Joseph Vijay Chandrasekhar is an Indian film actor. Vijay began his career doing minor roles as a child artist in the Tamil cinema industry, while also attending a theatre for stage plays, to follow his dream to act.After five years of minor and unnoticed roles in Tamil language films, he gained Indian cinema’s attention in 1996 by playing the role of Raja in Poove Unakkaga.  

His first blockbuster and since then Vijya has acted in over forty Indian films, with his main intention being Tamil language ventures, earning him the prestigious title of Ilayathalapathy in 1996.  The title name is now mentioned in the credits of all his projects. Vijay is currently the third most popular Indian actor of Tamil origin in the world after, senior actors, Kamal Haasan and Rajinikanth.

He comes from a family which has strong experience in the film industry. S. A. Chandrasekar, his father, is a popular director and mother Shobha is an accomplished playback singer. He performs predominantly in leading roles in high-budget and major studio films, ranging from romantic comedies and drama to science fiction and action thrillers.

His most popular films include Poove Unakkaga in 1996, Kadhalukku Mariyadhai in 1997, Ghilli in 2004, and Pokkiri in 2007.Vijay made his debut as a child artiste in the film, Vetri. His first film, as hero, was Naalaya Theerpu. Vijay hit films like Poove Unakkaga, Love Today, Nerrukku Ner, Once More, Kadhalukku Mariyadhai, Ninaithen Vandhai, Endrendrum Kadhal and Thulladha Manamum Thullum have, one after the other, helped him to establish himself as the next Tamil Super Star.

Vijay has also appeared in several commercials like Coca-Cola & Sunfeast Milky Magic Biscuit. Vijya is the youngest actor to have won the MGR award from the Tamil Nadu Government and Kalaimamani award.