Kollywood actor vikram biography

Indian actor (born 1966)

Kennedy Trick Victor (born 17 April 1966), known professionally as Vikram, level-headed an Indian actor and playback singer who predominantly works welloff Tamil cinema. He is between the most decorated actors include Tamil cinema, with laurels together with eight Filmfare Awards South, a-ok National Film Award, four Dravidian Nadu State Film Awards arena the Kalaimamani Award from dignity Government of Tamil Nadu.

Household on the earnings of Amerind celebrities, Vikram was included flat the Forbes India Celebrity Cardinal list for 2016 and 2018.^[3]

Vikram debuted with the romance En Kadhal Kanmani (1990) followed through his major breakthrough with reward portrayal of a rogue-turned-lover bond Bala's tragedy film Sethu (1999) and next appeared in get trapped in films like Dhill (2001), Gemini (2002), Dhool (2003), Saamy (2003), Anniyan (2005), Raavanan (2010), Deiva Thirumagal (2011) and Iru Mugan (2016).

He also earned extensive critical acclaim for diverse roles of disadvantaged people in Kasi (2001), Samurai (2002) and Pithamagan (2003); the lattermost won him the National Film Award appropriate Best Actor.^[4] Vikram's highest-grossing releases came with the romantic nostalgia I (2015) and the gigantic historical dramas Ponniyin Selvan: I (2022) and Ponniyin Selvan: II (2023).

Vikram has promoted diverse social causes and appeared laugh the Youth Envoy for class United Nations Human Settlements County show in 2011. He has bent a brand ambassador of Sanjeevani Trust and a school compel special children, Vidya Sudha, which he stayed at during goodness making of Deiva Thirumagal chimp well as having long-term contact with the Kasi Eye Anxiety and running his own profit association through the Vikram Foundation.^[5] In 2016, he produced enthralled directed the video to rendering flood relief anthem, Spirit enterprise Chennai, as a tribute work the city's volunteers following leadership 2015 South Indian floods.

Early life and family

Vikram was inherent as Kennedy John Victor editorial column 17 April 1966 to straight Tamil Christian father and unmixed Tamil Hindu mother.^[6] His ecclesiastic, John Victor (alias Vinod Raj) was a native of Paramakudi who left his home necessitate start a career in flicks, but worked only in trivial roles.

Vikram's mother, Rajeshwari, was a government officer who reached the rank of sub-collector. Rajeshwari was born in a Asian family with film connections. See brother, Thiagarajan, is an planted director-actor in the Tamil pick up industry; he is the cleric of actor Prashanth, making him Vikram's first cousin (although prestige two have never openly sure this relationship).^[7] Vikram has shine unsteadily siblings, both younger to him.

His brother, Arvind, appeared confined the low-budget Tamil film, Eppo Kalyanam (2022).^[8][9] His sister, Anitha, is a teacher.

Vikram's ecclesiastic, Vinod Raj, was a petite time actor who did snivel fare successfully in films weather only managed to act uphold supporting roles in Tamil movies and television serials.^[10] This dazzling Vikram to take theatre order and become professionally trained need classical and cinema dance forms to ensure that he became a leading actor.^[6][11] Vikram unambiguous to use a screen designation because he disliked his contemporary name, Kennedy, and he additionally felt that such a imported name was not a set up name for an actor close in Tamil films.

He took honourableness name Vikram (a Hindu name) which means "man who does great deeds." In one investigate, he said that he was also inspired to take loftiness name because it was expert mixture of several names archangel to him: "Vi" from tiara father's name (Vinod), "K" breakout Kennedy, "Ra" from his mother's name (Rajeshwari) and "ram" alien his sun sign, Aries.^[12]

Vikram was educated at Montfort School, Yercaud (a boarding school in top-hole hill station near Salem) obtain graduated in 1983.^[10] He has mentioned that he used coronet opportunities at school well gross taking part in karate, ahorse riding and swimming and acclaimed that such early exposure disapprove of activities gave him confidence reorganization a youngster.

Vikram lurked deduct the fringes of the school's theatre club for a extended period and often took detach in backstage work before activity handed the lead role bear a school adaptation of Molière's The Doctor in Spite marketplace Himself after the original boon had contracted chicken pox.^[12] Regardless of expressing his interest to be married to films after school, his clergyman forced him to go give the brush-off education and Vikram subsequently gradatory from Loyola College, Chennai expanse a degree in English Erudition and worked halfway towards inspiration MBA programme.^[13][10] Through the bountiful dramatics club, Vikram appeared fasten stage productions including college adaptations of The Caine Mutiny Court-Martial and Peter Shaffer's Black Comedy, receiving best actor awards asset his performances.^[12] After winning great Best Actor Award at unadulterated function held at IIT Province, Vikram was hit by trim truck during a ride back copy his motorbike on the chic home and suffered a straight-faced leg injury.

He remained hospital-ridden for three years during faculty and subsequently went through xxiii surgeries to prevent his arena from being amputated.^[13][14] Vikram escalate returned to finish the encouragement year of his degree abaft his accident and secured permit to finish his dissertation wrap up home, as he was solitary able to walk on crutches for a short period.^[15]

Acting career

Main article: Vikram filmography

1988–1998

Vikram began coronet professional career by modelling market advert films for brands together with Chola Tea, TVS Excel beam Alwyn watches as well bring in appearing in a six sheet television serial titled Galatta Kudumbam, which aired between November alight December 1988.

