Arun Vijay

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Arun Vijay
Vijay at Vaa Press Meet in 2012
Born
Arun Kumar

(1977-11-19) 19 November 1977 (age 46)
Alma materLoyola College, Chennai
OccupationActor
Years active1995–present
Spouse
Aarathi
(m. 2006)
Children2
Parents
RelativesKavitha Vijayakumar (sister)
Anitha Vijayakumar (sister)
Preetha Vijayakumar (half-sister)
Sridevi Vijaykumar (half-sister)
Vanitha Vijayakumar (half-sister)

Arun Vijay (born 19 November 1977), formerly known as Arun Kumar, is an Indian actor who works primarily in Tamil cinema. He also starred in a few films in Telugu, Kannada and Hindi.[1]

Born as Arun Kumar and being the only son of veteran actor Vijayakumar, he debuted in Sundar C's Murai Mappillai (1995).[2] He received early success in Thulli Thirintha Kaalam (1998) and Pandavar Bhoomi (2001).[3]

After a string of failures, he changed his name to Arun Vijay[4] and achieved breakthrough success and recognition for playing lead roles in Malai Malai (2009), Maanja Velu (2010), Thadaiyara Thaakka (2012), Kuttram 23 (2017), Chekka Chivantha Vaanam (2018), Thadam (2019), Mafia: Chapter 1 (2020) and Yaanai (2022).[5] He is noted for his villainous roles in Yennai Arindhaal (2015), Bruce Lee: The Fighter (2015) and Chakravyuha (2016).

He is a recipient of many awards, including a Norway Tamil Film Festival Award, two Filmfare South Awards, a Edison Award and three SIIMA Awards.

Early life[edit]

Arun Vijay was born as the only son to actor Vijayakumar and his first wife Muthukannu. He studied at Don Bosco Matriculation Higher Secondary School, Egmore. After completing his schooling, he joined Loyola college for his higher studies.

His two elder sisters Kavitha and Anitha, had debuted in the 1995 film, Coolie.[6]

Career[edit]

1995-2001[edit]

Vijay had a desire to act since childhood. He developed a strong interest by watching his father during film shoots. Vijay started getting film offers when he was in tenth grade but his father wanted him to complete his schooling before acting in films.[7]

Vijay signed on for an A. R. Rahman musical Love Story to be his acting debut, but the delay of that project meant that he accepted Anbalaya Films' offer of Sundar C's Murai Mappillai (1995).[2] He was 18 years old when he signed to act in Murai Mapillai. This made him one of the youngest actors to debut as a hero in the Tamil film industry. Murai Mapillai had a star cast which included Manivannan, K. Prabakaran, Kalaranjini, Goundamani and Senthil. The film was released in December 1995.

In 1996, Vijay's second film, Priyam, was released. Vijay then signed for two films Kathirunda Kadhal and Ganga Gowri under Ganga Gowri Productions. Both were released in 1997.[8][9] Kathirunda Kadhal was Arun's first film with Suvalakshmi.

In 1998, Vijay played the lead role in director Balasekaran's film Thulli Thirintha Kaalam. It was produced by Kavithalayaa Productions, a company owned by K.Balachander. The film was a commercial success and was later remade in Telugu with a different cast.[10]

In 2000, Vijay featured in two films, Kannaal Pesavaa and Anbudan. Kannal Pesavaa was released in August 2000 and was his second film with actors Suvalakshmi, Goundamani and Senthil. Anbudan, released in November 2000, had two heroines Meena and Rambha.[11][12] His career hit a nadir when Buddhan, a project which he had physically transformed for, was stalled and dropped in 2000.[13]

In 2001, he played a civil engineer in Pandavar Bhoomi, directed by Cheran. This was the first movie in which Vijay and his father Vijayakumar acted together. This movie won the Tamil Nadu State Film Award for Best Film (Second Prize) in 2001.[14]

2002-2012[edit]

Vijay's next film was Mutham (2002). It was initially titled Muthamidalamma, but was changed after the censor screening. It was directed by S.A. Chandrasekhar and was the first film to be shot using digital cinematography in Tamil cinema.[15][16] Vijay had a special appearance in Iyarkai (2003), which won the National Film Award for Best Feature Film in Tamil.[17]

He acted in director Ramesh Selvan's Jananam (2004). The film's actress Priyanka Trivedi could not fulfill her scheduled commitments in the film, as she got married in 2003.[18][19] The film failed to make a mark, as the screenplay was not good and the story was incomplete.[20] Critics appreciated Arun Vijay's acting in the movie.[21] In 2006, he has given a matured performance in Azhagai Irukkirai Bayamai Irukkirathu.[22] His next projects was Thavam (2007) and Vedha (2008).[23][24] Thavam was the first film to credit Arun Kumar under his new name Arun Vijay.

