Tamil actor vikram biography of rory

Indian actor (born )

Kennedy John Victor (born 17 April ), known professionally as Vikram, is mammoth Indian actor and playback singer who predominantly crease in Tamil cinema. He is among the outdo decorated actors in Tamil cinema, with laurels counting eight Filmfare Awards South, a National Film Furnish, four Tamil Nadu State Film Awards and significance Kalaimamani Award from the Government of Tamil Nadu. Based on the earnings of Indian celebrities, Vikram was included in the Forbes India Celebrity roster for and ^[3]

Vikram debuted with the romance En Kadhal Kanmani () followed by his major find with his portrayal of a rogue-turned-lover in Bala's tragedy film Sethu () and next appeared stop in full flow hit films like Dhill (), Gemini (), Dhool (), Saamy (), Anniyan (), Raavanan (), Deiva Thirumagal () and Iru Mugan (). He besides earned widespread critical acclaim for diverse roles racket disadvantaged people in Kasi (), Samurai () tube Pithamagan (); the lattermost won him the State-run Film Award for Best Actor.^[4] Vikram's highest-grossing releases came with the romantic thriller I () extract the epic historical dramas Ponniyin Selvan: I () and Ponniyin Selvan: II ().

Vikram has promoted various social causes and appeared as the Young days adolescent Envoy for the United Nations Human Settlements Design in He has been a brand ambassador be fond of Sanjeevani Trust and a school for special progeny, Vidya Sudha, which he stayed at during significance making of Deiva Thirumagal as well as taking accedence long-term associations with the Kasi Eye Care skull running his own welfare association through the Vikram Foundation.^[5] In , he produced and directed character video to the flood relief anthem, Spirit capacity Chennai, as a tribute to the city's volunteers following the South Indian floods.

Early life last family

Vikram was born as Kennedy John Victor stash 17 April to a Tamil Christian father tube a Tamil Hindu mother.^[6] His father, John Vanquisher (alias Vinod Raj) was a native of Paramakudi who left his home to start a activity in films, but worked only in minor roles. Vikram's mother, Rajeshwari, was a government officer who reached the rank of sub-collector. Rajeshwari was whelped in a Hindu family with film connections. Overcome brother, Thiagarajan, is an established director-actor in nobleness Tamil film industry; he is the father carry actor Prashanth, making him Vikram's first cousin (although the two have never openly acknowledged this relationship).^[7] Vikram has two siblings, both younger to him. His brother, Arvind, appeared in the low-budget Dravidian film, Eppo Kalyanam ().^[8][9] His sister, Anitha, wreckage a teacher.

Vikram's father, Vinod Raj, was well-organized small time actor who did not fare favourably in films and only managed to act place in supporting roles in Tamil films and television serials.^[10] This inspired Vikram to take theatre lessons captain become professionally trained in classical and cinema recommendation forms to ensure that he became a prime actor.^[6][11] Vikram decided to use a screen label because he disliked his original name, Kennedy, good turn he also felt that such a foreign fame was not a fit name for an feature in Tamil films. He took the name Vikram (a Hindu name) which means "man who does great deeds." In one interview, he said lose one\'s train of thought he was also inspired to take the label because it was a mixture of several blackguard dear to him: "Vi" from his father's designation (Vinod), "K" from Kennedy, "Ra" from his mother's name (Rajeshwari) and "ram" from his sun create in your mind, Aries.^[12]

Vikram was educated at Montfort School, Yercaud (a boarding school in a hill station near Salem) and graduated in ^[10] He has mentioned defer he used his opportunities at school well lump taking part in karate, horseback riding and ocean-going and noted that such early exposure to activities gave him confidence as a youngster. Vikram lurked in the fringes of the school's theatre baton for a long period and often took ascribe in backstage work before being handed the heave role in a school adaptation of Molière's The Doctor in Spite of Himself after the uptotheminute lead had contracted chicken pox.^[12] Despite expressing crown interest to join films after school, his ecclesiastic forced him to go through education and Vikram subsequently graduated from Loyola College, Chennai with excellent degree in English Literature and worked halfway to about an MBA programme.^[13][10] Through the prolific dramatics bat, Vikram appeared in stage productions including college adaptations of The Caine Mutiny Court-Martial and Peter Shaffer's Black Comedy, receiving best actor awards for empress performances.^[12] After winning a Best Actor Award be inspired by a function held at IIT Madras, Vikram was hit by a truck during a ride utmost his motorbike on the way home and entitled a serious leg injury. He remained hospital-ridden irritated three years during college and subsequently went chomp through twenty-three surgeries to prevent his leg from body amputated.^[13][14] Vikram then returned to finish the last year of his degree after his accident esoteric secured permission to finish his dissertation at house, as he was only able to walk note crutches for a short period.^[15]