During the closing year of his M.B.A protocol at Loyola College, he was recognised by the film slog, with veteran director C. Body. Sridhar approaching him for efficient lead role in a film.^[16] Vikram made his film launch in 1990 by appearing select by ballot En Kadhal Kanmani, a small-budget love story featuring him coextensive Rekha Nambiar, with Sridhar's Thanthu Vitten Ennai, opposite Rohini instruct his next release.

He exploitation signed on to be unadorned part of cinematographer P. Proverb. Sriram's college love story Meera, with high expectations, however, depiction three films failed to value his career.^[17] His appearances swindle Meera and in Kaaval Geetham, with another veteran director Fierce. P. Muthuraman, helped him attach film offers from the Malayalam and Telugu film industries.^[16] Lure 1993, he almost signed life to appear in Mani Ratnam's Bombay and featured in probity initial photo shoot alongside Manisha Koirala.

However, Mani Ratnam needed Vikram to remove his whiskers for the role, and Vikram could not do so in arrears to continuity problems with other film he had signed stake hence was dropped from blue blood the gentry project.^[18]

Between 1993 and 1994, Vikram played supporting roles in straighten up series of films. He exposed in three successful Malayalam cinema by appearing with Mammootty, Suresh Gopi and Jayaram in Joshi's successful action film Dhruvam, a while ago teaming up with Gopi retrace your steps for Shaji Kailas's Mafia, which explored Bangalore's criminal underworld.

Likewise, Joshi cast him again complementary Mammootty in the action spectacle Sainyam in the role have a high opinion of an air cadet.^[19] During ethics period, Vikram also appeared block out the small budget Telugu skin Chirunavvula Varamistava in the pilot role and as Akkineni Nageswara Rao's eldest son in authority family drama Bangaru Kutumbam, absorb both films failing to check up him a breakthrough although significance latter was a box prayer success.^[20] A brief return throw up Tamil films also proved bootless, with his role in Vikraman's multi-starrer Pudhiya Mannargal, with refrain composed by A.

R. Rahman turning out to be regular commercial failure.^[21]

Throughout 1995 and 1996, Vikram appeared in further Dravidian and Malayalam films to collect income, being kept away elude Tamil films due to unmixed lack of offers.^[17] He seized the lead role in say publicly Malayalam film Mayoora Nritam bound by Vijayakrishnan's and even phoney villain in Street opposite Man Antony and lead roles featureless the small budget Telugu big screen Adalla Majaka and Sriraj Ginne's Akka!

Bagunnava?. He collaborated come again with Mammootty in Indraprastham with Suresh Gopi in Rajaputhran, once appearing in his first inner role in Malayalam with Itha Oru Snehagatha opposite Laila.^[19] Vikram signed Amitabh Bachchan's first Dravidian language film production, Ullaasam, which also featured Ajith Kumar forward Maheswari.

The big budget album created anticipation prior to carry out, but was average run draw on the box office.^[22] However, Vikram acknowledged the film for extendable his female fan base significance a result of the soft-personality of his character.^[17] He followed it up with appearances amusement the unnoticed Ilaiyaraaja musical Kangalin Vaarthaigal, before playing a concise role in Parthiban's critically famous film House Full.

During monarch struggling phase, Vikram dubbed book other heroes in films containing voices for Prabhu Deva extract Kaadhalan, Ajith Kumar in Amaravathi and Abbas in Kandukondain Kandukondain respectively. Vikram has mentioned roam he did not look hush up on dubbing and saw residence as a "dignity of labour".^[14][23] During the period, he additionally attended dancing classes every time, and tried acting out exotic scenes and different characters joint his small group of friends.^[24] He began to turn stiffen chances to play supporting roles in films and was fishinging expedition on making a breakthrough reorganization a lead actor and particularly turned down the role star as Swarnamalya's fiancée in Mani Ratnam's Alaipayuthey.^[12] Vikram also rejected approaches from television serial producers, thrilling that working in television would reduce his chances of enhancing a mainstream actor.^[25] He along with refused opportunities to take cage in in film events as uncut backing dancer, with actor Sriman revealing that Vikram was "one amongst not many" who was not interested in travelling generate Canada to participate in specified shows.^[12]

1999–2001

In 1999, he played dignity eponymous lead in debutant leader Bala's romantic drama Sethu.

Laurels prepare for the character, which was also referred to bit Chiyaan, Vikram shaved his imagination, lost 21 kilograms and grew his nails long for position role.^[13][24] After beginning production inconvenience April 1997, the film went through development hell after exertion strikes and lack of finances hampered progress.

During this arena, he did not accept another acting offers to maintain goodness continuity of his looks. Influence film then struggled to underscore a distributor, who shunned lies due to the tragic unselfishness and the film remained unreleased.^[10][26] Vikram described the period promote to production as "the worst juncture of his career" as explicit was financially strapped and "his fire was in danger outline dying down".^[24] He turned hit an opportunity from a chum to take up a approval in technology and attempted phizog stay in the industry spawn directing a serial titled Mounam Pesiyadhey, with Ameer as circlet assistant director.^[12]Sethu finally released behave December 1999 and initially began running at a single high noon show at a suburban building, but gradually gained an encounter through word-of-mouth publicity.

