Thalapathy's Big Five: Revisiting the Tamil films that made Vijay the icon he is

Vijay’s recent triumph at the Tamil Nadu Legislative Assembly election has added even more weight to the title “Thalapathy” that fans have associated with him for years. Meaning “leader” in Tamil, the title has come to symbolise Vijay’s larger-than-life popularity among audiences, both on and off screen. Over the decades, the actor evolved from a romantic hero into one of Tamil cinema’s biggest mass stars, building a fan following that cuts across generations and regions.

What made Vijay’s rise stand out was not just the consistent string of box-office hits, but also the way many of his films connected with people’s emotions, aspirations, and everyday concerns. From old-school romantic dramas and sports entertainers to socially charged action films, Vijay balanced commercial appeal with themes that resonated with audiences.

During the early phase of his career, fans fondly referred to him as “Ilaya Thalapathy,” meaning “young leader” — a title that gradually evolved into simply “Thalapathy” as his stardom grew. While the country today recognises him as one of Indian cinema’s biggest superstars, these five milestone films played a key role in shaping his journey.

Kadhalukku Mariyadhai (1997)

Kadhalukku Mariyadhai translates to “Respect for Love.” Directed by Fazil, father of Fahadh Faasil, the 1997 musical romantic drama starred Vijay and Shalini in the lead. A classic old-school love story at its core, the film explored how two youngsters from contrasting backgrounds and beliefs fight family opposition to stay together.

Backed by a soulful soundtrack from Ilaiyaraaja, the film released on December 19, 1997, and emerged as a box-office blockbuster. Over the years, it has remained one of Vijay’s most-loved romantic dramas and is often credited as one of the films that cemented his popularity among family audiences.

Ghilli (2004)

Named after its titular character, Ghilli was a sports action entertainer directed by Dharani. The film featured Vijay alongside Trisha Krishnan and Prakash Raj.

The story followed a Kabaddi player who travels to Madurai for an exhibition match, only to end up rescuing a woman from a dangerous gang leader who intends to forcefully marry her. Powered by energetic music from Vidyasagar, the film released on April 16, 2004, and became the highest-grossing Tamil film of the year.

Two decades later, Ghilli proved its lasting popularity when its remastered 4K version re-released in 2024 and grossed around Rs 30 crore. It briefly became India’s highest-grossing re-release, overtaking Titanic, before the record was later surpassed by Tumbbad in September 2024.

Thuppakki (2012)

Directed by A. R. Murugadoss, Thuppakki was a slick action thriller starring Vijay alongside Kajal Aggarwal and Vidyut Jammwal.

The film revolved around an Indian Army intelligence officer who uncovers and dismantles a sleeper cell network while hunting down the mastermind behind a series of terrorist attacks. Released on November 13, 2012, the film went on to become a major commercial success, grossing over Rs 100 crore worldwide.

For many Hindi audiences, the plot may sound familiar. Thuppakki later inspired the Hindi remake Holiday, starring Akshay Kumar. Even years after release, the film is regarded as one of Vijay’s most stylish commercial entertainers, blending action, patriotism, humour, and suspense.

Kaththi (2014)

Another successful collaboration between Vijay and A. R. Murugadoss, Kaththi was a 2014 action drama that combined commercial cinema with a strong social message. The film starred Vijay in dual roles alongside Samantha Ruth Prabhu and Neil Nitin Mukesh, who made his Tamil debut with the film.

The story followed a petty thief who assumes the identity of his lookalike Jeeva, a hydrology expert, and eventually leads a rebellion by farmers against a corporate giant exploiting their village’s water resources. While the premise sounded commercial on paper, the film tackled serious issues surrounding agriculture, water scarcity, and corporate exploitation.

Released worldwide on October 22, 2014, Kaththi was surrounded by controversies before release. However, the film emerged as a massive box-office success, grossing over Rs 100 crore and becoming the second highest-grossing Tamil film of 2014. Over time, it has come to be viewed as one of Vijay’s most socially relevant mainstream entertainers.

Bigil (2019)

Directed by Atlee, Bigil marked Vijay’s third collaboration with the filmmaker after the successful Theri and Mersal. The 2019 sports action drama featured Vijay in dual roles as father and son alongside Nayanthara and Jackie Shroff.

The film followed Michael “Bigil” Rayappan, a former footballer who gives up his sporting dreams and turns into a gangster after his father’s death to maintain peace between rival gangs. However, circumstances later push him into coaching a women’s football team after his close friend suffers an injury.

Blending sports, action, emotion, and mass entertainment, Bigil struck a chord with audiences upon its release on October 25, 2019. The film went on to become the highest-grossing Tamil film of the year and further strengthened Vijay’s image as one of Indian cinema’s biggest crowd-pullers.

In Conclusion

Vijay’s filmography reflects the gradual evolution of a star who consistently adapted to changing audience tastes. Each of these films arrived at a crucial stage in his career, helping him expand his reach beyond just box-office success and build a deeper emotional connection with audiences.

Today, the title “Thalapathy” represents far more than just fandom. For many fans, it symbolises Vijay’s journey from a young romantic hero to one of Tamil cinema’s most influential stars, and now, a political leader who made a victorious electoral debut and is in the process of taking charge as the leader of his state.