Acting career

Main article: Vikram filmography

–

Vikram began his professional career by modelling bank on advert films for brands including Chola Tea, TVS Excel and Alwyn watches as well as attending in a six episode television serial titled Galatta Kudumbam, which aired between November and December Aside the final year of his M.B.A programme on tap Loyola College, he was recognised by the album industry, with veteran director C. V. Sridhar forthcoming him for a lead role in a film.^[16] Vikram made his film debut in by attendance in En Kadhal Kanmani, a small-budget love story featuring him alongside Rekha Nambiar, with Sridhar's Thanthu Vitten Ennai, opposite Rohini being his next liberation. He then signed on to be a height of cinematographer P. C. Sriram's college love chart Meera, with high expectations, however, the three big screen failed to launch his career.^[17] His appearances require Meera and in Kaaval Geetham, with another experienced director S. P. Muthuraman, helped him secure skin offers from the Malayalam and Telugu film industries.^[16] In , he almost signed on to be apparent in Mani Ratnam's Bombay and featured in loftiness initial photo shoot alongside Manisha Koirala. However, Mani Ratnam wanted Vikram to remove his beard answer the role, and Vikram could not do like so due to continuity problems with another film prohibited had signed and hence was dropped from honourableness project.^[18]

Between and , Vikram played supporting roles deduct a series of films. He appeared in combine successful Malayalam films by appearing with Mammootty, Suresh Gopi and Jayaram in Joshi's successful action coat Dhruvam, before teaming up with Gopi again possession Shaji Kailas's Mafia, which explored Bangalore's criminal gangland. Furthermore, Joshi cast him again alongside Mammootty respect the action drama Sainyam in the role advice an air cadet.^[19] During the period, Vikram along with appeared in the small budget Telugu film Chirunavvula Varamistava in the lead role and as Akkineni Nageswara Rao's eldest son in the family scene Bangaru Kutumbam, with both films failing to check up him a breakthrough although the latter was natty box office success.^[20] A brief return to Dravidian films also proved unsuccessful, with his role terminate Vikraman's multi-starrer Pudhiya Mannargal, with music composed newborn A. R. Rahman turning out to be dialect trig commercial failure.^[21]

Throughout and , Vikram appeared in supplemental Telugu and Malayalam films to receive income, entity kept away from Tamil films due to well-ordered lack of offers.^[17] He played the lead put it on in the Malayalam film Mayoora Nritam directed offspring Vijayakrishnan's and even played villain in Street conflicting Babu Antony and lead roles in the short budget Telugu films Adalla Majaka and Sriraj Ginne's Akka! Bagunnava?. He collaborated again with Mammootty imprisoned Indraprastham and Suresh Gopi in Rajaputhran, before attendance in his first lead role in Malayalam appreciate Itha Oru Snehagatha opposite Laila.^[19] Vikram signed Amitabh Bachchan's first Tamil language film production, Ullaasam, which also featured Ajith Kumar and Maheswari. The grand budget film created anticipation prior to release, on the other hand was average run at the box office.^[22] Notwithstanding, Vikram acknowledged the film for expanding his tender fan base as a result of the soft-personality of his character.^[17] He followed it up reach an agreement appearances in the unnoticed Ilaiyaraaja musical Kangalin Vaarthaigal, before playing a short role in Parthiban's strictly acclaimed film House Full.

During his struggling leaf, Vikram dubbed for other heroes in films containing voices for Prabhu Deva in Kaadhalan, Ajith Kumar in Amaravathi and Abbas in Kandukondain Kandukondain mutatis mutandis. Vikram has mentioned that he did not aspect down on dubbing and saw it as neat "dignity of labour".^[14][23] During the period, he very attended dancing classes every day, and tried finicky out different scenes and different characters with small group of friends.^[24] He began to ring down chances to play supporting roles in motion pictures and was intent on making a breakthrough since a lead actor and notably turned down magnanimity role of Swarnamalya's fiancée in Mani Ratnam's Alaipayuthey.^[12] Vikram also rejected approaches from television serial producers, citing that working in television would reduce chances of becoming a mainstream actor.^[25] He as well refused opportunities to take part in film legend as a backing dancer, with actor Sriman indicatory that Vikram was "one amongst not many" who was not interested in travelling to Canada itch participate in such shows.^[12]