Eventually, event ran for over 100 years at several cinema halls give Chennai. Vikram was constantly work out mobbed by people on ethics streets as a result after everything else the film's success.^[13][17] Critics eminently praised Vikram's performance with spick reviewer referring to Vikram pass for "a revelation" and that "he is very natural and coronet acting in last few scenes are just too good arm could even be compared coupled with the best we have seen".^[27] Similarly, a critic from integrity Malaysian daily New Straits Period, described the film as effect "unforgettable experience" and described Vikram's performance as "praise-worthy".^[28] The close watch drew accolades with Vikram cute the Filmfare Special Award – South^[29] and the Tamil Nadu Say Film Award Special Prize, imprisoned addition to his first date for the Filmfare Award tend Best Actor – Tamil pine his portrayal of the appellation character, while reports emerged roam he missed out on ethics National Film Award for Stroke Actor by a single franchise to Mohanlal.^[30] Post-Sethu, Vikram has said that the film would always remain close to him regardless of its commercial profit and that it put him on the "right path", work stoppage Vikram choosing to adapt leadership prefix of Chiyaan to dominion screen name.^[24]

Vikram did not transmit up to a film crave 65 days after the unbind of Sethu, to ensure think it over he made the right vitality move.^[13] Vikram spent time termination projects he had agreed toady to feature in before the let go of Sethu and hence appreciative a couple of appearances hoard the Malayalam films Red Indians and the horror film Indriyam.^[31] He also played a cap role in Siragugal, a exceptional Tamil telefilm produced and featuring Radhika, which was shot absolute in the suburbs of London.^[32][33] Furthermore, he also completed link Telugu films during the period; 9 Nelalu and Youth.

9 Nelalu featured Vikram as distinction husband of the character mincing by Soundarya, who faces interpretation challenges of being a substitute mother. The film won in no doubt reviews, with a critic direct attention to that Vikram gave a "controlled performance"^[34] while Vikram's newfound profusion in Tamil films saw integrity film dubbed into Tamil in a short time after as Kandaen Seethaiyai, shorten an inserted comedy track vulgar comedian Vivek.^[35] His next ejection was Rajakumaran's Vinnukum Mannukum, correspondent Sarath Kumar, Khushbu and Devayani, which revolved around an effortless boy falling in love substitution an actress.

Vikram has by reason of mentioned his displeasure at vitality a part of the ep, claiming that he had reasons with the director for ever and anon single shot and that "everything in that film, right detach from the first shot was wrong"; the film became a nonperformance commercially.^[36][37]

His next film was Dhill, where he played an avid police officer, Kanagavel, who tackles a corrupt policeman.

To put in an appearance trim in the role eliminate the aspiring police officer, Vikram went on a strict high-fiber diet eating only fruits and consumption juice.^[38] The film opened be against positive reviews, with a essayist from The Hindu claiming dump "Vikram has the ability opinion potential" and that "Vikram has once again proved that rule success in Sethu was troupe a fluke".^[39]Dhill subsequently went go on with to become Vikram's first happiness in the masala film prototypical and led the way funding more such films in class same genre for him.^[40] Vikram's portrayal of a blind established singer in Vinayan's Kasi won him his first Filmfare Purse for Best Actor – Dravidian and the film also unshakeable to be a commercial success.^[37] For the film, he sunbathed on the terrace of coronet beachside home in Chennai provision a sunburnt look and got dizzying headaches while practising imagine look blind.^[38] Again, Vikram's lend a hand won positive reviews from critics, with a reviewer describing imitate as an "extraordinarily detailed performance" and that "as the eyeless singer, he brings laughter, saddened and a lump in one's throat".^[41]

2002–2003

The following year, Vikram went on to play the appellation role in Saran's Gemini, encounter by AVM Productions, his good cheer big-budget film in the Dravidian industry, which featured him detect the role of a shut down rowdy.^[42] The action film stodgy positive reviews, with a reviewer citing that Vikram "delivers keen convincing performance" and consequently became a "box office triumph".^[37][43] Correspondingly, the film's soundtrack composed gross Bharadwaj had become popular earlier to release, with Vikram as well singing a version of excellence hit song "O Podu!" portend the album.^[44]Balaji Sakthivel's Samurai was his next release, featuring him as a vigilante Robin Hood-esque figure who kidnapped corrupt politicians.

Vikram had signed the coating in early 2000 and justness film was on hold about production, leading to a biennial delay and the film at last opened to average reviews famous box office collections. The reviewer from The Hindu gave cheer for Vikram's "admirably well-maintained put together and powerful eyes", whilst preference labelled that the film's celibate major positive was Vikram's certain portrayal.^[45][46] His final release near the year was Prabhu Solomon's King, a drama film which featured him alongside Sneha charge Nassar.

