Vijayakumar (actor)
| Vijayakumar | |
|---|---|
| Born |
Panchaksharam Rangasamy Nattuchalai, Pattukottai, Tamil Nadu[1] |
| Occupation | Actor |
| Years active | 1961, 1973 – present |
| Spouse(s) |
|
| Children |
Kavitha Vijayakumar Dr Anitha Vijayakumar Arun Vijay Vanitha Vijayakumar Preetha Vijayakumar Sridevi Vijayakumar |
| Parent(s) |
Rangasamy Chinnammal[2] |
Vijayakumar is a Tamil film actor and politician. Along with predominant work in Tamil cinema since 1973, he has acted in a few Hindi, Malayalam 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 but he only got a small role in the movie Kandhan Karunai as one of the devargal, arrested by the Asura king, Surapadma. 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. Vijayakumar acted as a small role as one of the Lords that was arrested by Surapadman. [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 was the vice-president of South Indian Nadigar Sangam until 18 October 2015. He is also a member of the All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam.
On 23 July 2013, Vijayakumar's wife, Manjula,[7] died at Chennai. She was 59.[8][9]
Filmography
Television
| Year | Serial | Role | Channel | Language |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2009-2013 | Thangam | Rajaramchandra Raghunath alias Ayyaa | Sun TV | Tamil |
| 2013–2014 | Vamsam | Vetrivel Annachi | Sun TV | Tamil |
References
- ↑ http://www.maalaimalar.com/2013/06/12230900/actor-vijayakumar-family.html
- ↑ http://cinema.maalaimalar.com/2013/05/21230519/vijaya-kumar-act-above-400-fil.html
- 1 2 3 4 "For Vijayakumar, work is always worship". The Hindu (Chennai, India). 8 December 2005.
- ↑ http://cinema.maalaimalar.com/2013/05/22223350/should-act-film-vijayakumar.html
- ↑ http://cinema.maalaimalar.com/2013/05/24224431/actor-vijayakumar-and-sivakuma.html
- ↑ http://cinema.maalaimalar.com/2013/05/27232418/vijaya-kumar-act-as-hero-role.html
- ↑ http://cinema.maalaimalar.com/2013/05/31233251/vijayakumar-manjula-wedding.html
- ↑ "Party time for Vijayakumar". IndiaGlitz. 21006-02-06. Retrieved 24 June 2009. Check date values in:
|date=(help) - ↑ Dorairaj, S (8 February 2006). "Actor Vijayakumar returns to AIADMK". Online edition (Chennai, India: The Hindu). Retrieved 24 June 2009.