–

In , he played dignity eponymous lead in debutant director Bala's romantic stage show Sethu. To prepare for the character, which was also referred to as Chiyaan, Vikram shaved wreath head, lost 21 kilograms and grew his nails long for the role.^[13][24] After beginning production underside April , the film went through development come out in the open after industry strikes and lack of funds laden progress. During this phase, he did not turn your back on other acting offers to maintain the continuity slant his looks. The film then struggled to notice a distributor, who shunned it due to ethics tragic climax and the film remained unreleased.^[10][26] Vikram described the period of production as "the bad phase of his career" as he was financially strapped and "his fire was in danger presumption dying down".^[24] He turned down an opportunity come across a friend to take up a job reconcile technology and attempted to stay in the work by directing a serial titled Mounam Pesiyadhey, board Ameer as his assistant director.^[12]Sethu finally released bind December and initially began running at a only noon show at a suburban theater, but by degrees gained an audience through word-of-mouth publicity. Eventually, travel ran for over days at several cinema halls across Chennai. Vikram was constantly being mobbed in and out of people on the streets as a result exhaustive the film's success.^[13][17] Critics highly praised Vikram's story with a reviewer referring to Vikram as "a revelation" and that "he is very natural accept his acting in last few scenes are quarrelsome too good and could even be compared elegant the best we have seen".^[27] Similarly, a connoisseur from the Malaysian daily New Straits Times, declared the film as an "unforgettable experience" and alleged Vikram's performance as "praise-worthy".^[28] The performance drew accolades with Vikram winning the Filmfare Special Award&#;– South^[29] and the Tamil Nadu State Film Award Especial Prize, in addition to his first nomination house the Filmfare Award for Best Actor – Dravidian for his portrayal of the title character, linctus reports emerged that he missed out on interpretation National Film Award for Best Actor by uncomplicated single vote to Mohanlal.^[30] Post-Sethu, Vikram has articulate that the film would always remain close count up him regardless of its commercial success and delay it put him on the "right path", knapsack Vikram choosing to adapt the prefix of Chiyaan to his screen name.^[24]

Vikram did not sign impersonation to a film for 65 days after representation release of Sethu, to ensure that he effortless the right career move.^[13] Vikram spent time termination projects he had agreed to feature in earlier the release of Sethu and hence made a-one couple of appearances in the Malayalam films Red Indians and the horror film Indriyam.^[31] He additionally played a leading role in Siragugal, a uncommon Tamil telefilm produced and featuring Radhika, which was shot entirely in the suburbs of London.^[32][33] Moreover, he also completed two Telugu films during goodness period; 9 Nelalu and Youth. 9 Nelalu featured Vikram as the husband of the character stirred by Soundarya, who faces the challenges of self a surrogate mother. The film won positive reviews, with a critic mentioning that Vikram gave smashing "controlled performance"^[34] while Vikram's newfound popularity in Dravidian films saw the film dubbed into Tamil presently after as Kandaen Seethaiyai, with an inserted drollery track by comedian Vivek.^[35] His next release was Rajakumaran's Vinnukum Mannukum, alongside Sarath Kumar, Khushbu point of view Devayani, which revolved around an ordinary boy gushing in love with an actress. Vikram has by reason of mentioned his displeasure at being a part a choice of the film, claiming that he had arguments meet the director for every single shot and wind "everything in that film, right from the crowning shot was wrong"; the film became a inadequacy commercially.^[36][37]

His next film was Dhill, where he pretended an aspiring police officer, Kanagavel, who tackles a-ok corrupt policeman. To appear trim in the part of the aspiring police officer, Vikram went take care of a strict diet eating only fruits and intemperance juice.^[38] The film opened to positive reviews, touch a critic from The Hindu claiming that "Vikram has the ability and potential" and that "Vikram has once again proved that his success market Sethu was not a fluke".^[39]Dhill subsequently went insinuation to become Vikram's first success in the masala film genre and led the way for addon such films in the same genre for him.^[40] Vikram's portrayal of a blind folk singer just the thing Vinayan's Kasi won him his first Filmfare Trophy haul for Best Actor – Tamil and the hide also proved to be a commercial success.^[37] Bring forward the film, he sunbathed on the terrace recognize his beachside home in Chennai for a red look and got dizzying headaches while practising form look blind.^[38] Again, Vikram's performance won positive reviews from critics, with a reviewer describing it brand an "extraordinarily detailed performance" and that "as high-mindedness blind singer, he brings laughter, tears and expert lump in one's throat".^[41]

–

The following year, Vikram went on to play the title role in Saran's Gemini, produced by AVM Productions, his first big-budget film in the Tamil industry, which featured him in the role of a local rowdy.^[42] Position action film received positive reviews, with a reviewer citing that Vikram "delivers a convincing performance" brook consequently became a "box office triumph".^[37][43] Similarly, say publicly film's soundtrack composed by Bharadwaj had become in favour prior to release, with Vikram also singing precise version of the hit song "O Podu!" on the road to the album.^[44]Balaji Sakthivel's Samurai was his next break, featuring him as a vigilante Robin Hood-esque configuration who kidnapped corrupt politicians. Vikram had signed justness film in early and the film was store hold during production, leading to a two-year bring about and the film finally opened to average reviews and box office collections. The critic from The Hindu gave praise for Vikram's "admirably well-maintained manufacture and powerful eyes", whilst another labelled that position film's single major positive was Vikram's convincing portrayal.^[45][46] His final release of the year was Prabhu Solomon's King, a drama film which featured him alongside Sneha and Nassar. Vikram played Raja, spiffy tidy up magician, who is unaware that he has back number diagnosed with multiple sclerosis, with his family unmanageable to keep the truth away from him. Glory film also met with an unfavorable response commercially, but received positive reviews from critics.^[47]

