Arun Vijay
Arun Vijay is an Indian actor, best known for Tamil cinema. Arun Vijay began their career in 1995 and has been a prominent figure in the industry for over 31 years. With over 60 credits to their name and an average audience rating of 6.0, Arun Vijay remains one of the most prolific and celebrated talents in the industry. Spanning 30+ years, Arun Vijay's career remains one of the longest and most celebrated in Tamil cinema.
- Born
- Age
- 48
Biography
Arun Vijay (born Arun Kumar) is an Indian actor working primarily in Tamil cinema, known for his physically intense performances in both lead and antagonist roles. He gained major recognition for playing the menacing villain 'Victor' in Gautham Menon's Yennai Arindhaal (2015) opposite Ajith Kumar, winning the SIIMA Award for Best Actor in a Negative Role for that performance. Son of veteran Tamil actor Vijayakumar, he transitioned from early films like Thulli Thirindha Kaalam (1998) and Iyarkai (2003) to action-driven lead roles in Maanja Velu (2010) and Thadaiyara Thaakka (2012), establishing himself as a credible action star. He has continued to headline prominent Tamil productions including Kuttram 23 (2017), Thadam (2019), and Yaanai (2022).
Career Milestones
Film debut
View film →Highest rated: Thulli Thirindha Kaalam (7.5)
View film →Iconic Roles
Thadam
Played dual roles as identical twins with contrasting personalities, one a murderer and the other an innocent engineer, in a critically acclaimed thriller.
Iyarkai
Portrayed a compassionate ship captain in this nature-centric film that won the National Film Award for Best Feature Film on Environment Conservation.
Thulli Thirindha Kaalam
Played the lead role in this romantic drama, which was an early commercial success in his career.
Defining Moments
National Award-Winning Film
Starred in 'Iyarkai', which won the National Film Award for Best Feature Film on Environment Conservation/Preservation.
Award for Antagonist Role
Won the Tamil Nadu State Film Award for Best Villain for his portrayal of the antagonist in Gautham Vasudev Menon's 'Yennai Arindhaal'.
Critical and Commercial Success of 'Thadam'
His performance in the dual lead role in 'Thadam' was a major breakthrough, earning widespread acclaim and establishing him as a bankable leading actor.
Arun Vijay by the Numbers
If you watched every Arun Vijay film back-to-back, you'd be at it for roughly 3 days and 7h. Most-paired with Charlie — 4 films together.
Filmography
See all 60 credits →
Collaboration Network
The Constellation
Top 10 most-paired collaborators. Bubble size and line thickness reflect how many films they share with Arun Vijay.
Career Analytics
Genre Breakdown
Language Distribution
Films by Decade
Top Co-Actors
See all →Arun Vijay has worked most frequently with G. N. R. Kumaravelan (2 films), A. Venkatesh (2 films), Magizh Thirumeni (2 films), Charlie (4 films), and Samuthirakani (3 films).
Did You Know?
Arun Vijay is the only son of veteran Tamil actor Vijayakumar.
He made his acting debut as a child artist in the 1984 film 'Nallavanukku Nallavan'.
He is a licensed skydiver, certified by the United States Parachute Association.
He often works as a stunt coordinator in his own films.
He is known for performing many of his own stunts without a body double.
Photos
See all →
Family
Father
Vijayakumar
Mother
Manjula Vijayakumar
Sibling
Sridevi Vijayakumar
Sibling
Preetha Vijayakumar
Sibling
Vanitha Vijayakumar
News & Stories
Arun Vijay Starts Filming 'Retta Thala'
30/4/2024
Arun Vijay Teams Up with Thirukumaran for His 36th Movie
5/4/2024
Mission Chapter 1 Released a New Poster for Arun Vijay's Birthday
20/11/2023
Arun Vijay Handsome Photos.
29/1/2020
Arun Vijay Family Photos
28/5/2018
Legacy & Influence
Arun Vijay, son of veteran actor Vijayakumar, has carved a distinct niche in Tamil cinema through a career defined by resilience and physical dedication. His early career in the late 1990s and early 2000s saw him in varied roles, but it was his conscious pivot towards action-oriented and intense characters that reshaped his trajectory. He is notable for performing his own stunts and often serving as a stunt coordinator in his films, bringing a raw, credible physicality to his roles that elevated the action genre in Tamil cinema. This commitment to authenticity in action sequences has influenced a generation of actors to prioritize physical training and realistic stunt work. His career resurgence with films like 'Yennai Arindhaal' (2015), where he played a formidable antagonist, and the critically acclaimed dual role in 'Thadam' (2019) demonstrated his versatility and ability to anchor thrillers. 'Thadam', in particular, was a commercial and critical success that proved the viability of well-crafted, performance-driven thrillers in the mainstream. While not always in the leading superstar bracket, Arun Vijay's filmography showcases a steady dedication to genre cinema, especially action and thriller, contributing to their technical and narrative sophistication in the industry. His journey from a young actor to a respected action star underscores a model of career reinvention based on skill specialization.