Vijayakumar (actor)

Vijayakumar is a Tamil film actor and politician. Along with predominant work in Tamil cinema since 1973, he has acted in a few Hindi and Telugu movies. He also works in television serials.

Early life

Vijayakumar was born in Nattuchalai, Pattukkottai taluk, Thanjavoor dist, Tamil Nadu, India. His real name Panchatcharam was changed as Vijayakumar for film. He debuted in the 1961 Tamil movie Sri Valli.^[3] Again in 1964 with the help of his uncle, he came to Chennai and tried for chances but could not make it. Later in 1973 he got an offer to act in films.^[3] His first major role was in Kailasam Balachander's Aval Oru Thodar Kathai in 1974.

Professional career

His journey in filmdom began as a child actor in the film Sri Valli in 1961. Vijaykumar was the little Lord Murugan in 'Sri Valli' starring Sivaji Ganesan and Padmini.^[4] But not many offers were forthcoming for the little actor, he was supposed to play Lord Murugan in Kandhan Karunai but instead Sivakumar played that role.^[5] In 1973 Vijayakumar got his first break in Ponnuku Thanga Manasu directed by Devaraj-Mohan.^[6] The other hero in the film was Sivakumar. The success of 'Ponnuku Thanga Manasu' got him a permanent place in Tamil cinema.^[3] Vijayakumar was a popular actor the seventies along who acted alongside leadering actors such as MGR in Indrum Pol Endrum Vazhgha, Sivaji Ganesan in Dheepam and Kamal Haasan in Neeya. While Vijayakumar was a popular supporting actor, he did play the lead role in during the 1970s, in films such as Aval Oru Thodarkathai, Mathura Geetham and Azhage Unnai Arathikkiren.

Vijayakumar continued to act in supporting roles in the early 1980s. After a brief slump, Vijayakumar's second innings came in 1988 with Mani Ratnam's Agni Natchathiram where he played the role of Phrabu Ganesan and Karthik Muthuraman's father. The movie told the story of two half brothers who fight for their father's love and property. During the 1990s, Vijayakumar was frequently seen in father roles such as Nattamai and Baasha. During the same time, Vijayakumar also played lead roles in award winning films such as Kizhakku Cheemayile and Anthimanthaarai with Bharathiraaja. The latter took him close to winning the National Film Award for Best Actor eventually missing it by one vote.^[3] Vijayakumar continued to play senior roles during the 2000s, eventually the actor was seen in more grandfather roles . In the last few years the actor has reduced his film commitments and focused on television serials. Vijayakumar has acted in over 400 films, primarily in Tamil, but also brief stints in Telugu cinema.

Personal life

Vijayakumar's family consist of wives MuthuKannu and Manjula, daughters Kavitha, Anitha, Vanitha, Preetha, Sridevi and son Arun Vijay. Sridevi is his youngest child. So far, Arun and his father have appeared together on screen thrice—for Pandavar Bhoomi, Malai Malai and Maanja Velu.

He is the vice-president of South Indian Nadigar Sangam. He is also a member of the All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam.

On 23 July 2013, Vijayakumar's wife, Manjula,^[7] passed away at Chennai. She was 59.^[8][9]

Filmography

Television

• Thangam (2009-2013) - Rajaramchandra Raghunath
• Vamsam Sun TV - Annachi

2010's

2000's

1990's

1980's

1970's

1960's

References

External links

• Vijayakumar at the Internet Movie Database