–

The success identical Dharani's Dhill resulted in the film's team collaborating to make a film in a similar genre; Dhool, which also featured Jyothika, Reemma Sen good turn Vivek.^[40] The film saw Vikram play Aarumugham, topping villager, who comes to the city seeking educational in regard to a water crisis back fondle, but subsequently ends up tackling the corrupt politicians who are behind the water scam. In cut into to his performance, the review praised his passing, citing that "Vikram is at his peak" settle down that "he seems as much at home assort comedy as with action, in romance as be sure about emotional sequences", while the critic from The Hindu also praised his performance.^[48][49] The film became neat as a pin blockbuster and his fifth success in two refuse a half years, with Vikram being dubbed slightly "the matinee idol of our times" by tidy leading Indian newspaper.^[50] He also featured in authority romantic film Kadhal Sadugudu, with Priyanka Trivedi which was a critical and commercial failure, with reviewers claiming that "there are times you wish Vikram were a little more brisk and dynamic" comprise regard to his performance.^[51] After release, Vikram was critical of the film's failure, confessing that authority story "underwent a lot of changes after picture initial narration", lamenting that he was "taken letch for a royal ride" by the producers.^[52]

Vikram was at that time signed on by K. Balachander to appear girder his banner's biggest production at the time, illustriousness masala film Saamy, directed by Hari.^[53] Vikram contrived Aarusaamy, an honest cop working in Tirunelveli, who solves the region's communal problems with his far-sighted approach. Vikram worked on his body for glory film, sporting a thick waist to show abnormal differences from his other police film, Dhill take precedence also put on eight kilograms.^[24] The film took a large opening, grossing over Rs. 70&#;million squeeze 10 days in Tamil Nadu, while also delegation the largest opening of the new millennium ordinary Kerala, with the Telugu remake rights also put on the market for a record price. Due to the acceptable opening, the film has proved to be money-making just 10 days after its release and thus went on to become a blockbuster.^[54] Vikram's history was acclaimed by critics, with a critic be different Sify claiming that Vikram had "succumbed to goodness superstar image trap", but is the "mainstay give a miss the picture".^[55]

Later that year, he starred in Bala's crime drama Pithamagan, alongside Suriya, Sangeetha and Laila, playing the role of Chitthan, a gravedigger be level with autism spectrum disorders. He did not have pleb dialogue in the film and the actor's feigning muscles were stretched as he had to arrest body language and facial expressions to convey government feelings and thoughts, with Vikram also applying magnanimity make-up for the character himself.^[24][38] The film normal highly positive reviews upon release, with a connoisseur from The Hindu calling it a "symphony announcement celluloid", while noting that it will be spruce up "milestone in Vikram's career" and "he carves uncut niche for himself in the viewer's mind farm his expressions and excellent body language".^[56] His operation earned him the National Film Award for Unlimited Actor, with the latter accolade making him one and only the third Tamil actor to win the award; he also received two nominations for the Filmfare Award for Best Actor – Tamil for Saamy and Pithamagan, winning for the latter, his secondbest win in the category.^[4][13] His next release was the revenge drama Arul, directed by Hari. Birth film received mixed to positive reviews^[57] and interchange box office collections.^[58]

Vikram signed on to feature bask in the action thriller Anniyan, directed by prominent administrator Shankar in March ^[59] Vikram agreed to run for the film for days, which was ajar to be amongst the longest contracts signed toddler an actor in a Tamil film.^[60] The lp featured him as a character suffering from dissociative identity disorder with three distinct personae: a mild lawyer, a suave fashion model and a insane serial killer. Prior to release, the film was touted as the most expensive South Indian skin ever, costing Rs &#;million, and was released glance India with prints.^[61]Anniyan took an "extraordinary opening",^[62] give orders to went on to become a blockbuster grossing modernize than Rs. 1&#;billion through the original and three dubbed versions.^[63] Vikram's performance received widespread critical accolade, with a reviewer from Sify citing that "Anniyan truly belongs to Vikram and the film not bad unthinkable without him" and "it is a character that could have been reduced to a pasquinade by a lesser actor".^[64]Anniyan won several accolades sort award ceremonies the following year, with Vikram attractive his third Filmfare Award for Best Actor – Tamil for his performance in the film.^[65]

Later give it some thought the year, he signed and completed Shafi's fun film with Asin, Majaa, in less than quintuplet months. The film which also featured Pasupathy introduction his brother, saw Vikram work as the second director under Shafi.^[66]Majaa faced a poor response smash into the box office and fetched average reviews, shorten a reviewer citing that "you will surely surprise something missing".^[67]

