A. L. Vijay: Difference between revisions

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{{not to be confused with|Vijay (actor)}}
{{short description|Indian film director and screenwriter (born 1979)}}
{{short description|Tamil film director}}
{{distinguish|Vijay (actor)}}
{{EngvarB|date=March 2014}}
{{Use British English|date=March 2014}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=May 2020}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=May 2020}}
{{Infobox person
{{Infobox person
| name              = A. L. Vijay
| name              = A. L. Vijay
| image              = AL Vijay at Devi(L) Success Meet.jpg
| image              = AL Vijay at Devi(L) Success Meet.jpg
| caption            = Vijay at Devi Success Meet
| caption            = Vijay promoting ''[[Devi (2016 film)|Devi]]'' in 2016
| birth_date        = {{birth date and age|df=y|1979|6|18}}
| birth_date        = {{birth date and age|1979|06|18|df=y}}
| birth_place       = [[Chennai]], [[Tamil Nadu]], [[India]]
| birth_place       = [[Chennai]], India
| occupation        = Film director, Dancer, Model
| occupation      = [[Film director]]
[[Screenwriter]]
| years_active      = 2000–Present
| years_active      = 2000–Present
| height            =  
| height            =  
| parents            = [[A. L. Azhagappan]] (father)
| parents            = [[A. L. Azhagappan]] (father)
| spouse             = {{unbulleted list|{{marriage|[[Amala Paul]]|2014|2017|reason=divorced}}|{{marriage|Dr. R. Aishwarya|2019}}}}
| relatives            = [[Udhaya (actor)|Udhaya]] (brother)
| spouses             = {{marriage|[[Amala Paul]]|2014|2017|end=divorced}}<br />{{marriage|R. Aishwarya|2019}}
| children          = 1
| children          = 1
}}
}}


'''A. L. Vijay''' (born 18 June 1979), credited by his mononym '''Vijay''', is an Indian [[film director]] who works in the [[Tamil film industry]]. An assistant director with [[Priyadarshan]],<ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20100329120032/http://www.jointscene.com/artists/Kollywood/A.L.Vijay/2462 Tamil Actor Vijay Filmography, Movies, Pictures and Videos]. Jointscene.com</ref> he debuted as director with films such as ''[[Kireedam (2007 film)|Kireedam]]'' and the critically acclaimed ''[[Madrasapattinam]]''. Vijay later directed big budget films ''[[Deiva Thirumagal]]'' and ''[[Thaandavam]]'', starring [[Vikram (actor)|Vikram]] in both films. His father [[A. L. Azhagappan]] was the President of Tamil Nadu Producers Council and appeared in the film ''[[Eesan]]''. His brother is the actor [[Udhaya (actor)|Udhaya]].<ref>[https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/regional/news-interviews/I-will-fight-to-the-finish-Udhaya/articleshow/6683845.cms?referral=PM Times of India]</ref>
'''A. L. Vijay'''<ref>{{Cite news |title=A.L.Vijay |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100329120032/http://www.jointscene.com/artists/Kollywood/A.L.Vijay/2462#films|work=Web archive}}</ref> (18 June 1979), known professionally as '''Vijay''', is an Indian film director and screenwriter who works in the [[Tamil film industry]]. An assistant director with [[Priyadarshan]], he debuted as director through the film ''[[Kireedam (2007 film)|Kireedam]]'' (2007) and gained popularity through the films ''[[Madrasapattinam]]'' (2010) and ''[[Deiva Thirumagal]]'' (2011).
 
==Background==
 
Vijay was born into a film family. His father, [[A. L. Azhagappan]], is a noted film producer and a former President of the Tamil Nadu Producers Council. Azhagappan has also appeared as character artist in some films, including the film ''[[Eesan]].'' Vijay's brother is the actor [[Udhaya (actor)|Udhaya]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/regional/news-interviews/I-will-fight-to-the-finish-Udhaya/articleshow/6683845.cms?referral=PM|title=I will fight to the finish: Udhaya|date=5 October 2010|work=The Times of India}}</ref>
 
==Personal life==
Vijay was briefly married to actress [[Amala Paul]] between 2014 and 2016–17. While Vijay belongs to a [[Tamil language|Tamil]]-speaking [[Hindu people|Hindu]] family, Amala comes from a [[Malayalis|Malayali]] [[Christian]] family.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/tamil/movies/news-interviews/Amala-Paul-drowned-in-love-drenched-in-care/articleshow/34235204.cms|title=Amala Paul drowned in love, drenched in care|work=[[The Times of India]]|date=16 January 2017 }}</ref> They got engaged on 7 June 2014 at a Church in [[Aluva]], [[Kerala]], using a ring for the ceremony,<ref>{{cite news|url=http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/tamil/movies/news-interviews/Vijay-Amala-Paul-to-tie-the-knot/articleshow/33392479.cms|title=Vijay, Amala Paul to tie the knot?|work=[[The Times of India]]}}</ref> and were married in a "traditional south Indian style wedding," presumably Hindu, on 12 June 2014 in [[Chennai]].<ref>{{cite web|title=Actress Amala Paul and filmmaker Vijay get married in Chennai|url=http://news.biharprabha.com/2014/06/actress-amala-paul-and-filmmaker-vijay-get-married-in-chennai/|work=Biharprabha.com|access-date=12 June 2014}}</ref> They separated in July 2016 and were granted a divorce by the courts in February 2017.
 
In July 2019, in a private family ceremony, Vijay married Dr. R. Aishwarya, a match arranged by their families.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.onmanorama.com/entertainment/entertainment-news/2019/07/01/amala-paul-al-vijay-ex-husband-bride-to-be-aishwarya.html|title=Meet AL Vijay's bride-to-be Dr R Aishwarya|website=Meet AL Vijay's bride-to-be Dr R Aishwarya}}</ref> On 30 May 2020, the couple had their first child, a baby boy.


==Career==
==Career==
Prior to directing films, Vijay was a successful [[advertisement]] filmmaker with the Mumbai-based banner ''Venus Productions'', completing more than 100 ad films. His [[State Bank of India]] commercial won [[CNBC]]'s Best Corporate Advertisement Award in 2006. Vijay has claimed that "advertisements teach you how to translate a story idea onto screen with maximum impact in minimum time" and is influenced by the ad works of Suraaj, Prahlad Kakkar and Babu Shankar.<ref name="hinduint">{{cite news| url=http://www.thehindu.com/arts/cinema/article795272.ece | location=Chennai | work=[[The Hindu]] | first=Subha J | last=Rao | title=Genre bender | date=25 September 2010}}</ref> In 2001, he began his career in feature films by joining [[Priyadarshan (director)|Priyadarshan]] as an assistant director in his films.


He made his directorial debut with ''[[Kireedam (2007 film)|Kireedam]]'' in 2007, a remake of the 1989 [[Kireedam (1989 film)|film of the same name]], directed by [[Sibi Malayil]] and written by [[A. K. Lohithadas]]. Vijay's version featured [[Ajith Kumar]] in the lead role with [[Trisha Krishnan]], [[Rajkiran]], [[Saranya Ponvannan|Saranya]] and [[Vivek (actor)|Vivek]] also as part of the cast, while the cinematographer was [[Tirru]], the music was composed by [[G. V. Prakash Kumar]] and the film was edited by [[Anthony (film editor)|Anthony]]. Vijay revealed that he "reworked about 80 per cent" from the original version and his first choice of male lead role was [[Vijay (actor)|Vijay]], however his role was grabbed by Ajith for his career security.<ref name="hinduint"/> The film opened to positive reviews with a critic from [[Sify]].com citing that Vijay had "a lot of guts and conviction to make a realistic film".<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.sify.com/movies/kireedam-review-tamil-14495306.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141011072241/http://www.sify.com/movies/kireedam-review-tamil-14495306.html |url-status=dead |archive-date=2014-10-11 |title=Movie Review:Kireedam|work=[[Sify]] |date=2007 |access-date=27 September 2011}}</ref> The reviewer from [[The Hindu]] also praised the film labelling that "Vijay has neatly packaged a strong story line with a sensibly balanced mix of sentiment and action.", but claimed that "Vijay could have worked on the lead character more."<ref>{{cite news| url=http://www.hindu.com/fr/2007/07/27/stories/2007072750480200.htm | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071014060510/http://hindu.com/fr/2007/07/27/stories/2007072750480200.htm | url-status=dead | archive-date=14 October 2007 | location=Chennai | work=[[The Hindu]] | title=Whose crown is it, anyway?&nbsp;– Kireedam | date=27 July 2007}}</ref> The final scene in the film was changed after release from a sad to an upbeat ending after the producers felt that the original scene may keep audiences away.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.sify.com/movies/kireedam-climax-changed-news-tamil-kkfuJFhchia.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121022121450/http://www.sify.com/movies/kireedam-climax-changed-news-tamil-kkfuJFhchia.html |url-status=dead |archive-date=22 October 2012 |title=Kireedam- Climax changed!|work=[[Sify]] |date=29 July 2007 |access-date=27 September 2011}}</ref> The film consequently went on to become a profitable venture at the box office.<ref>{{cite news| url=http://www.hindu.com/fr/2007/08/24/stories/2007082450900100.htm | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071015145938/http://hindu.com/fr/2007/08/24/stories/2007082450900100.htm | url-status=dead | archive-date=15 October 2007 | location=Chennai | work=[[The Hindu]] | title=It's all about choices | date=24 August 2007}}</ref> Vijay then returned to work as an assistant to [[Suraj (director)|Suraj]] in his action-masala ''[[Padikkadavan (2009 film)|Padikathavan]]'', by helping with the dialogues and described his work in the project as "a pulsating experience".<ref name="hinduint"/>
===2000–2008: Early Career ===