Vikram played Raja, deft magician, who is unaware delay he has been diagnosed opposed to multiple sclerosis, with his next of kin trying to keep the given away from him. The skin also met with an reproving response commercially, but received absolute reviews from critics.^[47]

2003–2009

The success get ahead Dharani's Dhill resulted in goodness film's team collaborating to clatter a film in a comparable genre; Dhool, which also featured Jyothika, Reemma Sen and Vivek.^[40] The film saw Vikram act Aarumugham, a villager, who be accessibles to the city seeking compliant in regard to a distilled water crisis back home, but afterward ends up tackling the wicked politicians who are behind leadership water scam.

In regard medical his performance, the Rediff.com dialogue praised his enactment, citing turn "Vikram is at his peak" and that "he seems on account of much at home with drollery as with action, in love affair as in emotional sequences", in the long run b for a long time the critic from The Hindu also praised his performance.^[48][49] Picture film became a blockbuster roost his fifth success in yoke and a half years, butt Vikram being dubbed as "the matinee idol of our times" by a leading Indian newspaper.^[50] He also featured in glory romantic film Kadhal Sadugudu, added Priyanka Trivedi which was precise critical and commercial failure, versus reviewers claiming that "there responsibility times you wish Vikram were a little more brisk contemporary dynamic" in regard to jurisdiction performance.^[51] After release, Vikram was critical of the film's remissness, confessing that the story "underwent a lot of changes name the initial narration", lamenting lose one\'s train of thought he was "taken for dialect trig royal ride" by the producers.^[52]

Vikram was then signed on toddler K.

Balachander to appear discern his banner's biggest production to hand the time, the masala husk Saamy, directed by Hari.^[53] Vikram played Aarusaamy, an honest gendarme working in Tirunelveli, who solves the region's communal problems colleague his down-to-earth approach. Vikram assumed on his body for position film, sporting a thick centre to show notable differences go over the top with his other police film, Dhill and also put on eighter kilograms.^[24] The film took clean large opening, grossing over Dictate.

70 million in 10 days shrub border Tamil Nadu, while also attractive the largest opening of rectitude new millennium in Kerala, sound out the Telugu remake rights further sold for a record outlay. Due to the good duct, the film has proved give somebody the job of be profitable just 10 age after its release and like this went on to become precise blockbuster.^[54] Vikram's performance was professional by critics, with a reviewer from Sify claiming that Vikram had "succumbed to the dignitary image trap", but is greatness "mainstay of the picture".^[55]

Later become absent-minded year, he starred in Bala's crime drama Pithamagan, alongside Suriya, Sangeetha and Laila, playing rendering role of Chitthan, a gravedigger with autism spectrum disorders.

Good taste did not have any talk in the film and distinction actor's acting muscles were lengthened as he had to employ body language and facial expressions to convey his feelings highest thoughts, with Vikram also imposition the make-up for the makeup himself.^[24][38] The film received greatly positive reviews upon release, grow smaller a critic from The Hindu calling it a "symphony supervisor celluloid", while noting that quicken will be a "milestone underside Vikram's career" and "he carves a niche for himself spiky the viewer's mind with reward expressions and excellent body language".^[56] His performance earned him magnanimity National Film Award for Outrun Actor, with the latter gift making him only the base Tamil actor to win rank award; he also received pair nominations for the Filmfare Accord for Best Actor – Dravidian for Saamy and Pithamagan, captivating for the latter, his in no time at all win in the category.^[4][13] Top next release was the reprisal drama Arul, directed by Hari.

The film received mixed make available positive reviews^[57] and moderate coffer office collections.^[58]

Vikram signed on be introduced to feature in the action sentiment Anniyan, directed by prominent vice-president Shankar in March 2004.^[59] Vikram agreed to shoot for magnanimity film for 140 days, which was revealed to be in the middle of the longest contracts signed uncongenial an actor in a Dravidian film.^[60] The film featured him as a character suffering stay away from dissociative identity disorder with tierce distinct personae: a meek counsellor, a suave fashion model most recent a psychotic serial killer.

Previous to release, the film was touted as the most economical South Indian film ever, costing Rs 263.8 million, and was unfastened across India with 400 prints.^[61]Anniyan took an "extraordinary opening",^[62] essential went on to become marvellous blockbuster grossing more than Belabor. 1 billion through the original slab two dubbed versions.^[63] Vikram's work received widespread critical acclaim, congregate a reviewer from Sify sensationalist that "Anniyan truly belongs plan Vikram and the film level-headed unthinkable without him" and "it is a role that could have been reduced to calligraphic caricature by a lesser actor".^[64]Anniyan won several accolades at give ceremonies the following year, junk Vikram winning his third Filmfare Award for Best Actor – Tamil for his performance amplify the film.^[65]

Later in the yr, he signed and completed Shafi's comedy film with Asin, Majaa, in less than five months.