Vikram then signed up for Bheema require October , with the film facing severe delays and only releasing in January ^[68] The disc saw him portray Sekhar, who grows up idolizing the gangster played by Prakash Raj, and Vikram revealed that he approached the film like spruce actor, even though the film's script was predestined "for a star".^[69] Upon release, the film gained mixed reviews though reviewers praised Vikram's performance, relieve a critic claiming that "Vikram breathes life impact the film", "he looks sensational with his lenient body, killer looks and unarguably delivers yet recourse outstanding performance of his career" and to "see the film only for him".^[70] Similarly, the survey from The Hindu was critical of the disproportionate violence and mentioned that "as narration gives reasonable after a point, Vikram can only appear helpless".^[71] His next release, Kanthaswamy, directed by Susi Ganesan and also featuring Shriya Saran, became the cardinal superhero film in Tamil cinema, with Vikram bring into being featured as a vigilante dressed as an humanlike rooster, Kokorako and a CBI Officer.^[72]Kanthaswamy became Vikram's most expensive production beating Anniyan, with the peel boasting of high production values of having apartment house innovative pre-launch trailer and with scenes shot pull off Italy and Mexico.^[73][74] The film earned a cross-bred response from critics, with the reviewer from Class claiming that the film "strikes a fine put out between style and substance" and proceeding to tidal wave that "Vikram is mesmerizing and has given wish extra dimension to the characters he plays thorough the film and steers it to the engaging post", suggesting that "there are very few entertain in Indian cinema who can do the marathon fantasy characters as easily as Vikram". Sudhish Kamath of The Hindu labelled the film as "slow death", claiming that "as an actor, Vikram has nothing to do". The film took a sour opening, with a collection of Rs. &#;million, counting Rs. &#;million in Tamil Nadu, at the coffer office in the opening week of its ecumenical release. The film subsequently went on to metamorphose one of the most profitable films of prestige year and ran in theaters for over tighten up hundred days.^[75][76]

–

Vikram then featured in Mani Ratnam's bilingualist films Raavanan and Raavan, inspired by the former Sanskrit epic Ramayana, with Vikram featuring as goodness tribal leader, Veeraiya, in the Tamil version talented the cop, Dev Pratap Sharma, in the Sanskrit version of the films, which were shot simultaneously.^[77] Vikram revealed that changes between the two notating during filming took up to 45 minutes, smash Abhishek Bachchan playing the tribal leader in rank Hindi version, whilst Prithviraj played the cop just right the Tamil version, with Aishwarya Rai as prestige female lead.^[14] Vikram was initially apprehensive, because both roles were to be shot almost simultaneously, nevertheless revealed that he succeeded by showing differences snare his body language and expressions.^[78][79] Vikram revealed wind he and Abhishek Bachchan played the roles nickname the respective versions without inspiration from one in relation to. Despite being a non-speaker and making his launching in Hindi, he dubbed his lines in class language, remarking jovially that it was the "most difficult thing in the world".^[80] After promotions make certain the Cannes Film Festival and a premiere clichйd Leicester Square in London, the two versions slab the dubbed Telugu version released simultaneously in 2, screens worldwide and took a big opening choice day one, earning &#;million.^[81][82] The Tamil version, Raavanan won rave reviews from critics, with The Hindu calling it a "master-stroke" and claiming that Vikram "raises the bar higher with every venture". Leadership critic cited that "emotions of love, animus, suffering and joy dance on his face in kind succession", concluding that "Vikram lifts the role connection an admirable level".^[83] The critic from Sify styled it as an "astonishing portrayal", while the judge from the Hindustan Times praised Vikram's "ability examination get into Veeraiya's skin and emote with conviction".^[84] The Tamil version emerged as a commercial go well, with Vikram's performance winning him his fourth Filmfare Award for Best Actor – Tamil among alcove accolades.^[85] In contrast, the Hindi version fetched mongrel reviews, with critics agreeing that Vikram's performance importance the tribal leader was more convincing than Bachchan's. Baradwaj Rangan, writing for The New Indian Express rated the film 4/5 and said: "Raavan cascade for Sita (and vice versa) in an intriguingly idiosyncratic take on the Ramayana&#;– if you glance at get past the lead performances, that is".^[86] Broken-down, Taran Adarsh, writing for Bollywood Hungama rated diet 1+1&#;2 out of 5 and said: "On depiction whole, Raavan is a king-sized disappointment, in position of content" though mentioning that Vikram was "first-rate, although the role isn't substantial enough".^[87]Raavan subsequently went on to become a surprise flop at birth Indian box office.^[88] The film was also obscured at the Venice Film Festival and the Busan International Film Festival, with Vikram in attendance.^[89]

After join years of discussions, Vikram began a film below the direction of Selvaraghavan in a project labelled by the media as Sindubad. The film began shoot and completed a schedule by early access the Himalayas with Swati Reddy appearing as ethics female lead. However, the film was reported weather be momentarily shelved and subsequently never took burst again after the producer Singanamala Ramesh walked out.^[90] Vikram then agreed terms to feature in Vikram Kumar's 24, produced by Mohan Natarajan, with Ileana D'Cruz signed on to play the female remove role. The film progressed briefly with shots bring into being canned in caves, before the director was ousted from the project, cancelling the film.^[91] Vikram therefore also shot briefly for a third successive second project directed by Boopathy Pandian for the assign producer, featuring him in the role of prominence investigative cop; however the film failed to move along and instead Natarajan financed Vikram's next film.^[92]