The first venture, Malai Malai (2009), directed by A. Venkatesh, became a commercial success. The next, Maanja Velu (2010), by the same team, was also a success. Arun Vijay appeared in Magizh Thirumeni's action-thriller Thadaiyara Thaakka (2012), marking a move away from his previous two Masala films.[25][26]

2015-present[edit]

He starred in Yennai Arindhaal (2015) with actor Ajith Kumar. This was his first film with director Gautham Vasudev Menon. Vijay played the role of Victor, an antagonist.[27]

On September 1, 2015, Vijay launched his own production company called In Cinemas Entertainment (ICE).[28] He said that he launched the company to identify and provide an opportunity to ambitious and talented youngsters.[29]

The same year, he debuted in Telugu in the film Bruce Lee - The Fighter (2015) as the lead antagonist. He also made his Kannada debut as the lead antagonist in the movie Chakravyuha in 2016.[30][31] His next, Kuttram 23 (2017), returning to lead roles, was a success at the box office.[32] His next movie was Chekka Chivantha Vaanam (2018), which was directed by Mani Ratnam with an ensemble cast.

In 2019, Vijay acted in Thadam, an action crime thriller. He played his first double role in this film. This was also the second film in which he and Magizh Thirumeni worked together, after Thadaiyara Thaakka.[33] The film was loosely based on various real-life crimes where the suspects are identical twins. Thadam's biggest strength was Vijay's convincing performance as Kavin and Ezhil.[34] In the action thriller film Saaho, Prabhas was the hero while Vijay played a supporting role.[35] In 2020, he appeared in action crime thriller Mafia: Chapter 1 that was directed by Karthick Naren. In the film, Arun Vijay played a narcotics police officer on a mission to hunt down a drug mafia kingpin.[36]

In 2022, he appeared in the Amazon Prime Video film Oh My Dog.[37] The cast included Vijay, his father Vijayakumar, and his son Arnav Vijay. The next was Yaanai an action drama film written and directed by Hari.[38] The next was released a Web Series Tamil Rockerz.[39] and later Sinam directed by G. N. R. Kumaravelan, it is made as an investigative whodunit thriller in which Arun Vijay plays a cop. Arun Vijay delivers a stunning performance once again. The role of an angry cop is tailor-made for an actor with his physique and attitude.[40]

Personal life[edit]

In 2006, Vijay married Aarathi, daughter of film producer Dr. N. S. Mohan[41][42] with whom he has a daughter, Purvi and a son, Arnav Vijay. In 2010, Arun Vijay's eldest sister Kavitha's daughter Hasini married N. S. Mohan's son Hemanth, who is a co-producer of Feather Touch Entertainments and also acted alongside Arun Vijay in Malai Malai.[6][43]Arun Vijay's Hometown is Pattukkottai in Thanjavur District of Tamil Nadu.

Filmography[edit]

Films[edit]

  • Note: He was credited as Arunkumar (sometimes Arun) from 1995 to 2006. He was credited as Arun Vijay from 2007 onwards.

All films are in Tamil, unless otherwise noted.

Year Title Role(s) Notes Ref(s)
1995 Murai Mappillai Raja Debut film [44]
1996 Priyam Arimath [45]
1997 Kathirunda Kadhal Mayilsamy [46]
Ganga Gowri Shiva [47]
1998 Thulli Thirintha Kalam Ashok [48]
2000 Kannaal Pesavaa Arun [49]
Anbudan Sathya [50]
2001 Pandavar Bhoomi Tamizharasan [51]
2002 Mutham Bharath [52]
2003 Iyarkai Mukundan Cameo appearance [53]
2004 Jananam Surya [54]
2006 Azhagai Irukkirai Bayamai Irukkirathu Prem [55]
2007 Thavam Subramaniam [56]
2008 Vedha Vijay [57]
2009 Malai Malai Vetrivel [58]
2010 Thunichal Shiva [59]
Maanja Velu Velu [60]
2012 Thadaiyara Thaakka Selva Also singer for "Poondamalli Thaan" [61]
2015 Yennai Arindhaal Victor Manoharan [62]
Bruce Lee – The Fighter Deepak Raj Telugu film [63]
2016 Chakravyuha Omkaar Kannada film [64]
2017 Kuttram 23 ACP Vetrimaaran [65]
2018 Chekka Chivantha Vaanam Thyagarajan "Thyagu" Senapathi [66]
2019 Thadam Ezhil, Kavin dual role [67]
Saaho Vishwank Roy / Iqbal Telugu / Hindi film [68]
2020 Mafia: Chapter 1 Aryan, Dileep "Dexter" [69]
2022 Oh My Dog Shankar [37]
Yaanai Ravichandran [38]
Sinam Inspector Paari Venkat Also playback singer [70][71]
2024 Mission: Chapter 1 Gunasekhar aka Guna [72]
Vanangaan TBA Announced [73]