Vijay's next remake of the Hindi film ''[[Khosla Ka Ghosla]]'' in Tamil, under his production house, and hence they collaborated to make ''[[Poi Solla Porom]]''.<ref name="redmad">{{cite web|url=http://movies.rediff.com/slide-show/2010/jul/06/slide-show-1-south-interview-with-vijay.htm |title=Directing Madhrasapattinam|work=[[Rediff.com]] |date=6 July 2010 |access-date=27 September 2011}}</ref> The film was completed within 13 days, with a cast containing veteran actors such as [[Nassar (actor)|Nassar]] and [[Nedumudi Venu]] as well as relative newcomers including [[Karthik Kumar]] and [[Piaa Bajpai]].<ref name="redmad"/> The film also became one of the first ventures in Tamil cinema to feature a promotional song, with Vijay maintaining that the song reflected the story of the film.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.indiaglitz.com/channels/tamil/article/39460.html |title=Promotional song for 'Poi Solla Porom'&nbsp;– Tamil Movie News |work=IndiaGlitz |date=10 September 2008 |access-date=27 September 2011}}</ref> The film won positive reviews from critics with [[The Hindu]] citing that "Vijay’s dialogue, both humorous and thought-provoking, tickles the viewer almost throughout" and that "Vijay has understood the pulse of the audience even while sticking to his stand of providing standard fare".<ref>{{cite news| url=http://www.hindu.com/cp/2008/09/12/stories/2008091250090300.htm | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080915011203/http://www.hindu.com/cp/2008/09/12/stories/2008091250090300.htm | url-status=dead | archive-date=15 September 2008 | location=Chennai | work=[[The Hindu]] | title=Laugh, and pause to think | date=12 September 2008}}</ref>
Prior to directing films, Vijay was a successful [[advertisement]] filmmaker with the Mumbai-based banner ''Venus Productions'', completing more than 100 ad films. His [[State Bank of India]] commercial won [[CNBC]]'s Best Corporate Advertisement Award. Vijay has claimed that "advertisements teach you how to translate a story idea onto screen with maximum impact in minimum time" and is influenced by the ad works of Suraaj, Prahlad Kakkar and Babu Shankar.<ref name="hinduint">{{cite news| url=http://www.thehindu.com/arts/cinema/article795272.ece | location=Chennai | work=[[The Hindu]] | first=Subha J | last=Rao | title=Genre bender | date=25 September 2010}}</ref> He began his career in feature films by joining [[Priyadarshan]] as an assistant director in his films.


Vijay revealed that ''[[Madrasapattinam]]'' was supposed to happen later in his career, but the intervention of producer Kalpathi S. Aghoram of [[AGS Entertainment]] realized the viability of the film earlier.<ref name="hinduint"/> Vijay had first explored the script in his college days and drew inspiration from an English professor, who used to talk to them about the freedom movement a lot. Vijay visualized the people, who lived in the pre-independence period of India and explored the concept of how it would have been, if an English girl fell in love with an Indian boy, laying the foundations for the script.<ref name="redmad"/> The script took six months to write with the help of leading Tamil writer Prabanjan. He also visited independence veterans to understand the history of the city of [[Madras]] between 1945 and 1947.<ref name="redmad"/> [[Arya (actor)|Arya]] was finalised to play the lead role and English [[Miss Teen World]] winner [[Amy Jackson]] was selected after Vijay found a picture of her through the internet.<ref>{{cite news| url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/newstopics/howaboutthat/7948126/British-teenager-becomes-Bollywood-star.html | location=London | work=[[The Daily Telegraph]] | title=British teenager becomes Bollywood star | date=16 August 2010}}</ref> Despite being a period film, the film was finished in eight months and released in July 2010.<ref name="redmad"/>
He made his directorial debut with ''[[Kireedam (2007 film)|Kireedam]]'' in 2007, a remake of the 1989 [[Kireedam (1989 film)|film of the same name]], directed by [[Sibi Malayil]] and written by [[A. K. Lohithadas]]. Vijay's version featured [[Ajith Kumar]] in the lead role with [[Trisha Krishnan]], [[Rajkiran]], [[Saranya Ponvannan|Saranya]] and [[Vivek (actor)|Vivek]] also as part of the cast, while the cinematographer was [[Tirru]], the music was composed by [[G. V. Prakash Kumar]] and the film was edited by [[Anthony (film editor)|Anthony]]. Vijay revealed that he "reworked about 80 per cent" from the original version and his first choice of male lead role was [[Vijay (actor)|Vijay]], however his role was grabbed by Ajith for his career security.<ref name="hinduint"/> The film opened to positive reviews with a critic from [[Sify]].com citing that Vijay had "a lot of guts and conviction to make a realistic film".<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.sify.com/movies/kireedam-review-tamil-14495306.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141011072241/http://www.sify.com/movies/kireedam-review-tamil-14495306.html |url-status=dead |archive-date=2014-10-11 |title=Movie Review:Kireedam|work=[[Sify]] |date=2007 |access-date=27 September 2011}}</ref> The reviewer from [[The Hindu]] also praised the film labelling that "Vijay has neatly packaged a strong story line with a sensibly balanced mix of sentiment and action.", but claimed that "Vijay could have worked on the lead character more."<ref>{{cite news| url=http://www.hindu.com/fr/2007/07/27/stories/2007072750480200.htm | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071014060510/http://hindu.com/fr/2007/07/27/stories/2007072750480200.htm | url-status=dead | archive-date=14 October 2007 | location=Chennai | work=[[The Hindu]] | title=Whose crown is it, anyway?&nbsp;– Kireedam | date=27 July 2007}}</ref> The final scene in the film was changed after release from a sad to an upbeat ending after the producers felt that the original scene may keep audiences away.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.sify.com/movies/kireedam-climax-changed-news-tamil-kkfuJFhchia.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121022121450/http://www.sify.com/movies/kireedam-climax-changed-news-tamil-kkfuJFhchia.html |url-status=dead |archive-date=22 October 2012 |title=Kireedam- Climax changed!|work=[[Sify]] |date=29 July 2007 |access-date=27 September 2011}}</ref> The film consequently went on to become a profitable venture at the box office.<ref>{{cite news| url=http://www.hindu.com/fr/2007/08/24/stories/2007082450900100.htm | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071015145938/http://hindu.com/fr/2007/08/24/stories/2007082450900100.htm | url-status=dead | archive-date=15 October 2007 | location=Chennai | work=[[The Hindu]] | title=It's all about choices | date=24 August 2007}}</ref> Vijay then returned to work as an assistant to [[Suraj (director)|Suraj]] in his action-masala ''[[Padikkadavan (2009 film)|Padikathavan]]'', by helping with the dialogues and described his work in the project as "a pulsating experience".<ref name="hinduint"/> Vijay's next remake of the Hindi film ''[[Khosla Ka Ghosla]]'' in Tamil, under his production house, and hence they collaborated to make ''[[Poi Solla Porom]]''.<ref name="redmad">{{cite web|url=http://movies.rediff.com/slide-show/2010/jul/06/slide-show-1-south-interview-with-vijay.htm |title=Directing Madhrasapattinam|work=[[Rediff.com]] |date=6 July 2010 |access-date=27 September 2011}}</ref> The film was completed within 13 days, with a cast containing veteran actors such as [[Nassar (actor)|Nassar]] and [[Nedumudi Venu]] as well as relative newcomers including [[Karthik Kumar]] and [[Piaa Bajpai]].<ref name="redmad"/> The film also became one of the first ventures in Tamil cinema to feature a promotional song, with Vijay maintaining that the song reflected the story of the film.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.indiaglitz.com/channels/tamil/article/39460.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080623074822/http://www.indiaglitz.com/channels/tamil/article/39460.html |url-status=dead |archive-date=23 June 2008 |title=Promotional song for 'Poi Solla Porom'&nbsp;– Tamil Movie News |work=IndiaGlitz |date=10 September 2008 |access-date=27 September 2011}}</ref> The film won positive reviews from critics with [[The Hindu]] citing that "Vijay's dialogue, both humorous and thought-provoking, tickles the viewer almost throughout" and that "Vijay has understood the pulse of the audience even while sticking to his stand of providing standard fare".<ref>{{cite news| url=http://www.hindu.com/cp/2008/09/12/stories/2008091250090300.htm | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080915011203/http://www.hindu.com/cp/2008/09/12/stories/2008091250090300.htm | url-status=dead | archive-date=15 September 2008 | location=Chennai | work=[[The Hindu]] | title=Laugh, and pause to think | date=12 September 2008}}</ref>