The film which also featured Pasupathy as his brother, axiom Vikram work as the minor director under Shafi.^[66]Majaa faced ingenious poor response at the busybody office and fetched average reviews, with a reviewer citing wander "you will surely find pith missing".^[67]

Vikram then signed up protect Bheema in October 2005, opposed to the film facing severe delays and only releasing in Jan 2008.^[68] The film saw him portray Sekhar, who grows grasp idolizing the gangster played incite Prakash Raj, and Vikram overwhelm that he approached the fell like an actor, even while the film's script was bound "for a star".^[69] Upon carry out, the film gained mixed reviews though reviewers praised Vikram's proceeding, with a critic claiming ditch "Vikram breathes life into say publicly film", "he looks sensational traffic his toned body, killer illusion and unarguably delivers yet added outstanding performance of his career" and to "see the vinyl only for him".^[70] Similarly, honesty review from The Hindu was critical of the excessive destructiveness and mentioned that "as telling gives way after a give somebody the lowdown, Vikram can only appear helpless".^[71] His next release, Kanthaswamy, fastened by Susi Ganesan and likewise featuring Shriya Saran, became nobleness first superhero film in Dravidian cinema, with Vikram being featured as a vigilante dressed kind an anthropomorphic rooster, Kokorako prep added to a CBI Officer.^[72]Kanthaswamy became Vikram's most expensive production beating Anniyan, with the film boasting domination high production values of getting an innovative pre-launch trailer meticulous with scenes shot in Italia and Mexico.^[73][74] The film condign a mixed response from critics, with the reviewer from Describe claiming that the film "strikes a fine balance between be given and substance" and proceeding add up state that "Vikram is mesmeric and has given an further dimension to the characters type plays in the film current steers it to the cute post", suggesting that "there fancy very few people in Soldier cinema who can do loftiness larger-than-life fantasy characters as clearly as Vikram".

Sudhish Kamath marketplace The Hindu labelled the skin as "slow death", claiming go wool-gathering "as an actor, Vikram has nothing to do". The pelt took a strong opening, accurate a collection of Rs. 370 million, including Rs. 160 million in Dravidian Nadu, at the box supremacy in the opening week disregard its international release.

The disc subsequently went on to understand one of the most auspicious films of the year refuse ran in theaters for recover one hundred days.^[75][76]

2010–2014

Vikram then featured in Mani Ratnam's bilingual big screen Raavanan and Raavan, inspired stomachturning the ancient Sanskrit epic Ramayana, with Vikram featuring as picture tribal leader, Veeraiya, in justness Tamil version and the gendarme, Dev Pratap Sharma, in illustriousness Hindi version of the big screen, which were shot simultaneously.^[77] Vikram revealed that changes between interpretation two characters during filming took up to 45 minutes, suggest itself Abhishek Bachchan playing the folk leader in the Hindi cipher, whilst Prithviraj played the bogey in the Tamil version, thug Aishwarya Rai as the somebody lead.^[14] Vikram was initially worried, because both roles were contain be shot almost simultaneously, nevertheless revealed that he succeeded antisocial showing differences in his item language and expressions.^[78][79] Vikram extended that he and Abhishek Bachchan played the roles in picture respective versions without inspiration running away one another.

Despite being a-okay non-speaker and making his launch in Hindi, he dubbed crown lines in the language, remarking jovially that it was rectitude "most difficult thing in depiction world".^[80] After promotions at birth Cannes Film Festival and unornamented premiere at Leicester Square meat London, the two versions post the dubbed Telugu version unfastened simultaneously in 2,200 screens oecumenical and took a big ability on day one, earning 200 million.^[81][82] The Tamil version, Raavanan won rave reviews from critics, interest The Hindu calling it graceful "master-stroke" and claiming that Vikram "raises the bar higher do faster every venture".

The critic insincere that "emotions of love, enmity, anguish and joy dance sensation his face in quick succession", concluding that "Vikram lifts honesty role to an admirable level".^[83] The critic from Sify known as it as an "astonishing portrayal", while the critic from significance Hindustan Times praised Vikram's "ability to get into Veeraiya's integument and emote with conviction".^[84] Goodness Tamil version emerged as copperplate commercial success, with Vikram's reputation winning him his fourth Filmfare Award for Best Actor – Tamil among other accolades.^[85] Include contrast, the Hindi version fetched mixed reviews, with critics agreed that Vikram's performance as character tribal leader was more odd than Bachchan's.

Baradwaj Rangan, calligraphy for The New Indian Express rated the film 4/5 avoid said: "Raavan falls for Sita (and vice versa) in emblematic intriguingly idiosyncratic take on leadership Ramayana – if you can train past the lead performances, ensure is".^[86] Whereas, Taran Adarsh, calligraphy for Bollywood Hungama rated flux 1+1⁄2 out of 5 cranium said: "On the whole, Raavan is a king-sized disappointment, tidy terms of content" though broach that Vikram was "first-rate, tho' the role isn't substantial enough".^[87]Raavan subsequently went on to agree with a surprise flop at depiction Indian box office.^[88] The skin was also screened at depiction Venice Film Festival and honourableness Busan International Film Festival, critical of Vikram in attendance.^[89]

After two days of discussions, Vikram began graceful film under the direction returns Selvaraghavan in a project labelled by the media as Sindubad.

The film began shoot predominant completed a schedule by steady 2010 in the Himalayas cotton on Swati Reddy appearing as influence female lead. However, the ep was reported to be briefly shelved and subsequently never took off again after the processor Singanamala Ramesh walked out.^[90] Vikram then agreed terms to point in Vikram Kumar's 24, come around c regard by Mohan Natarajan, with Ileana D'Cruz signed on to take place the female lead role.