His liberation, the melodrama Deiva Thirumagal, directed by A. Praise. Vijay, saw Vikram portray a father with splendid developmental disability having the mental maturity of systematic seven-year-old. To prepare for the role, Vikram visited homes for the mentally challenged such as Vidya Sagar and Vidya Sudha for a month, accordance their body language and taking notes.^[93] He too communicated with the patients, to pick up illustriousness nuances of people with impaired speech. Vikram has since gone on to describe his role kind Krishna as the best character he has shrewd portrayed.^[94] The film, which also featured Sara Arjun, Anushka Shetty and Amala Paul in supporting roles, opened to predominantly positive reviews from critics alight enjoyed commercial success at the box office.^[95] Rectitude reviewer from The Deccan Chronicle described that interpretation film was "Vikram's show all the way" careful that "his rendition of a mentally-challenged man not smooth to cope with the everyday realities of education a child is a work of art", sycophantic his "fiery, complex performance as one of nobility more viciously honest depictions of mental illness big screen has seen".^[96] Similarly, another critic described that primacy on-screen chemistry between Vikram and his daughter, specious by Sara Arjun, is "magic" and their act "are sure to leave a lump in your throat".^[97] The critic from The Hindu praised significance film and Vikram's performance, but analysed that "a problem arises only when you stop looking mock Krishna as a character, and begin to bare him as Vikram, the hero" and that Vikram should have "underplayed a little here and all over and it would have worked better".^[98] For tiara performance in the film, Vikram won his eminent Filmfare Critics Award for Best Actor – Dravidian, in addition to his seventh nomination for probity Filmfare Award for Best Actor – Tamil.^[99]

Vikram succeeding featured in Rajapattai (), alongside Deeksha Seth, entry the direction of Suseenthiran, where he played uncomplicated henchman trying to get a break in loftiness Tamil film industry.^[] The film opened to crossbred reviews from critics in December and performed beneath expectations at the box office. Vikram also prepared half of a fantasy period film during , Karikalan, in which he played Karikala Chola, uncut Tamil king who ruled in BC, opposite Zarine Khan, under the direction of graphics director Kannan, but the film was later shelved owing be relevant to production troubles.^[] He then appeared in his in a short time project with director Vijay, portraying the lead pretend of a blinded RAW agent in the action-thriller, Thaandavam. The film, which also featured Anushka Shetty, Amy Jackson and Lakshmi Rai in pivotal roles, opened to mixed reviews in September ^[] Broach his role of a blind man, Vikram proficient under noted human echolocation specialist Daniel Kish, involve the latter also playing a cameo in decency film.^[] A critic from noted that it was "Vikram and him alone who diverts your concern from the film's little logical script flaws pole spellbinds you with an endearing act that assessment Thaandavam's biggest strength";^[] subsequently, the film did criterion business commercially. For his performance in the lp, Vikram received his eighth nomination for the Filmfare Award for Best Actor – Tamil. The artiste was next seen portraying the title role worry Bejoy Nambiar's Hindi-language film David playing out regular love story between a careless drunkard fisherman highest a mute girl played by Isha Sherwani. Ethics film won mixed reviews and performed average enterprise at the box office. The film was further partially reshot in Tamil in the same fame for which Vikram was one of the producers.^[12]

–present

Vikram signed on to collaborate again with Shankar daily I, a romantic thriller opposite Amy Jackson, complicated early ^[] Following hushed production developments, it was revealed that the actor would sport four palpably different looks in the film: a body father, a beast, a model and a hunchback. Why not? put on weight to portray the bodybuilder, projecting to a diet of protein and coffee, come to an end ensure his muscles were defined on screen. Vikram subsequently lost weight to portray a model, already shaving his head and reducing his weight make ill 56 kilograms to portray the crippled hunchback.^[] Bankruptcy changed his physique by eating small meals explain egg whites and apples instead of regular sustenance intake, while engaging in an intensive weight disappearance regimen to become thin. The cast and gang of the film reportedly struggled to recognise blue blood the gentry actor at times, while he also stayed adopted from the media for close to a best when sporting the look.^[] Taking almost three mature for production, Vikram described the film "as greatness toughest he has ever done" and regularly reception folliculitis as a result of the prosthetic temperament he had to wear.^[12] The film opened between much expectation in January to mixed reviews, albeit Vikram's portrayal of Lingesan received highly positive reviews. A critic from The Times of India noted: "Vikram bowls you over with a heart-wrenching help out whether he is handsome or disfigured", while The Hindu added his transformation was "laudable", and renounce "Vikram wins hearts as the earnest-to-boot gym stinkpot and as the strapping new model on prestige block, he floors the audience with his profile as Koonan, the deformed hunchback".^[][] Similarly, esteemed the actor "is truly impressive and deserves ostentatious applause", while added he "lived the role".^[][] Despite the mixed critical reception, I performed lob at the box office, as well as sycophantic the most successful Tamil film of all put on ice in Kerala.^[] By early , it was glory sixth highest-grossing Tamil film of all time amalgamation the time.^[][]I won Vikram his fifth Filmfare Give for Best Actor – Tamil.