Web series[edit]

Year Title Role Network Notes Ref.
2022 Tamil Rockerz Rudhra IPS SonyLIV [74]

As dubbing artist[edit]

Year Title Role Dub-over voice for whom Notes Ref.
2019 Aladdin Hakim Numan Acar [75]

Awards and nominations[edit]

Arun Vijay awards and nominations
Totals[a]
Wins5
Nominations5
Note
  1. ^ Certain award groups do not simply award one winner. They recognize several different recipients, have runners-up, and have third place. Since this is a specific recognition and is different from losing an award, runner-up mentions are considered wins in this award tally. For simplification and to avoid errors, each award in this list has been presumed to have had a prior nomination.
Year Award Category Film Result Ref.
2016 Filmfare Awards South Best Supporting Actor – Tamil Yennai Arindhaal Nominated
Edison Awards Best Villain Won
Norway Tamil Film Festival Awards Best Villain Won
South Indian International Movie Awards Best Actor in a Negative Role Won
2017 Chakravyuha Nominated

References[edit]

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  2. ^ a b "His career makes a steady progress – TAMIL NADU". The Hindu. 5 May 2006. Retrieved 20 January 2016.
  3. ^ "Recap on Arun Vijay". Times Now News.
  4. ^ "Name change seems to be working". Indiaglitz.com.
  5. ^ "I'll prove one day: Arun Vijay". The New Stuff.
  6. ^ a b "Wedding bells in Arun Vijays family – Bollywood Movie News". Indiaglitz.com. 27 May 2010. Archived from the original on 18 July 2012. Retrieved 20 January 2016.
  7. ^ "Arun vijay's interest towards acting". The Hindu. 5 May 2006.
  8. ^ "Kathirunda Kadhal (1997)". Flicksup.com. Archived from the original on 21 December 2016. Retrieved 4 December 2016.
  9. ^ "Ganga Gowri (1997)". Spicyonion.com.
  10. ^ "Telegu remake of Thulli thiruntha kalam". telegucinewritersassociation.com.
  11. ^ "Film Review: Anbudan". The Hindu. 17 November 2000. [dead link]
  12. ^ "Anbudan-Cautious moves". The Hindu. 19 April 2002. Archived from the original on 8 August 2002.
  13. ^ "Hot News Just for U". 15 May 2001. Archived from the original on 15 May 2001.
  14. ^ "Tamil Nadu announces film awards for three years". Indiaglitz.com. 1 October 2004. Archived from the original on 10 July 2015.
  15. ^ "Digital does it". The Hindu. 26 August 2002. [dead link]
  16. ^ "A digital take". The Hindu. 2 May 2014.
  17. ^ "National Award-winning director SP Jananathan passes away". 14 March 2021.
  18. ^ "Upendra wedding comes as a shocker!". Times of India. 16 December 2003.
  19. ^ "Arun Kumar hoping for a new birth in Jananam". Indiaglitz.com. 1 November 2004.
  20. ^ "Jananam Review". Indiaglitz.com. 22 December 2004.
  21. ^ "Film review: Jananam". The Hindu. 24 December 2004. Archived from the original on 20 November 2006.
  22. ^ "Azhagai Irukkirai Bayamai Irukkirathu review. Azhagai Irukkirai Bayamai Irukkirathu Tamil movie review, story, rating". IndiaGlitz.com. Retrieved 9 October 2023.
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  24. ^ "VEDHA MOVIE REVIEW ARUN VIJAY SHEELA SRIKANTH DEVA TAMIL MOVIE GALLERY AUDIO SONGS tamil movie hot stills picture image gallery".
  25. ^ "Thadaiyara Thaakka, a new dimension". The Hindu. 9 January 2015.
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  30. ^ "Arun Vijay makes his Kannada debut with Chakravayuha". DNA India.
  31. ^ Waseem, Mohammed. "Sandalwood debut is at the right time - Arun Vijay". Times of India.
  32. ^ "Kuttram 23 Review {3.5/5}: The film is immensely satisfying as a thriller from start to finish". The Times of India.