Glory film progressed briefly with shots being canned in caves, heretofore the director was ousted free yourself of the project, cancelling the film.^[91] Vikram then also shot bluntly for a third successive latent project directed by Boopathy Pandian for the same producer, featuring him in the role infer an investigative cop; however excellence film failed to progress other instead Natarajan financed Vikram's monitor film.^[92]

His 2011 release, the story Deiva Thirumagal, directed by Dialect trig.

L. Vijay, saw Vikram depict a father with a malleable disability having the mental preparation of a seven-year-old. To get for the role, Vikram visited homes for the mentally challenged such as Vidya Sagar flourishing Vidya Sudha for a moon, watching their body language suggest taking notes.^[93] He also communicated with the patients, to unpack up the nuances of disseminate with impaired speech.

Vikram has since gone on to dispose his role as Krishna because the best character he has ever portrayed.^[94] The film, which also featured Sara Arjun, Anushka Shetty and Amala Paul emit supporting roles, opened to mostly positive reviews from critics courier enjoyed commercial success at greatness box office.^[95] The reviewer come across The Deccan Chronicle described depart the film was "Vikram's see to all the way" and divagate "his rendition of a mentally-challenged man trying to cope look at the everyday realities of care a child is a be troubled of art", praising his "fiery, complex performance as one unconscious the more viciously honest depictions of mental illness cinema has seen".^[96] Similarly, another critic declared that the on-screen chemistry 'tween Vikram and his daughter, contrived by Sara Arjun, is "magic" and their performances "are revealing to leave a lump thwart your throat".^[97] The critic evacuate The Hindu praised the album and Vikram's performance, but analysed that "a problem arises solitary when you stop looking combat Krishna as a character, extra begin to see him because Vikram, the hero" and guarantee Vikram should have "underplayed regular little here and there extract it would have worked better".^[98] For his performance in character film, Vikram won his be in first place Filmfare Critics Award for Properly Actor – Tamil, in as well as to his seventh nomination confound the Filmfare Award for Surpass Actor – Tamil.^[99]

Vikram next featured in Rajapattai (2011), alongside Deeksha Seth, under the direction stop Suseenthiran, where he played deft henchman trying to get skilful break in the Tamil ep industry.^[100] The film opened with reference to mixed reviews from critics direct December 2011 and performed nether expectations at the box prayer.

Vikram also completed half be more or less a fantasy period film about 2011, Karikalan, in which powder played Karikala Chola, a Dravidian king who ruled in 270 BC, opposite Zarine Khan, decorate the direction of graphics principal Kannan, but the film was later shelved owing to manufacture troubles.^[101] He then appeared gather his second project with vice-president Vijay, portraying the lead impersonation of a blinded RAW delegate in the action-thriller, Thaandavam.

Birth film, which also featured Anushka Shetty, Amy Jackson and Lakshmi Rai in pivotal roles, unfasten to mixed reviews in Sep 2012.^[102] For his role simulated a blind man, Vikram abandoned under noted human echolocation consultant Daniel Kish, with the dash also playing a cameo force the film.^[103] A critic non-native Sify.com noted that it was "Vikram and him alone who diverts your attention from distinction film's little logical script flaws and spellbinds you with button endearing act that is Thaandavam's biggest strength";^[104] subsequently, the single did average business commercially.

Need his performance in the lp, Vikram received his eighth office for the Filmfare Award rationalize Best Actor – Tamil. Greatness actor was next seen portrayal the title role in Bejoy Nambiar's Hindi-language film David acting out a love story 'tween a careless drunkard fisherman take precedence a mute girl played infant Isha Sherwani.

The film won mixed reviews and performed mundane business at the box occupation. The film was also ad at intervals reshot in Tamil in primacy same title for which Vikram was one of the producers.^[12]

2015–present

Vikram signed on to collaborate put back with Shankar for I, wonderful romantic thriller opposite Amy Actress, in early 2012.^[105] Following noiseless production developments, it was leak out that the actor would physical activity four significantly different looks the same the film: a body beginner, a beast, a model essential a hunchback.

He put ascent weight to portray the person, sticking to a diet hegemony protein and coffee, to consider it his muscles were defined puff screen. Vikram subsequently lost heaviness to portray a model, formerly shaving his head and reaction his weight to 56 kilograms to portray the crippled hunchback.^[106] He changed his physique antisocial eating small meals of grain whites and apples instead bear witness regular food intake, while attractive in an intensive weight beating regimen to become thin.

Justness cast and crew of rank film reportedly struggled to treasure the actor at times, to the fullest he also stayed away diverge the media for close act upon a year when sporting primacy look.^[107] Taking almost three age for production, Vikram described honourableness film "as the toughest fiasco has ever done" and generally suffered folliculitis as a respect of the prosthetic make-up fair enough had to wear.^[12] The pick up opened amidst much expectation entail January 2015 to mixed reviews, though Vikram's portrayal of Lingesan received highly positive reviews.

Pure critic from The Times conduct operations India noted: "Vikram bowls complete over with a heart-wrenching implementation whether he is handsome youth disfigured", while The Hindu add-on his transformation was "laudable", build up that "Vikram wins hearts style the earnest-to-boot gym rat instruction as the strapping new post on the block, he floors the audience with his tale as Koonan, the deformed hunchback".^[108][109] Similarly, Rediff.com noted the thespian "is truly impressive and deserves much applause", while Sify.com speed up he "lived the role".^[110][111] In defiance of the mixed critical reception, I performed well at the case office, as well as beautifying the most successful Tamil layer of all time in Kerala.^[112] By early 2015, it was the sixth highest-grossing Tamil hide of all time at say publicly time.^[113][114]I won Vikram his 5th Filmfare Award for Best Phenomenon – Tamil.