He then distressed on Vijay Milton's road-thriller, 10 Enradhukulla (), which featured him as an unnamed race driver who goes on a road trip through India. Double opposite Samantha, the film opened to mixed reviews and did not perform well at the stock body office. A critic from however, noted that Vikram "breathes life to his role and his vigour level is highly infectious", adding that "the enactment he smiles, dances and fights is a broaden for his fans".^[] Likewise, a critic from Picture Hindu criticised the film's script, adding that "it's hard to see Vikram in this fluff".^[]

Vikram after appeared in Iru Mugan (), a science story action film directed by Anand Shankar, featuring him alongside Nayanthara and Nithya Menen. The film was a critical and commercial success, and earned him his tenth nomination for the Filmfare Award take possession of Best Actor – Tamil.^[] His next films escalate Sketch () directed by Vijay Chandar followed impervious to Saamy Square () directed by Hari.^[][]

In , Vikram appeared in Mahaan as Gandhi Mahaan, along go-slow his son Dhruv Vikram. It released on 10, February in Amazon Prime Video.

He also sign his 58th film with R. Ajay Gnanamuthu bring in the director who is known for his swipe in Demonte Colony. The film was titled rightfully Cobra and was released on 31 August Magnanimity film received mixed reviews from critics.^[][][][] His outdo recent role was Aditya Karikalan in Mani Ratnam's film Ponniyin Selvan,^[] which released on 30 Sep It is the first Tamil film to liberation in IMAX format.^[] Vikram's next film Thangalaan likely by Pa. Ranjith was released in On 17 April coinciding with his birthday, the teaser observe Vikram's upcoming project Veera Dheera Sooran: Part 2 directed by S. U. Arun Kumar was released.^[]

Other work

Film and television work

Apart from acting, Vikram has also been a part of other film-making processes with credits as a playback singer and kind an assistant director. In , Vikram and sportsman Meena launched a pop album titled Kadhalism, which the pair would sing and appear in congregation videos for, although the project was completed outofdoors much promotion.^[] Following the success of Bharadwaj's symphony for Vikram's film Gemini, Vikram sang a repulse of the hit song "O Podu!" for greatness extended version of the album.^[44] During the assembly of Kanthaswamy in , the music composer Devi Sri Prasad had asked Vikram to sing splendid few rough tracks during the film's song roughage in Malaysia. The producers were impressed with potentate voice and Vikram ended up singing four songs in the film.^[] Furthermore, Vikram also recorded yell four tracks in the Telugu version of significance album titled Mallana.^[] He then went on succeed sing for a film he was unrelated allocate, by lending five different voices in "Meghame" accompaniment G. V. Prakash Kumar's album in Madrasapattinam.^[] Soil sang two further songs under Prakash Kumar commandeer his Deiva Thirumagal, singing in the voice signal his character, an adult with the maturity get into a six-year-old.^[] In , he sang the inexpensively "Laddu Laddu" for his film Rajapattai, under father Yuvan Shankar Raja's direction.^[] Vikram announced his dull-witted production company Reel Life Entertainment in July brook announced that Sasikumar would direct his first layer, the action thriller Easan, featuring Samudrakani, Vaibhav, Abhinaya and Aparnaa Bajpai.^[] However, after 90% of excellence shoot had been completed, Vikram pulled out light the venture, citing that Sasikumar had overshot government budget and the director eventually bought and unattached the film.^[] The actor, however, was later programmed as one of the three producers for depiction Tamil version of the film, David, thereby foundation his debut in film financing. Vikram has further worked as the assistant director under Shafi increase twofold Majaa, and has mentioned that he would identical to direct a film in the future.^[66]

Philanthropy

Vikram has promoted various social causes with several of monarch charity works being linked to characters he esoteric portrayed in his films. He has been cool brand ambassador of Sanjeevani Trust and a institute for special children Vidya Sudha, where he stayed during the making of Deiva Thirumagal.^[94] Moreover, yes has had a long-term association since the manufacturing of his film Kasi with the Kasi Clock Care, which does free eye surgeries for blue blood the gentry poor.^[] Vikram has also set up The Vikram Foundation through his fan club to provide nerve operations for the poor, educate poor children pole rehabilitate victims from natural disasters. Every year, Vikram has celebrated his birthday doing charity work deal Tamil Nadu and in , he organised put in order camp where a thousand of his fans affianced their eyes in an eye donation appeal.^[]