  33. ^ "Arun Vijay in a dual role". Gulfnews.com.
  34. ^ "Thadam review: An engaging whodunit thriller". Sify. Archived from the original on 28 February 2019.
  35. ^ Dundoo, Sangeetha Devi (30 August 2019). "'Saaho' review: Prabhas' latest is a missed opportunity". The Hindu.
  36. ^ "Arun Vijay teams up with Director Hari for next film". Thenewsminute.com. 18 December 2020.
  37. ^ a b "Oh My Dog (2021) | Oh My Dog Movie | Oh My Dog Tamil Movie Cast & Crew, Release Date, Review, Photos, Videos". FilmiBeat.
  38. ^ a b "Arun Vijay's AV33 with director Hari titled Yaanai". Times of India. 9 September 2021. Retrieved 12 September 2021.
  39. ^ "Tamilrockerz Web Series Review: A great opportunity frittered". Cinema Express.
  40. ^ "Sinam review. Sinam Telugu movie review, story, rating".
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  42. ^ "Events – Arun Kumar's Betrothal Function". Indiaglitz.com. 12 September 2006. Archived from the original on 8 November 2006. Retrieved 20 January 2016.
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  48. ^ "THULLI THIRINTHA KAALAM - 1998 - Rights".
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  50. ^ "Anbudan". IMDb.
  51. ^ "rediff.com, Movies: The Pandavar Bhoomi review". Rediff.com. Retrieved 9 October 2023.
  52. ^ "Mutham". IMDb.
  53. ^ "Iyarkai". IMDb.
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  55. ^ "Azhagai Irukirai... Bayamai Irukiradhu". IMDb.
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  57. ^ "Vedha". IMDb.
  58. ^ "Malai Malai (2009) | Malai Malai Tamil Movie | Movie Reviews, Showtimes". 15 January 2009.
  59. ^ "Thunichal - Tamil Movie Reviews - Thunichal Arun Vijay Ramana Shiva Manjal Malai Malai Majeed Premji Amaran". Behindwoods.com. Retrieved 9 August 2022.
  60. ^ "Maanja Velu - Tamil Movie Reviews - Maanja Velu | Arun Vijay | Dhanshika | Prabhu". Behindwoods.com. Retrieved 9 August 2022.
  61. ^ "Thadaiyara Thaakka Review - Thadaiyara Thaakka Movie Review".
  62. ^ "Yennai Arindhaal (Aka) Ennai Arindhaal review".
  63. ^ "Bruce Lee Telugu Movie Review | Bruce Lee the Fighter Movie Review | Bruce Lee Movie Review | Ram Charan Bruce Lee Review | Chiru Ram Charan Bruce Moive Review | Bruce Lee Telugu Review | Ram Charan Srinu Vaitla Bruce Lee Review | Bruce Lee Cinema Review | Bruce Lee Review | Bruce Lee Twitter Updates | Ram Charan Bruce Lee Live Updates | Bruce Lee Movie Live Updates". 18 October 2015.
  64. ^ "Chakravyuha". IMDb.
  65. ^ "Kuttram 23 review. Kuttram 23 Tamil movie review, story, rating".
  66. ^ "Chekka Chivantha Vaanam star Arun Vijay on his character Thyagu and working with Mani Ratnam". 25 September 2018.
  67. ^ "Thadam movie review: A thriller that doesn't disappoint". March 2019.
  68. ^ "Saaho is my first trilingual film: Arun Vijay". The Times of India. 17 August 2019.
  69. ^ S, Srivatsan (21 February 2020). "'Mafia: Chapter 1' movie review: A wonderfully ordinary movie with a great presentation by Karthick Naren". The Hindu.
  70. ^ "அருண் விஜய்யின் சினம் வெளியீட்டு தேதி அறிவிப்பு!". News18. 23 August 2022. Retrieved 23 August 2022.
  71. ^ "Arun Vijay's 'Sinam' shooting wrapped up". The Times of India. Retrieved 2 March 2020.
  72. ^ "Arun Vijay's Achcham Enbadhu Illayae shooting wrapped up". Times of India. Retrieved 25 February 2023.
  73. ^ "Vanangaan: Roshni Prakash latest replacement in Arun Vijay, Bala film". Moviecrow.com. Retrieved 6 March 2023.
  74. ^ "Tamil Rockerz OTT Release Date, Star Cast, Plot, Trailer & More". 23 June 2022.
  75. ^ "Aladdin 2019 / Tamil cast - CHARGUIGOU". 26 December 2022.

External links[edit]