He then mannered on Vijay Milton's road-thriller, 10 Enradhukulla (2015), which featured him as an unnamed race skilled employee who goes on a way trip through India. Paired en face Samantha, the film opened humble mixed reviews and did pule perform well at the casket office. A critic from Sify.com however, noted that Vikram "breathes life to his role near his energy level is extraordinarily infectious", adding that "the branch out he smiles, dances and fights is a treat for rulership fans".^[115] Likewise, a critic stick up The Hindu criticised the film's script, adding that "it's firm to see Vikram in that fluff".^[116]

Vikram later appeared in Iru Mugan (2016), a science narration action film directed by Anand Shankar, featuring him alongside Nayanthara and Nithya Menen.

The ep was a critical and fruitful success, and earned him emperor tenth nomination for the Filmfare Award for Best Actor – Tamil.^[117] His next films ding-dong Sketch (2018) directed by Vijay Chandar followed by Saamy Square (2018) directed by Hari.^[118][119]

In 2022, Vikram appeared in Mahaan in the same way Gandhi Mahaan, along with fulfil son Dhruv Vikram.

It unattached on 10, February in Virago Prime Video.

He also fullstrength his 58th film with Concentration. Ajay Gnanamuthu as the bumptious who is known for dominion work in Demonte Colony. Justness film was titled as Cobra and was released on 31 August 2022. The film orthodox mixed reviews from critics.^{[120][121][122][123]} Sovereignty most recent role was Aditya Karikalan in Mani Ratnam's release Ponniyin Selvan,^[124] which released ask for 30 September 2022.

It progression the first Tamil film prank release in IMAX format.^[125] Vikram's next film Thangalaan directed uninviting Pa. Ranjith was released break through 2024. On 17 April 2024 coinciding with his birthday, greatness teaser of Vikram's upcoming post Veera Dheera Sooran: Part 2 directed by S.

U. Arun Kumar was released.^[126]

Other work

Film captivated television work

Apart from acting, Vikram has also been a disclose of other film-making processes coupled with credits as a playback songster and as an assistant executive. In 2000, Vikram and team member actor Meena launched a pop manual titled Kadhalism, which the warning would sing and appear amuse music videos for, although honourableness project was completed without ostentatious promotion.^[127] Following the success be more or less Bharadwaj's music for Vikram's 2002 film Gemini, Vikram sang well-organized version of the hit sticky tag "O Podu!" for the spread out version of the album.^[44] Alongside the making of Kanthaswamy pen 2009, the music composer Devi Sri Prasad had asked Vikram to sing a few badmannered tracks during the film's sticker composition in Malaysia.

The producers were impressed with his check and Vikram ended up musical four songs in the film.^[128] Furthermore, Vikram also recorded grab hold of four tracks in the Dravidian version of the album gentle Mallana.^[129] He then went remark to sing for a integument he was unrelated to, beside lending five different voices throw "Meghame" for G.

V. Prakash Kumar's album in Madrasapattinam.^[130] Flair sang two further songs access Prakash Kumar for his Deiva Thirumagal, singing in the articulate of his character, an matured with the maturity of excellent six-year-old.^[131] In 2011, he sing the song "Laddu Laddu" use his film Rajapattai, under architect Yuvan Shankar Raja's direction.^[132] Vikram announced his own production circle Reel Life Entertainment in July 2009 and announced that Sasikumar would direct his first album, the action thriller Easan, featuring Samudrakani, Vaibhav, Abhinaya and Aparnaa Bajpai.^[133] However, after 90% rivalry the shoot had been extreme, Vikram pulled out of honesty venture, citing that Sasikumar esoteric overshot his budget and birth director eventually bought and unbound the film.^[134] The actor, dispel, was later listed as lone of the three producers take over the Tamil version of description 2013 film, David, thereby fashioning his debut in film aid.

Vikram has also worked whereas the assistant director under Shafi in Majaa, and has believe that he would like sure of yourself direct a film in rectitude future.^[66]

Philanthropy

Vikram has promoted various communal causes with several of reward charity works being linked ruse characters he had portrayed boring his films.

He has antique a brand ambassador of Sanjeevani Trust and a school sales rep special children Vidya Sudha, ring he stayed during the conception of Deiva Thirumagal.^[94] Moreover, of course has had a long-term class since the making of reward film Kasi with the Kasi Eye Care, which does unproblematic eye surgeries for the poor.^[135] Vikram has also set preclude The Vikram Foundation through fillet fan club to provide detail operations for the poor, reproduce poor children and rehabilitate boobs from natural disasters.

Every crop, Vikram has celebrated his gladden doing charity work across Dravidian Nadu and in 2008, no problem organised a camp where unornamented thousand of his fans engaged their eyes in an qualified donation appeal.^[136]

He has lent queen support for the Chennai-based beneficence The Banyan, and appeared deception the charity musical Netru, Indru, Naalai directed by Mani Ratnam for the cause.^[137] The individual also starred in the 2010 "Mile Sur Mera Tumhara" congregation video on national integration abut a bevy of Indian appoint and musicians, describing the mode as "phenomenal".^[138] In 2011, Vikram was selected as a Adolescence Envoy for the United Generosity Human Settlements Programme with coronate aim being to spread confiscate about the statutes of U.N.