The production of the film, [[Deiva Thirumagal]] took five months from start to finish, however, Vijay claimed that the film had been in his plans for four years, but he waited for Vikram to give him dates.<ref name="reddtm">{{cite web|url=http://www.rediff.com/movies/slide-show/slide-show-1-south-interview-with-vijay/20110714.htm |title=I like to portray human values in my films|work=[[Rediff]]|date=14 July 2011 |access-date=27 September 2011}}</ref> [[Amala Paul]] was selected after Vijay was pleased with her award-winning work in ''[[Mynaa]]''.<ref name="reddtm"/> Sara had appeared in a commercial for Vijay when she was two, but he then lost touch with Sara's family, before he met them and cast Sara in ''Deiva Thirumagal'', following a visit to Mumbai.<ref name="sarahindu">{{cite news|author=Chowdary, Sunita|date=4 June 2011|title=Que Sara Sara|access-date=29 July 2011|url=http://www.hindu.com/mp/2011/06/04/stories/2011060450930200.htm|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121110134908/http://www.hindu.com/mp/2011/06/04/stories/2011060450930200.htm|url-status=dead|archive-date=10 November 2012|location=Chennai | work=[[The Hindu]]}}</ref>
===2010–2015: Critical Acclaim ===


Vijay directed the [[Harris: On The Edge]] concerts by music composer [[Harris Jayaraj]].<ref>{{cite web |author=Harris on the Edge Concert |url=http://tamilwire.com/25802-harris-edge-concert.html |title=Harris on the Edge Concert |work=TamilWire.com |date=2 September 2011 |access-date=27 September 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110929150450/http://tamilwire.com/25802-harris-edge-concert.html |archive-date=29 September 2011 |url-status=dead }}</ref>
Vijay revealed that ''[[Madrasapattinam]]'' (2010) was supposed to happen later in his career, but the intervention of producer Kalpathi S. Aghoram of [[AGS Entertainment]] realized the viability of the film earlier.<ref name="hinduint"/> Vijay had first explored the script in his college days and drew inspiration from an English professor, who used to talk to them about the freedom movement a lot. Vijay visualized the people, who lived in the pre-independence period of India and explored the concept of how it would have been, if an English girl fell in love with an Indian boy, laying the foundations for the script.<ref name="redmad"/> The script took six months to write with the help of leading Tamil writer Prabanjan. He also visited independence veterans to understand the history of the city of [[Madras]] between 1945 and 1947.<ref name="redmad"/> [[Arya (actor)|Arya]] was finalised to play the lead role and English [[Miss Teen World]] winner [[Amy Jackson]] was selected after Vijay found a picture of her through the internet.<ref>{{cite news| url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/newstopics/howaboutthat/7948126/British-teenager-becomes-Bollywood-star.html | location=London | work=[[The Daily Telegraph]] | title=British teenager becomes Bollywood star | date=16 August 2010}}</ref> Despite being a period film, the film was finished in eight months and released in July 2010.<ref name="redmad"/> The production of the film, ''[[Deiva Thirumagal]]'' (2011) took five months from start to finish, however, Vijay claimed that the film had been in his plans for four years, but he waited for Vikram to give him dates.<ref name="reddtm">{{cite web|url=http://www.rediff.com/movies/slide-show/slide-show-1-south-interview-with-vijay/20110714.htm |title=I like to portray human values in my films|work=[[Rediff]]|date=14 July 2011 |access-date=27 September 2011}}</ref> [[Amala Paul]] was selected after Vijay was pleased with her award-winning work in ''[[Mynaa]]''.<ref name="reddtm"/> Sara had appeared in a commercial for Vijay when she was two, but he then lost touch with Sara's family, before he met them and cast Sara in ''Deiva Thirumagal'', following a visit to Mumbai.<ref name="sarahindu">{{cite news|author=Chowdary, Sunita|date=4 June 2011|title=Que Sara Sara|access-date=29 July 2011|url=http://www.hindu.com/mp/2011/06/04/stories/2011060450930200.htm|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121110134908/http://www.hindu.com/mp/2011/06/04/stories/2011060450930200.htm|url-status=dead|archive-date=10 November 2012|location=Chennai | work=[[The Hindu]]}}</ref> Vijay directed the [[Harris: On The Edge]] concerts by music composer [[Harris Jayaraj]].<ref>{{cite web |author=Harris on the Edge Concert |url=http://tamilwire.com/25802-harris-edge-concert.html |title=Harris on the Edge Concert |work=TamilWire.com |date=2 September 2011 |access-date=27 September 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110929150450/http://tamilwire.com/25802-harris-edge-concert.html |archive-date=29 September 2011 |url-status=usurped }}</ref> In 2013, he worked with [[Vijay (actor)|Vijay]] alongside [[Amala Paul]] for the movie ''[[Thalaivaa]]''. Despite winning good reviews, the film's delayed release in Tamil Nadu due to protests greatly affected the box office performance in Tamil Nadu, thus ending up as an average grosser. After working with top stars Ajith, Vijay and Vikram in his previous films, Vijay has decided to go with lesser known faces in ''[[Saivam]]'' (2014). Veteran actor [[Nassar (actor)|Nassar]] and [[Sara Arjun]] of ''Deiva Thirumagal'' fame play the lead roles. Director Vijay very subtly tries to put across his message of promoting animal welfare and encouraging vegetarianism in the film. <ref>{{Cite news |title=Review: Saivam is worth a watch|url=https://www.rediff.com/movies/review/review-saivam-is-worth-a-watch-south/20140627.htm |access-date=2014-06-27|work=Rediff}}</ref> His next project is the romantic comedy film, ''[[Idhu Enna Maayam]]'' (2015).<ref>{{Cite news |title=IDHU ENNA MAYAM MOVIE REVIEW|url=https://www.behindwoods.com/tamil-movies/idhu-enna-mayam/idhu-enna-mayam-review.html |access-date=2015-07-31 |work=Behindwoods}}</ref>


In 2013, he worked with [[Vijay (actor)|Vijay]] alongside Amala Paul for the movie ''[[Thalaivaa]]''. Despite winning good reviews, the film's delayed release in Tamil Nadu due to protests greatly affected the box office performance in Tamil Nadu, thus ending up as an average grosser.
===2016–present===


