Viji
Viji is an Indian actor, best known for Tamil cinema. Viji began their career in 1982 and has been a prominent figure in the industry for over 44 years. With 30 credits to their name, Viji remains one of the most prolific and celebrated talents in the industry. Spanning 40+ years, Viji's career remains one of the longest and most celebrated in Tamil cinema.
- Born
- Age
- 60
Biography
Viji was an Indian actress who worked in Tamil cinema during the 1980s and 1990s, appearing in over 40 films across her career. She is known for her roles in films such as Poikkal Kudhirai (1983), directed by K. Balachander and co-starring Ramakrishna, Vetri (1984) alongside Vijayakanth where she played the character Shanti, and Eetti (1985). She suffered a serious health setback in 1996 during the filming of Poove Unakkaga when spinal cord surgery led to complications including temporary paralysis, but recovered and returned to acting in 2000 with Simmasanam. Viji passed away on 27 November 2000 in Chennai.
Career Milestones
Film debut in Tamil cinema at age 16
Notable role in K. Balachander romantic comedy alongside Kamal Haasan (guest role)
View film →Female lead in action film that marked child debut of Vijay (Thalapathy)
View film →Lead tragic love story role as tribal woman
View film →Iconic Roles
Poikkal Kudhirai
Romantic lead in K. Balachander's comedy; Janaki is Sambandam's daughter whose heart becomes the object of a wager, making her central to the film's plot.
Eetti
Tragic tribal woman whose assault and death drives the entire revenge narrative; the emotionally pivotal role of the film, set against Ilaiyaraaja's music.
Vetri
Supporting romantic role in S. A. Chandrasekhar's college drama, notable as one of Viji's early pairings with Vijayakanth.
Viji by the Numbers
If you watched every Viji film back-to-back, you'd be at it for roughly 2 days and 19h. Most-paired with Sankar Ganesh — 10 films together.
Filmography
See all 30 credits →



Collaboration Network
The Constellation
Top 10 most-paired collaborators. Bubble size and line thickness reflect how many films they share with Viji.
Career Analytics
Language Distribution
Films by Decade
Top Co-Actors
See all →Viji has worked most frequently with Rama Narayanan (3 films), S. A. Chandrasekhar (2 films), C. V. Rajendran (2 films), Vijayakanth (8 films), and M. N. Nambiar (4 films).








Did You Know?
Viji made her acting debut in the 1982 Tamil film 'Kozhi Koovuthu' directed by Bharathiraja.
She was known for playing village girl roles in many of her films during the 1980s.
Viji frequently collaborated with director Bharathiraja, appearing in several of his films.
She acted opposite leading actors like Sivakumar, Karthik, and Prabhu in her career.
Her film 'Poikkal Kudhirai' (1983) was directed by Bharathiraja and co-starred Karthik.
Legacy & Influence
Viji was a prominent actress in Tamil cinema during the 1980s, a period marked by significant thematic and stylistic shifts in the industry. Making her debut in the 1982 film 'Kozhi Koovuthu', she quickly established herself as a versatile performer, often portraying strong, relatable characters that resonated with the contemporary audience. Her career, spanning over 40 films, was characterized by a consistent presence in both dramatic and commercial projects. Viji's performances in films like 'Poikkal Kudhirai' (1983) and 'Vetri' (1984) showcased her ability to hold her own alongside leading actors of the era, contributing to the narrative depth of these works. While not necessarily a headline-grabbing superstar, her filmography represents a solid body of work that supported the ecosystem of Tamil cinema during its vibrant phase in the early to mid-80s. Her roles often reflected the changing portrayals of women in Tamil films, moving beyond purely decorative parts to characters with agency and emotional complexity. By appearing in a steady stream of productions, she contributed to the period's prolific output and helped sustain the industry's momentum. Her untimely passing cut short a career that had become a familiar and reliable fixture. Today, Viji is remembered by cinema historians and fans of the era as a competent and dedicated actress whose work forms a part of the rich tapestry of 1980s Tamil cinema, representing a generation of supporting artists who were essential to the storytelling of their time.