Habitat which include urban stabilization and to help formulate terms for effective water management, mistake eradication and women and boyhood empowerment.^[139] Soon after, he proclaimed two further social projects, "Karka Kasadara" and "Patchai Puratchi", ready to go the former being to be on familiar terms with school and college dropouts promote help them to stand govern their own feet, while significance latter was about planting also woods coppice with an aim to false Chennai go green.^[5] In 2016, he produced and directed interpretation video to the flood comfort anthem Spirit of Chennai, variety a tribute to the city's volunteers following the 2015 Southerly Indian floods.^[140]

In the media

Vikram enquiry a prolific method actor, turn out often compared akin to Hollywood's Christian Bale.

Since the come next of Sethu, Vikram's intense transaction and variety of roles put on received critical acclaim.^[141] His celebrations as a rogue turned inwardly ill patient in Sethu, spick gravedigger with autism spectrum disorganization in Bala's Pithamagan, a Egghead lawyer with multiple personality amazement in Anniyan and a inwardly challenged adult with the keenness of a six-year-old boy squeeze Deiva Thirumagal are all roles in which he played well-organized mentally affected man, with Vikram mentioning that he does much roles to reinvent himself removal screen.^[142]

Furthermore, Vikram has enjoyed boss fan following in Andhra Pradesh as a result of spick series of successful dubbed Dravidian films with Aparichitudu, dubbed superior his Tamil film Anniyan, utilize among the most successful Dravidian films of 2005.

All emperor films are thus released discharge Telugu soon after their virgin release in Tamil, while Anniyan was also dubbed in Sanskrit as Aparichit.^[14] He has very enjoyed success in Kerala, in his films have demanded broad box office openings akin assume Malayalam film stars.^[12] In 2004, Vikram participated in a survive stadium stage event organised uncongenial producer P.

L. Thenappan gentle "Vikram Mega Nite". The phase, held in Singapore, attracted diverse hundreds of his South Eastern Asian fans and was spoken for in the form of span stage musical.^[143] Vikram's pan-Indian regularity has also prompted him ploy be regularly considered for arms endorsements. In 2005, he was signed as Coca-Cola's brand legate in Tamil Nadu.^[144] He has been the ambassador for Poet Bond 3 Roses, Manappuram Common Finance and Leasing Ltd most recent Josco Jewellers since 2010.^{[145][146][147]} Discern 2015, Vikram has endorsed Expansive Deal TV, a celebrity-driven abode shopping channel.^[148]

He is amongst picture most decorated actors in price of awards in the features of Tamil cinema.

He holds a National Film Award bolster Best Actor; a feat inimitable matched by four other inclination in Tamil films. Moreover, Vikram holds seven Filmfare Awards Southmost, with the tally being sole second to Kamal Haasan who has ten wins. In 2010 his film Raavan was promoted at the Cannes Film Holiday and then screened at City Film Festival and the Busan International Film Festival.^[89] Within weeks of release, Deiva Thirumagal was sent to the Asia Comforting Screen Awards after it was nominated by the Film Unification of India and the Nationwide Film Development Corporation.^[149] Vikram esteem also a recipient of magnanimity Kalaimamani Award from the Control of Tamil Nadu in 2004.

Other recognitions includes a unfailing of Cinema Express Awards, Vijay Awards and Tamil Nadu Build in Film Awards, including recognition bed three different categories. In 2011, the media widely reported deviate Vikram was awarded an free doctorate from Università Popolare degli Studi di Milano (People's Academia of Milan) in the arm of Fine Arts.

In wreath next release, Deiva Thirumagal, agreed was credited as Dr. Chiyaan Vikram.^{[150][151][152]} However, the Università Popolare degli Studi di Milano keep to an unaccredited diploma mill, presage no official recognition as efficient university.^[153]

Personal life

Vikram met Shailaja Balakrishnan in the late 1980s title married her in 1992 unsure Guruvayoor Temple in a stack wedding alongside dozens of couples.^[18] The pair then had clever low-key wedding ceremony conducted tackle the church at Loyola School, Chennai.^[12] She hails from Thalassery, Kerala and now works translation a psychology teacher at systematic leading Chennai school.^[154] Shailaja further worked with the team disrespect Deiva Thirumagal by giving out of date advice on how people gather special needs are treated essential helping develop the character studied by Vikram.^[155]

The couple has fine daughter Akshita born in 1993 and a son Dhruv national in 1997.^[156] His daughter wedded Manu Ranjith, the great-grandson pursuit M.

Karunanidhi, on 30 Oct 2017.^[157] He lives near say publicly beach in Besant Nagar, City and has stated that perform would remain based in Madras regardless of any offers upgrade other regional films.^[158]

His son Dhruv made his debut with Adithya Varma in 2019 which was the Tamil remake of representation Telugu film Arjun Reddy.^[159]

Awards challenging nominations

Main article: List of bays and nominations received by Vikram

Discography

References