In February 2016, he was named as a director of [[Prabhu Deva]]{{'s}} trilingual film ''Devi'' opposite [[Tamannaah]] which was made in [[Tamil Language|Tamil]], [[Telugu language|Telugu]] and [[Hindi]]. This marked his debut in Telugu and Hindi languages.<ref name="Tamannaah">{{cite news|title=Prabhu Deva to Act in Trilingual|url=http://www.newindianexpress.com/entertainment/tamil/Prabhu-Deva-to-Act-in-Trilingual/2016/02/02/article3256271.ece|access-date=28 July 2016|work=[[The New Indian Express]]|date=2 February 2016}}</ref>
In February 2016, he was named as a director of [[Prabhu Deva]]{{'s}} trilingual film ''[[Devi (2016 film)|Devi]]'' opposite [[Tamannaah]] which was made in [[Tamil language|Tamil]], [[Telugu language|Telugu]] and [[Hindi]]. This marked his debut in Telugu and Hindi languages.<ref name="Tamannaah">{{cite news|title=Prabhu Deva to Act in Trilingual|url=http://www.newindianexpress.com/entertainment/tamil/Prabhu-Deva-to-Act-in-Trilingual/2016/02/02/article3256271.ece|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160202102447/http://www.newindianexpress.com/entertainment/tamil/Prabhu-Deva-to-Act-in-Trilingual/2016/02/02/article3256271.ece|url-status=dead|archive-date=2 February 2016|access-date=28 July 2016|work=[[The New Indian Express]]|date=2 February 2016}}</ref> He reunites again with Prabhu Deva in the films ''[[Lakshmi (2018 film)|Lakshmi]]'' (2018) and ''[[Devi 2]]'' (2019), simultaneously shot in Telugu as ''Abhinetri 2''.<ref>{{Cite news |title='Lakshmi' movie review: Gets most of its moves right|url=https://www.newindianexpress.com/entertainment/review/2018/Aug/25/lakshmi-movie-review-gets-most-of-its-moves-right-1862302.html |access-date=2018-08-25 |work=The New Indian Express}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |title=‘Devi 2’ — Prabhu Deva and Tamannaah’s horror comedy is a big yawn! |url=https://dailytimes.com.pk/405104/devi-2-prabhu-deva-and-tamannaahs-horror-comedy-is-a-big-yawn/ |access-date=2019-06-01 |work=Daily Times}}</ref>


==Style of work==
In 2021, he directed a [[biographical film|biographical drama]] film ''[[Thalaivii]]'' based on the life of Indian actress-turned chief minister [[J. Jayalalithaa]]. The film starred [[Kangana Ranaut]] as the main protagonist Jayalalithaa and [[Arvind Swami]] as [[M. G. Ramachandran]].<ref>{{cite news |title='Thalaivi' Trailer To Be Released on Kangana Ranaut's Birthday |url=https://www.thequint.com/entertainment/indian-cinema/thalaivi-trailer-to-be-launched-on-lead-actor-kangana-ranauts-birthday-in-massive-event |access-date=19 March 2021 |work=TheQuint |date=18 March 2021 |language=en}}</ref> The bilingual film was shot in [[Tamil language|Tamil]] and [[Hindi language|Hindi]] simultaneously. He directed a horror thriller film, ''[[Boo (2023 film)|Boo]]'' (2023), after the rather forgettable ''[[Diya (film)|Diya]]''.<ref>{{Cite news |title='Boo' movie review: When the script is more dead than the ghosts
|url=https://www.newindianexpress.com/entertainment/tamil/2023/May/29/boo-movie-review-when-the-script-is-more-dead-than-the-ghosts-2579738.html |access-date=2023-05-29 |work=The New Indian Express}}</ref> In 2024, the action thriller film ''[[Mission: Chapter 1]]'' starring [[Arun Vijay]] and [[Amy Jackson]] in lead roles was released.<ref>{{Cite news |title=Mission: Chapter 1 Review: Archaic and rudimentary narrative makes this mission a failure  |url=https://www.cinemaexpress.com/tamil/review/2024/Jan/12/mission-chapter-1-review-archaic-and-rudimentary-narrative-makes-this-mission-a-failure-51176.html |access-date=2024-01-12 |work=Cinema Express}}</ref>
 
==Craft, style, and technical collaborations==
Vijay has described that he wants his audience "to immerse themselves" in his films, and hence uses scenes which reflect the local culture, explaining that his scenes should mirror society and "lend it an element of timelessness".<ref name="hinduint"/> He revealed that while constructing a film, he "first thinks of the plot, then the screenplay and then the characters", and tries to portray human values in his films.<ref name="reddtm"/>
Vijay has described that he wants his audience "to immerse themselves" in his films, and hence uses scenes which reflect the local culture, explaining that his scenes should mirror society and "lend it an element of timelessness".<ref name="hinduint"/> He revealed that while constructing a film, he "first thinks of the plot, then the screenplay and then the characters", and tries to portray human values in his films.<ref name="reddtm"/>


He has expressed that he prefers "to mould actors" telling them to react and not act, drawing such inspiration from the work of [[Suraaj]].
He has expressed that he prefers "to mould actors," telling them to react and not act, drawing such inspiration from the work of [[Suraaj]].


Furthermore, Vijay has showed interest in training people and mentoring their careers, citing that he likes to be the oldest member of his crew.<ref name="hinduint"/> His films have a "regular crew" which includes cinematographer [[Nirav Shah]], music director [[G. V. Prakash Kumar]] (until ''[[Devi (2016 film)|Devi]]''), production designer Selva Kumar and editor [[Anthony (film editor)|Anthony]].<ref>{{cite news| url=http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2010-08-30/news-interviews/28314499_1_period-film-vikram-production-designer | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120923132423/http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2010-08-30/news-interviews/28314499_1_period-film-vikram-production-designer | url-status=dead | archive-date=23 September 2012 | work=[[The Times of India]] | title=Director Vijay is in demand | date=30 August 2010}}</ref>
Furthermore, Vijay has shown interest in training people and mentoring their careers, citing that he likes to be the oldest member of his crew.<ref name="hinduint"/> His films have a "regular crew" which includes cinematographer [[Nirav Shah]], music director [[G. V. Prakash Kumar]] (being his regular music composer until ''[[Devi (2016 film)|Devi]]''), production designer Selva Kumar, and editor [[Anthony (film editor)|Anthony]].<ref>{{cite news| url=http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2010-08-30/news-interviews/28314499_1_period-film-vikram-production-designer | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120923132423/http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2010-08-30/news-interviews/28314499_1_period-film-vikram-production-designer | url-status=dead | archive-date=23 September 2012 | work=[[The Times of India]] | title=Director Vijay is in demand | date=30 August 2010}}</ref>


==Personal life==
===Frequent collaborators===
On 26 April 2014, Vijay said that he was in a relationship with actress [[Amala Paul]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/tamil/movies/news-interviews/Amala-Paul-drowned-in-love-drenched-in-care/articleshow/34235204.cms|title=Amala Paul drowned in love, drenched in care|work=[[The Times of India]]}}</ref> On 7 June 2014 he got engaged to Amala in [[Aluva]], [[Kochi]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/tamil/movies/news-interviews/Vijay-Amala-Paul-to-tie-the-knot/articleshow/33392479.cms|title=Vijay, Amala Paul to tie the knot?|work=[[The Times of India]]}}</ref> The couple got married on 12 June in [[Chennai]].<ref>{{cite web|title=Actress Amala Paul and filmmaker Vijay get married in Chennai|url=http://news.biharprabha.com/2014/06/actress-amala-paul-and-filmmaker-vijay-get-married-in-chennai/|work=Biharprabha.com|access-date=12 June 2014}}</ref> In July 2016, they decided to separate, and in February 2017, they were declared officially divorced.
{| class="wikitable sortable"
 