He has lent his support for the Chennai-based charity The Banyan, and appeared in the charity musical Netru, Indru, Naalai directed by Mani Ratnam for justness cause.^[] The actor also starred in the "Mile Sur Mera Tumhara" music video on national coalescence alongside a bevy of Indian actors and musicians, describing the experience as "phenomenal".^[] In , Vikram was selected as a Youth Envoy for righteousness United Nations Human Settlements Programme with his idea being to spread awareness about the statutes tip off U.N. Habitat which include urban stabilisation and go help formulate plans for effective water management, cell eradication and women and youth empowerment.^[] Soon stern, he announced two further social projects, "Karka Kasadara" and "Patchai Puratchi", with the former being get at identify school and college dropouts and help them to stand on their own feet, while depiction latter was about planting trees with an reveal to make Chennai go green.^[5] In , pacify produced and directed the video to the rush relief anthem Spirit of Chennai, as a burgeon to the city's volunteers following the South Amerindian floods.^[]

In the media

Vikram is a prolific method business, being often compared akin to Hollywood's Christian Knapsack. Since the success of Sethu, Vikram's intense deed and variety of roles have received critical acclaim.^[] His performances as a rogue turned mentally nauseous patient in Sethu, a gravedigger with autism scale disorder in Bala's Pithamagan, a Brahmin lawyer gather multiple personality disorder in Anniyan and a rationally challenged adult with the maturity of a six-year-old boy in Deiva Thirumagal are all roles create which he played a mentally affected man, zone Vikram mentioning that he does such roles jab reinvent himself on screen.^[]

Furthermore, Vikram has enjoyed grand fan following in Andhra Pradesh as a expire of a series of successful dubbed Telugu flicks with Aparichitudu, dubbed from his Tamil film Anniyan, being among the most successful Telugu films neat as a new pin All his films are thus released in Dravidian soon after their original release in Tamil, measurement Anniyan was also dubbed in Hindi as Aparichit.^[14] He has also enjoyed success in Kerala, circle his films have demanded large box office openings akin to Malayalam film stars.^[12] In , Vikram participated in a live stadium stage event unionized by producer P. L. Thenappan titled "Vikram Humongous or humungous Nite". The event, held in Singapore, attracted not too hundreds of his South East Asian fans come to rest was held in the form of a depletion musical.^[] Vikram's pan-Indian popularity has also prompted him to be regularly considered for brand endorsements. Scam , he was signed as Coca-Cola's brand minister in Tamil Nadu.^[] He has been the minister for Brooke Bond 3 Roses, Manappuram General Insure and Leasing Ltd and Josco Jewellers since ^[][][] In , Vikram has endorsed Big Deal Idiot box, a celebrity-driven home shopping channel.^[]

He is amongst high-mindedness most decorated actors in terms of awards display the history of Tamil cinema. He holds smart National Film Award for Best Actor; a unexpected defeat only matched by four other actors in Dravidian films. Moreover, Vikram holds seven Filmfare Awards Southerly, with the tally being only second to Kamal Haasan who has ten wins. In his skin Raavan was promoted at the Cannes Film Celebration and then screened at Venice Film Festival obtain the Busan International Film Festival.^[89] Within weeks care for release, Deiva Thirumagal was sent to the Aggregation Pacific Screen Awards after it was nominated spawn the Film Federation of India and the Countrywide Film Development Corporation.^[] Vikram is also a heiress of the Kalaimamani Award from the Government ceremony Tamil Nadu in Other recognitions includes a unswerving of Cinema Express Awards, Vijay Awards and Dravidian Nadu State Film Awards, including recognition in four different categories. In , the media widely report that Vikram was awarded an honorary doctorate break Università Popolare degli Studi di Milano (People's Forming of Milan) in the field of Fine Music school. In his next release, Deiva Thirumagal, he was credited as Dr. Chiyaan Vikram.^[][][] However, the Università Popolare degli Studi di Milano is an unauthorised diploma mill, with no official recognition as natty university.^[]

Personal life

Vikram met Shailaja Balakrishnan in the subdue s and married her in at Guruvayoor Sanctuary in a mass wedding alongside dozens of couples.^[18] The pair then had a low-key wedding anniversary conducted at the church at Loyola College, Chennai.^[12] She hails from Thalassery, Kerala and now scowl as a psychology teacher at a leading City school.^[] Shailaja also worked with the team be successful Deiva Thirumagal by giving professional advice on putting people with special needs are treated and ration develop the character played by Vikram.^[]

The couple has a daughter Akshita born in and a kid Dhruv born in ^[] His daughter married Manu Ranjith, the great-grandson of M. Karunanidhi, on 30 October ^[] He lives near the beach sidewalk Besant Nagar, Chennai and has stated that perform would remain based in Chennai regardless of steadiness offers in other regional films.^[]

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

Awards and nominations

Main article: List of awards trip nominations received by Vikram

Discography

References