! scope="col" | Collaborator
In July 2019, he married Dr.R.Aishwarya. On 30th May 2020, his wife gave birth to their first child, a baby boy.
! scope="col" | {{Ubl | ''[[Kireedam (2007 film)|Kireedam]]'' | (2007)}}
! scope="col" | {{Ubl | ''[[Poi Solla Porom]]'' | (2008)}}
! scope="col" | {{Ubl | ''[[Madrasapattinam]]'' | (2010)}}
! scope="col" | {{Ubl | ''[[Deiva Thirumagal]]'' | (2011)}}
! scope="col" | {{Ubl | ''[[Thaandavam]]'' | (2012)}}
! scope="col" | {{Ubl | ''[[Thalaivaa]]'' | (2013)}}
! scope="col" | {{Ubl | ''[[Saivam]]'' | (2014)}}
! scope="col" | {{Ubl | ''[[Idhu Enna Maayam]]'' | (2015)}}
! scope="col" | {{Ubl | ''[[Devi (2016 film)|Devi / Abhinetri / Tutak Tutak Tutiya]]'' | (2016)}}
! scope="col" | {{Ubl | ''[[Vanamagan]]'' | (2017)}}
! scope="col" | {{Ubl | ''[[Diya (film)|Diya / Kanam]]'' | (2018)}}
! scope="col" | {{Ubl | ''[[Lakshmi (2018 film)|Lakshmi]]'' | (2018)}}
! scope="col" | {{Ubl | ''[[Watchman (film)|Watchman]]'' | (2019)}}
! scope="col" | {{Ubl | ''[[Devi 2|Devi 2 / Abhinetri 2]]'' | (2019)}}
! scope="col" | {{Ubl | ''[[Thalaivii]]'' | (2021)}}
! scope="col" | {{Ubl | ''[[Boo (2023 film)|Boo]]'' | (2023)}}
! scope="col" | {{Ubl | ''[[Mission: Chapter 1]]'' | (2024)}}
|-
| [[G. V. Prakash Kumar]]
| {{ya}}
|
| {{ya}}
| {{ya}}
| {{ya}}
| {{ya}}
| {{ya}}
| {{ya}}
|
|
|
|
| {{ya}} (also acted)
| {{ya}}
| {{ya}}
| {{ya}}
|
|-
| [[Anthony (film editor)|Anthony]]
| {{ya}}
| {{ya}}
| {{ya}}
| {{ya}}
| {{ya}}
| {{ya}}
| {{ya}}
| {{ya}}
| {{ya}}
| {{ya}}
| {{ya}}
| {{ya}}
| {{ya}}
| {{ya}}
|
| {{ya}}
| {{ya}}
|-
| [[Nirav Shah]]
| {{ya}}
|
| {{ya}}
| {{ya}}
| {{ya}}
| {{ya}}
| {{ya}}
| {{ya}}
|
|
| {{ya}}
| {{ya}}
| {{ya}}
|
|
|
|
|-
| [[Nassar (actor)|Nassar]]
|
| {{ya}}
| {{ya}}
| {{ya}}
| {{ya}}
| {{ya}}
| {{ya}}
| {{ya}}
| {{ya}} (''Devi'' and ''Tutak Tutak Tutiya'')
|
|
|
|
|
| {{ya}}
|
|
|-
| [[George Maryan]]
|
| {{ya}}
| {{ya}}
| {{ya}}
|
|
| {{ya}}
|
|
|
| {{ya}}
|
|
|
|
|
|
|-
| [[Raj Arjun]]
|
|
|
|
| {{ya}}
| {{ya}}
|
|
| {{ya}}
|
|
|
| {{ya}}
|
| {{ya}}
|
|
|-
| [[Amy Jackson]]
|
|
| {{ya}}
|
| {{ya}}
|
|
|
| {{ya}} (cameo)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| {{ya}}
|-
| [[Santhanam (actor)|Santhanam]]
| {{ya}}
|
|
| {{ya}}
| {{ya}}
| {{ya}}
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|-
| [[RJ Balaji]]
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| {{ya}}
| {{ya}}
|
| {{ya}} (''Diya'')
|
|
| {{ya}} (''Devi 2'')
|
|
|
|-
| [[M. S. Bhaskar]]
| {{ya}}
|
| {{ya}}
| {{ya}}
| {{ya}}
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|-
| [[Balaji Venugopal]]
|
| {{ya}}
| {{ya}}
|
| {{ya}}
|
|
| {{ya}}
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| {{ya}} (dialogues)
|
|-
| [[Ajayan Bala]]
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| {{ya}}
| {{ya}}
|
| {{ya}}
| {{ya}}
|
|
|-
| Jayakumar
| {{ya}}
|
| {{ya}}
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| {{ya}}
|
|
|
| {{ya}}
|
|
|-  
| Sathya
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| {{ya}}
|
| {{ya}} (''Kanam'')
| {{ya}}
|
| {{ya}}
|
|
|
|}


== Filmography ==
== Filmography ==
Line 54: Line 350:
| Denotes films that have not yet been released
| Denotes films that have not yet been released
|}
|}
===As film director===
{| class="wikitable sortable"
{| class="wikitable sortable"
|-
|-
Line 59: Line 356:
! rowspan="2" style="width:150px;"| Film
! rowspan="2" style="width:150px;"| Film
! colspan="3" style="width:195px;"| Credited as
! colspan="3" style="width:195px;"| Credited as
! rowspan="2" style="text-align:center; width:80px;"| Language
! rowspan="2" style="width:80px;"| Language
! rowspan="2" style="text-align:center; width:350px;" class="unsortable"| Notes
! rowspan="2" style="width:350px;" class="unsortable"| Notes
|-
|-
! style="width:65px;" | Director
! style="width:65px;" | Director
Line 66: Line 363:
! width=65 | Producer
! width=65 | Producer
|-
|-
| 2007 || ''[[Kireedam (2007 film)|Kireedam]]''|| style="text-align:center;"| {{y}} || style="text-align:center;"| {{y}} || style="text-align:center;"| {{n}} || [[Tamil Language|Tamil]] ||
| 2007 || ''[[Kireedam (2007 film)|Kireedam]]''|| {{yes}} || {{partial|Screenplay,<br />dialogues}} || {{no}} || rowspan="8" | [[Tamil language|Tamil]] ||
|-
| 2008 || ''[[Poi Solla Porom]]'' || style="text-align:center;"| {{y}} || style="text-align:center;"| {{y}}||style="text-align:center;"| {{n}} || Tamil ||
|-
|-
| 2010 || ''[[Madrasapattinam]]'' || style="text-align:center;"| {{y}} || style="text-align:center;"| {{y}} ||style="text-align:center;"| {{n}} ||Tamil ||Nominated, [[Filmfare Award for Best Director&nbsp;– Tamil]]<br>Nominated, [[Vijay Award for Best Director]]
| 2008 || ''[[Poi Solla Porom]]'' || {{yes}} || {{partial|Screenplay,<br />dialogues}} || {{no}} ||
|-
|-
| 2011 || ''[[Deiva Thirumagal]]'' || style="text-align:center;"| {{y}} || style="text-align:center;"| {{y}} ||style="text-align:center;"| {{n}} || Tamil || [[Tamil Nadu State Film Award for Best Director]]<br>[[Tamil Nadu State Film Award for Best Film]] (Second prize)<br> Nominated, [[Filmfare Award for Best Director&nbsp;– Tamil]]
| 2010 || ''[[Madrasapattinam]]'' || {{yes}} || {{yes}} || {{no}} ||Nominated, [[Filmfare Award for Best Director – Tamil]]<br />
Nominated, [[Vijay Award for Best Director]]
|-
|-
| 2012 || ''[[Thaandavam]]'' || style="text-align:center;"| {{y}} || style="text-align:center;"| {{y}} ||style="text-align:center;"| {{n}} ||Tamil ||
| 2011 || ''[[Deiva Thirumagal]]'' || {{yes}} || {{yes}} || {{no}} || [[Tamil Nadu State Film Award for Best Director]]<br />
[[Tamil Nadu State Film Award for Best Film]] (Second prize)<br />Nominated, [[Filmfare Award for Best Director – Tamil]]
|-
|-
| 2013 || ''[[Thalaivaa]]'' || style="text-align:center;"| {{y}} || style="text-align:center;"| {{y}} ||style="text-align:center;"| {{n}} ||Tamil ||
| 2012 || ''[[Thaandavam]]'' || {{yes}} || {{yes}} || {{no}} ||
|-
|-
| 2014 || ''[[Saivam]]'' || style="text-align:center;"| {{y}} || style="text-align:center;"| {{y}}||style="text-align:center;"| {{n}} || Tamil ||
| 2013 || ''[[Thalaivaa]]'' || {{yes}} || {{yes}} || {{no}} ||
|-
|-
| rowspan=2|2015 || ''[[Idhu Enna Maayam]]'' || style="text-align:center;"| {{y}} || style="text-align:center;"| {{y}}||style="text-align:center;"|{{n}}|| Tamil ||
| 2014 || ''[[Saivam]]'' || {{yes}} || {{yes}}|| {{no}} ||
|-
|-
| ''[[Oru Naal Iravil]]'' || style="text-align:center;"| {{n}} || style="text-align:center;"| {{n}} ||style="text-align:center;"|{{y}} || Tamil ||
| 2015 || ''[[Idhu Enna Maayam]]'' || {{yes}} || {{yes}}|| {{no}} ||
|-
|-
| rowspan=3|2016 || ''[[Devi (2016 film)|Devi]]''  || rowspan=3 style="text-align:center;"| {{y}} || rowspan=3 style="text-align:center;"| {{y}} ||rowspan=3 style="text-align:center;"| {{n}} || Tamil||
| rowspan=3| 2016 || ''[[Devi (2016 film)|Devi]]''  || rowspan=3 {{yes}} || rowspan=3 {{yes}} || rowspan=3 {{no}}  
| Tamil ||
|-  
|-  
| ''[[Devi (2016 film)|Abhinetri]]'' || [[Telugu Language|Telugu]] ||
| ''[[Devi (2016 film)|Abhinetri]]'' || [[Telugu language|Telugu]]  
|
|-
|-
| ''[[Devi (2016 film)|Tutak Tutak Tutiya]]'' || [[Hindi Language|Hindi]] ||
| ''[[Devi (2016 film)|Tutak Tutak Tutiya]]'' || [[Hindi]]  
|
|-
|-
| 2017 || ''[[Vanamagan]]''  || style="text-align:center;"| {{y}} || style="text-align:center;"| {{y}} ||style="text-align:center;"|{{Y}} || Tamil ||
| 2017 || ''[[Vanamagan]]''  || {{yes}} || {{yes}} || {{yes}} || rowspan="2" | Tamil ||
|-
|-
| rowspan=4|2018 ||''[[Diya (film)|Diya]]'' || rowspan=2 style="text-align:center;"| {{y}} || rowspan=2 style="text-align:center;"| {{y}} ||rowspan=2 style="text-align:center;"|{{n}} || Tamil ||
| rowspan=3| 2018 || ''[[Diya (film)|Diya]]'' || rowspan=2 {{yes}} || rowspan=2 {{yes}} || rowspan=2 {{no}} ||
|-
|-
| ''[[Diya (film)|Kanam]]'' || Telugu ||
| ''[[Diya (film)|Kanam]]'' || Telugu ||
|-
|-
| ''[[Sometimes (film)|Sila Samayangalil]]'' || style="text-align:center;"| {{n}} || style="text-align:center;"| {{n}} ||style="text-align:center;"|{{y}} || Tamil ||
| ''[[Lakshmi (2018 film)|Lakshmi]]'' || {{yes}} || {{yes}} || {{no}} || rowspan="3" |  Tamil || partially reshot in Telugu
|-
| rowspan=3| 2019 || ''[[Watchman (film)|Watchman]]'' || {{yes}} || {{yes}} || {{no}} ||
|-
| ''[[Devi 2]]'' || rowspan=2 {{yes}} || rowspan=2 {{yes}} || rowspan=2 {{no}} ||
|-
|-
| ''[[Lakshmi (2018 film)|Lakshmi]]'' || style="text-align:center;"| {{y}} || style="text-align:center;"| {{y}} ||style="text-align:center;"|{{n}} || Tamil ||
| ''[[Devi 2|Abhinetri 2]]'' || Telugu ||
|-
|-
|rowspan=3|2019 ||''[[Watchman (film)|Watchman]]'' || style="text-align:center;"| {{y}} || style="text-align:center;"| {{y}} ||style="text-align:center;"|{{n}} || Tamil ||
| rowspan="3" | 2021 || ''[[Kutty Story]]'' || {{yes}} || {{yes}} || {{no}} || Tamil ||  Segment: ''Avanum Naanum''<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.thenewsminute.com/article/vijay-sethupathi-amala-paul-part-upcoming-tamil-anthology-kutti-love-story-142638|title=Vijay Sethupathi, Amala Paul part of upcoming Tamil anthology 'Kutti Love Story'|work=[[The News Minute]]|date=2 February 2021|access-date=6 February 2021}}</ref>
|-
|-
| ''[[Devi 2]]'' || rowspan=2 style="text-align:center;"| {{y}} || rowspan=2 style="text-align:center;"| {{y}} ||rowspan=2 style="text-align:center;"|{{n}} || Tamil ||
| rowspan="2" | ''[[Thalaivii]]'' || rowspan="2" {{yes}} || rowspan="2" {{no}} || rowspan="2" {{no}}
| Hindi
| rowspan="4" |Bilingual film
|-
|-
| ''[[Devi 2|Abhinetri 2]]'' || Telugu ||
| Tamil
|-
|-
| rowspan="2" | 2021
| rowspan="2" | 2023
| [[Kutty Story]]
| rowspan="2"| ''[[Boo (2023 film)|Boo]]''
| style="text-align:center;" | {{y}}
| rowspan="2" {{yes}}
| style="text-align:center;" | {{n}}
| rowspan="2" {{yes}}
| style="text-align:center;" | {{n}}
| rowspan="2" {{no}}
| Tamil
| Tamil
| <ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.thenewsminute.com/article/vijay-sethupathi-amala-paul-part-upcoming-tamil-anthology-kutti-love-story-142638|title=Vijay Sethupathi, Amala Paul part of upcoming Tamil anthology 'Kutti Love Story'|work=[[The News Minute]]|date=2 February 2021|access-date=6 February 2021}}</ref>
|-
|-
|''[[Thalaivi]]'' {{Dagger}}|| style="text-align:center;" | {{y}}||style="text-align:center;"| {{n}} ||
| Telugu
|Hindi<br />Tamil<br />Telugu
|Filming
|-
|-
|2021
| 2024 ||  ''[[Mission: Chapter 1]]'' || {{yes}} || {{partial|Dialogues}} || {{no}} || rowspan="2" | Tamil || |
|''October 31st Ladies Night'' {{Dagger}}
|-
|{{Y}}
| rowspan="4" | 2026 ||  ''[[Kadhal Reset Repeat]]'' || {{yes}} || {{partial|Screenplay,<br />story}} || {{yes}} || 
|{{Y}}
|-
|{{N}}
| rowspan="2" |''Circle''
|rowspan="2" {{yes}}
|rowspan="2"|
|rowspan="2" {{no}}
|Tamil
|Tamil
Telugu
| rowspan="2" |<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.deccanchronicle.com/entertainment/kangana-ranauts-psychological-thriller-titledcirclea-dussehra-release-will-see-the-same-individual-playing-doctor-and-patient-1892078|title=Kangana Ranaut's psychological thriller titled,'Circle'a Dussehra release will see the same individual playing Doctor and Patient??|first=Lipika|last=Varma|date=17 July 2025|website=www.deccanchronicle.com}}</ref>
|Filming
|-
|Hindi
|-
| ''Untitled Racing Documentary ft. Ajith Kumar''
| {{yes}}
|
|
|Tamil
|<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.cinemaexpress.com/tamil/news/2026/Feb/27/ajith-kumar-al-vijay-project-is-a-feature-length-film-buzz|title=Ajith Kumar-AL Vijay project is a feature-length film: Buzz|date=27 February 2026|website=Cinema Express}}</ref>
|}
 
===As writer and presenter===
{| class="wikitable sortable"
! rowspan="2" |Year
! rowspan="2" |Title
! colspan="2" |Credited as
! rowspan="2" |Language
! rowspan="2" |Notes
|-
! scope="col" | Writer
!Presenter
|-
| 2015
| ''[[Oru Naal Iravil]]'' || {{No}}
| {{yes}}
| rowspan="3" |Tamil
|
|-
| 2018 || ''[[Sometimes (film)|Sila Samayangalil]]'' || {{partial|Dialogues}}
| {{No}}
|-
| 2021
|''[[Chithirai Sevvanam]]''
| {{partial|Story}}
|{{yes}}
|
|-
|}
 
===Television===
{| class="wikitable sortable"
! rowspan="2" |Year
! rowspan="2" |Title
! colspan="2" |Credited as
! rowspan="2" |Language
! rowspan="2" |Network
|-
! scope="col" | Creator
! Director
|-
| 2021
| ''[[Five Six Seven Eight]]''
| {{yes}}
| {{yes}}
|Tamil
| Zee5
|-
|}
|}


==References==
==References==
{{Reflist|30em}}
{{Reflist|30em}}
September 2011). "Harris on the Edge Concert" .TamilWire.com. Archived from the original on 29 September 2011
tamilwire.com/25802-harris-edge-concert.html


== External links ==
== External links ==
Line 139: Line 499:
{{A. L. Vijay}}
{{A. L. Vijay}}
{{TamilNaduStateAwardForBestDirector}}
{{TamilNaduStateAwardForBestDirector}}
{{Authority control}}


{{DEFAULTSORT:Vijay}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Vijay, A. L.}}
[[Category:Tamil film directors]]
[[Category:Tamil film directors]]
[[Category:Living people]]
[[Category:Living people]]
[[Category:People from Tamil Nadu]]
[[Category:Film directors from Tamil Nadu]]
[[Category:1981 births]]
[[Category:1979 births]]

Latest revision as of 20:58, 13 March 2026


Not to be confused with Vijay (actor).

A. L. Vijay
Vijay promoting Devi in 2016
Born (1979-06-18) 18 June 1979 (age 47)
Chennai, India
OccupationFilm director Screenwriter
Years active2000–Present
Spouse(s)
​
(
m. 2014; div. 2017)

R. Aishwarya
(
m. 2019)
Children1
Parent(s)A. L. Azhagappan (father)
RelativesUdhaya (brother)

A. L. Vijay[1] (18 June 1979), known professionally as Vijay, is an Indian film director and screenwriter who works in the Tamil film industry. An assistant director with Priyadarshan, he debuted as director through the film Kireedam (2007) and gained popularity through the films Madrasapattinam (2010) and Deiva Thirumagal (2011).

Background[edit | edit source]

Vijay was born into a film family. His father, A. L. Azhagappan, is a noted film producer and a former President of the Tamil Nadu Producers Council. Azhagappan has also appeared as character artist in some films, including the film Eesan. Vijay's brother is the actor Udhaya.[2]

Personal life[edit | edit source]

Vijay was briefly married to actress Amala Paul between 2014 and 2016–17. While Vijay belongs to a Tamil-speaking Hindu family, Amala comes from a Malayali Christian family.[3] They got engaged on 7 June 2014 at a Church in Aluva, Kerala, using a ring for the ceremony,[4] and were married in a "traditional south Indian style wedding," presumably Hindu, on 12 June 2014 in Chennai.[5] They separated in July 2016 and were granted a divorce by the courts in February 2017.

In July 2019, in a private family ceremony, Vijay married Dr. R. Aishwarya, a match arranged by their families.[6] On 30 May 2020, the couple had their first child, a baby boy.

Career[edit | edit source]

2000–2008: Early Career[edit | edit source]

Prior to directing films, Vijay was a successful advertisement filmmaker with the Mumbai-based banner Venus Productions, completing more than 100 ad films. His State Bank of India commercial won CNBC's Best Corporate Advertisement Award. Vijay has claimed that "advertisements teach you how to translate a story idea onto screen with maximum impact in minimum time" and is influenced by the ad works of Suraaj, Prahlad Kakkar and Babu Shankar.[7] He began his career in feature films by joining Priyadarshan as an assistant director in his films.

He made his directorial debut with Kireedam in 2007, a remake of the 1989 film of the same name, directed by Sibi Malayil and written by A. K. Lohithadas. Vijay's version featured Ajith Kumar in the lead role with Trisha Krishnan, Rajkiran, Saranya and Vivek also as part of the cast, while the cinematographer was Tirru, the music was composed by G. V. Prakash Kumar and the film was edited by Anthony. Vijay revealed that he "reworked about 80 per cent" from the original version and his first choice of male lead role was Vijay, however his role was grabbed by Ajith for his career security.[7] The film opened to positive reviews with a critic from Sify.com citing that Vijay had "a lot of guts and conviction to make a realistic film".[8] The reviewer from The Hindu also praised the film labelling that "Vijay has neatly packaged a strong story line with a sensibly balanced mix of sentiment and action.", but claimed that "Vijay could have worked on the lead character more."[9] The final scene in the film was changed after release from a sad to an upbeat ending after the producers felt that the original scene may keep audiences away.[10] The film consequently went on to become a profitable venture at the box office.[11] Vijay then returned to work as an assistant to Suraj in his action-masala Padikathavan, by helping with the dialogues and described his work in the project as "a pulsating experience".[7] Vijay's next remake of the Hindi film Khosla Ka Ghosla in Tamil, under his production house, and hence they collaborated to make Poi Solla Porom.[12] The film was completed within 13 days, with a cast containing veteran actors such as Nassar and Nedumudi Venu as well as relative newcomers including Karthik Kumar and Piaa Bajpai.[12] The film also became one of the first ventures in Tamil cinema to feature a promotional song, with Vijay maintaining that the song reflected the story of the film.[13] The film won positive reviews from critics with The Hindu citing that "Vijay's dialogue, both humorous and thought-provoking, tickles the viewer almost throughout" and that "Vijay has understood the pulse of the audience even while sticking to his stand of providing standard fare".[14]

2010–2015: Critical Acclaim[edit | edit source]

Vijay revealed that Madrasapattinam (2010) was supposed to happen later in his career, but the intervention of producer Kalpathi S. Aghoram of AGS Entertainment realized the viability of the film earlier.[7] Vijay had first explored the script in his college days and drew inspiration from an English professor, who used to talk to them about the freedom movement a lot. Vijay visualized the people, who lived in the pre-independence period of India and explored the concept of how it would have been, if an English girl fell in love with an Indian boy, laying the foundations for the script.[12] The script took six months to write with the help of leading Tamil writer Prabanjan. He also visited independence veterans to understand the history of the city of Madras between 1945 and 1947.[12] Arya was finalised to play the lead role and English Miss Teen World winner Amy Jackson was selected after Vijay found a picture of her through the internet.[15] Despite being a period film, the film was finished in eight months and released in July 2010.[12] The production of the film, Deiva Thirumagal (2011) took five months from start to finish, however, Vijay claimed that the film had been in his plans for four years, but he waited for Vikram to give him dates.[16] Amala Paul was selected after Vijay was pleased with her award-winning work in Mynaa.[16] Sara had appeared in a commercial for Vijay when she was two, but he then lost touch with Sara's family, before he met them and cast Sara in Deiva Thirumagal, following a visit to Mumbai.[17] Vijay directed the Harris: On The Edge concerts by music composer Harris Jayaraj.[18] In 2013, he worked with Vijay alongside Amala Paul for the movie Thalaivaa. Despite winning good reviews, the film's delayed release in Tamil Nadu due to protests greatly affected the box office performance in Tamil Nadu, thus ending up as an average grosser. After working with top stars Ajith, Vijay and Vikram in his previous films, Vijay has decided to go with lesser known faces in Saivam (2014). Veteran actor Nassar and Sara Arjun of Deiva Thirumagal fame play the lead roles. Director Vijay very subtly tries to put across his message of promoting animal welfare and encouraging vegetarianism in the film. [19] His next project is the romantic comedy film, Idhu Enna Maayam (2015).[20]

2016–present[edit | edit source]

In February 2016, he was named as a director of Prabhu Deva's trilingual film Devi opposite Tamannaah which was made in Tamil, Telugu and Hindi. This marked his debut in Telugu and Hindi languages.[21] He reunites again with Prabhu Deva in the films Lakshmi (2018) and Devi 2 (2019), simultaneously shot in Telugu as Abhinetri 2.[22][23]

In 2021, he directed a biographical drama film Thalaivii based on the life of Indian actress-turned chief minister J. Jayalalithaa. The film starred Kangana Ranaut as the main protagonist Jayalalithaa and Arvind Swami as M. G. Ramachandran.[24] The bilingual film was shot in Tamil and Hindi simultaneously. He directed a horror thriller film, Boo (2023), after the rather forgettable Diya.[25] In 2024, the action thriller film Mission: Chapter 1 starring Arun Vijay and Amy Jackson in lead roles was released.[26]

Craft, style, and technical collaborations[edit | edit source]

Vijay has described that he wants his audience "to immerse themselves" in his films, and hence uses scenes which reflect the local culture, explaining that his scenes should mirror society and "lend it an element of timelessness".[7] He revealed that while constructing a film, he "first thinks of the plot, then the screenplay and then the characters", and tries to portray human values in his films.[16]

He has expressed that he prefers "to mould actors," telling them to react and not act, drawing such inspiration from the work of Suraaj.

Furthermore, Vijay has shown interest in training people and mentoring their careers, citing that he likes to be the oldest member of his crew.[7] His films have a "regular crew" which includes cinematographer Nirav Shah, music director G. V. Prakash Kumar (being his regular music composer until Devi), production designer Selva Kumar, and editor Anthony.[27]

Frequent collaborators[edit | edit source]

Collaborator
G. V. Prakash Kumar Error creating thumbnail: File missing Error creating thumbnail: File missing Error creating thumbnail: File missing Error creating thumbnail: File missing Error creating thumbnail: File missing Error creating thumbnail: File missing Error creating thumbnail: File missing Error creating thumbnail: File missing (also acted) Error creating thumbnail: File missing Error creating thumbnail: File missing Error creating thumbnail: File missing
Anthony Error creating thumbnail: File missing Error creating thumbnail: File missing Error creating thumbnail: File missing Error creating thumbnail: File missing Error creating thumbnail: File missing Error creating thumbnail: File missing Error creating thumbnail: File missing Error creating thumbnail: File missing Error creating thumbnail: File missing Error creating thumbnail: File missing Error creating thumbnail: File missing Error creating thumbnail: File missing Error creating thumbnail: File missing Error creating thumbnail: File missing Error creating thumbnail: File missing Error creating thumbnail: File missing
Nirav Shah Error creating thumbnail: File missing Error creating thumbnail: File missing Error creating thumbnail: File missing Error creating thumbnail: File missing Error creating thumbnail: File missing Error creating thumbnail: File missing Error creating thumbnail: File missing Error creating thumbnail: File missing Error creating thumbnail: File missing Error creating thumbnail: File missing
Nassar Error creating thumbnail: File missing Error creating thumbnail: File missing Error creating thumbnail: File missing Error creating thumbnail: File missing Error creating thumbnail: File missing Error creating thumbnail: File missing Error creating thumbnail: File missing Error creating thumbnail: File missing (Devi and Tutak Tutak Tutiya) Error creating thumbnail: File missing
George Maryan Error creating thumbnail: File missing Error creating thumbnail: File missing Error creating thumbnail: File missing Error creating thumbnail: File missing Error creating thumbnail: File missing
Raj Arjun Error creating thumbnail: File missing Error creating thumbnail: File missing Error creating thumbnail: File missing Error creating thumbnail: File missing Error creating thumbnail: File missing
Amy Jackson Error creating thumbnail: File missing Error creating thumbnail: File missing Error creating thumbnail: File missing (cameo) Error creating thumbnail: File missing
Santhanam Error creating thumbnail: File missing Error creating thumbnail: File missing Error creating thumbnail: File missing Error creating thumbnail: File missing
RJ Balaji Error creating thumbnail: File missing Error creating thumbnail: File missing Error creating thumbnail: File missing (Diya) Error creating thumbnail: File missing (Devi 2)
M. S. Bhaskar Error creating thumbnail: File missing Error creating thumbnail: File missing Error creating thumbnail: File missing Error creating thumbnail: File missing
Balaji Venugopal Error creating thumbnail: File missing Error creating thumbnail: File missing Error creating thumbnail: File missing Error creating thumbnail: File missing Error creating thumbnail: File missing (dialogues)
Ajayan Bala Error creating thumbnail: File missing Error creating thumbnail: File missing Error creating thumbnail: File missing Error creating thumbnail: File missing
Jayakumar Error creating thumbnail: File missing Error creating thumbnail: File missing Error creating thumbnail: File missing Error creating thumbnail: File missing
Sathya Error creating thumbnail: File missing Error creating thumbnail: File missing (Kanam) Error creating thumbnail: File missing Error creating thumbnail: File missing

Filmography[edit | edit source]

Key
Films that have not yet been released Denotes films that have not yet been released

As film director[edit | edit source]

Year Film Credited as Language Notes
Director Writer Producer
2007 Kireedam Yes Screenplay,
dialogues		 No Tamil
2008 Poi Solla Porom Yes Screenplay,
dialogues		 No
2010 Madrasapattinam Yes Yes No Nominated, Filmfare Award for Best Director – Tamil

Nominated, Vijay Award for Best Director

2011 Deiva Thirumagal Yes Yes No Tamil Nadu State Film Award for Best Director

Tamil Nadu State Film Award for Best Film (Second prize)
Nominated, Filmfare Award for Best Director – Tamil

2012 Thaandavam Yes Yes No
2013 Thalaivaa Yes Yes No
2014 Saivam Yes Yes No
2015 Idhu Enna Maayam Yes Yes No
2016 Devi Yes Yes No Tamil
Abhinetri Telugu
Tutak Tutak Tutiya Hindi
2017 Vanamagan Yes Yes Yes Tamil
2018 Diya Yes Yes No
Kanam Telugu
Lakshmi Yes Yes No Tamil partially reshot in Telugu
2019 Watchman Yes Yes No
Devi 2 Yes Yes No
Abhinetri 2 Telugu
2021 Kutty Story Yes Yes No Tamil Segment: Avanum Naanum[28]
Thalaivii Yes No No Hindi Bilingual film
Tamil
2023 Boo Yes Yes No Tamil
Telugu
2024 Mission: Chapter 1 Yes Dialogues No Tamil
2026 Kadhal Reset Repeat Yes Screenplay,
story		 Yes
Circle Yes No Tamil [29]
Hindi
Untitled Racing Documentary ft. Ajith Kumar Yes Tamil [30]

As writer and presenter[edit | edit source]

Year Title Credited as Language Notes
Writer Presenter
2015 Oru Naal Iravil No Yes Tamil
2018 Sila Samayangalil Dialogues No
2021 Chithirai Sevvanam Story Yes

Television[edit | edit source]

Year Title Credited as Language Network
Creator Director
2021 Five Six Seven Eight Yes Yes Tamil Zee5

References[edit | edit source]

  1. ↑ "A.L.Vijay". Web archive.
  2. ↑ "I will fight to the finish: Udhaya". The Times of India. 5 October 2010.
  3. ↑ "Amala Paul drowned in love, drenched in care". The Times of India. 16 January 2017.
  4. ↑ "Vijay, Amala Paul to tie the knot?". The Times of India.
  5. ↑ "Actress Amala Paul and filmmaker Vijay get married in Chennai". Biharprabha.com. Retrieved 12 June 2014.
  6. ↑ "Meet AL Vijay's bride-to-be Dr R Aishwarya". Meet AL Vijay's bride-to-be Dr R Aishwarya.
  7. ↑ 7.0 7.1 7.2 7.3 7.4 7.5 Rao, Subha J (25 September 2010). "Genre bender". The Hindu. Chennai.
  8. ↑ "Movie Review:Kireedam". Sify. 2007. Archived from the original on 11 October 2014. Retrieved 27 September 2011.
  9. ↑ "Whose crown is it, anyway? – Kireedam". The Hindu. Chennai. 27 July 2007. Archived from the original on 14 October 2007.
  10. ↑ "Kireedam- Climax changed!". Sify. 29 July 2007. Archived from the original on 22 October 2012. Retrieved 27 September 2011.
  11. ↑ "It's all about choices". The Hindu. Chennai. 24 August 2007. Archived from the original on 15 October 2007.
  12. ↑ 12.0 12.1 12.2 12.3 12.4 "Directing Madhrasapattinam". Rediff.com. 6 July 2010. Retrieved 27 September 2011.
  13. ↑ "Promotional song for 'Poi Solla Porom' – Tamil Movie News". IndiaGlitz. 10 September 2008. Archived from the original on 23 June 2008. Retrieved 27 September 2011.
  14. ↑ "Laugh, and pause to think". The Hindu. Chennai. 12 September 2008. Archived from the original on 15 September 2008.
  15. ↑ "British teenager becomes Bollywood star". The Daily Telegraph. London. 16 August 2010.
  16. ↑ 16.0 16.1 16.2 "I like to portray human values in my films". Rediff. 14 July 2011. Retrieved 27 September 2011.
  17. ↑ Chowdary, Sunita (4 June 2011). "Que Sara Sara". The Hindu. Chennai. Archived from the original on 10 November 2012. Retrieved 29 July 2011.
  18. ↑ Harris on the Edge Concert (2 September 2011). "Harris on the Edge Concert". TamilWire.com. Archived from the original on 29 September 2011. Retrieved 27 September 2011.
  19. ↑ "Review: Saivam is worth a watch". Rediff. Retrieved 27 June 2014.
  20. ↑ "IDHU ENNA MAYAM MOVIE REVIEW". Behindwoods. Retrieved 31 July 2015.
  21. ↑ "Prabhu Deva to Act in Trilingual". The New Indian Express. 2 February 2016. Archived from the original on 2 February 2016. Retrieved 28 July 2016.
  22. ↑ "'Lakshmi' movie review: Gets most of its moves right". The New Indian Express. Retrieved 25 August 2018.
  23. ↑ "'Devi 2' — Prabhu Deva and Tamannaah's horror comedy is a big yawn!". Daily Times. Retrieved 1 June 2019.
  24. ↑ "'Thalaivi' Trailer To Be Released on Kangana Ranaut's Birthday". TheQuint. 18 March 2021. Retrieved 19 March 2021.
  25. ↑ "'Boo' movie review: When the script is more dead than the ghosts". The New Indian Express. Retrieved 29 May 2023.
  26. ↑ "Mission: Chapter 1 Review: Archaic and rudimentary narrative makes this mission a failure". Cinema Express. Retrieved 12 January 2024.
  27. ↑ "Director Vijay is in demand". The Times of India. 30 August 2010. Archived from the original on 23 September 2012.
  28. ↑ "Vijay Sethupathi, Amala Paul part of upcoming Tamil anthology 'Kutti Love Story'". The News Minute. 2 February 2021. Retrieved 6 February 2021.
  29. ↑ Varma, Lipika (17 July 2025). "Kangana Ranaut's psychological thriller titled,'Circle'a Dussehra release will see the same individual playing Doctor and Patient??". www.deccanchronicle.com.
  30. ↑ "Ajith Kumar-AL Vijay project is a feature-length film: Buzz". Cinema Express. 27 February 2026.

External links[edit | edit source]

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