Vikram

 

•Full name-  Vikram Kennedy Vinod Raj 

•Screen name- Vikram

•Born-  17th April, 1976

•Nicknames-  Chiyaan Vikram 

•Spouse- Shailija Balakrishnan 

•Professional career- Actor, playback singer  

•First Film – En Kadhal Kanmani (1990) 

•Year’s active – (1990-present) 

•Children- Akshita and Dhruv 

•Parents- Vinod Raj and Rajeshwari 

•Present residence- Besant Nagar Chennai.

 

Probably one of the most intensive actors in the tamil film industry, Vikram is known for his versatility in characterization. Most of the lead roles that the actor has essayed on screen have all been different and farfetched from the average protagonist and stand out in terms of presentation. The main reason that he has been able to carve a niche for himself  in the box office is his insatiable desire that leads him to reinvent himself time and time again on celluloid.

 

Vikram Early life- He was born on the 17th of April 1976 to Vinod Raj and Rajeshwari and was christened Kennedy. His father was a native of Parmakudi and left home to act in Tamil films.  His father did not do well in the box office and played supporting roles in various films and television serials. This however was the first inspiration for Vikram who took up Theatre lessons and also classical dance in order to prepare himself for a career in acting. Rajeshwari her mother was sub collector and her brother Thygarajan is an established director actor his son Prashant is also an established actor. Vikram was educated at the Montfort School a boarding school in Salem. He also used his opportunities at school to fully participate in extracurricular activities. Despite expressing his demand top act in films his father was insistent that he complete his education. He graduated in English from the Loyola College in Chennai. During his college days he suffered a major motorbike accident that led him to be bedridden and he went through 23 surgeries in order to avoid the prospect of amputating his leg.

 

Vikram Film Career- Vikram made his debut in the film En Kadhal Kanmani (1990). This film was largely unnoticed and did not do well at the box office. They he went on star in a dozen of films that did not do well at the box office. He then moved on to star in couple of Malayalam films in various supporting roles. The films did well by the actor was not able to render his image at the box office.  During this time he also starred in Amitabh Bachchan’s production Ullasam with Ajith Kumar. Success eluded him and he almost had to wait for nine years to register a singular hit to his credit. In 1999 he acted in Sethu which was a path breaking film as far as his career was concerned. His portrayal of goon who slips into mental stability were well appreciated by audiences and at the same time earned him acclaim. The film was remade into Hindi as Tere Naam starring Salman Khan. However a series of unsuccessful films followed. In2003 he worked again with Dharani in the film Dhool and the film was a blockbuster.  He then acted in a family drama Kadhal Sadugudu which did not do well followed by Saamy directed by Hari where he played a cop turned another blockbuster for him. This film was produced by K. Balachander. Later that year he starred in Pithamagan directed by Bala which won him both Film fare Best Tamil Actor Award and National Film Award for Best Actor. This film did well at the box office. In 2004 he acted in Arul directed by Hari who gave saami. This movie did not do well at box office. In 2005 he acted in S Shankar in one of the most expensive films of the time Anniyan. This movie was a block buster at the box office and Vikram was praised for his clinical performance of a man suffering from dissociative disorder (multiple personalities). He then followed it with Majaa that did not do well at the box office. His film Bheema due to lack of funds was postponed and released again only in January 2008. The film did commercially well at the box office. His next Film Kandhaswamy in 2009 also did considerably well at the box office. In 2010 Vikram also starred in Mani Ratnam’s Raavan (Hindi) and Raavanan in Tamil. 

 

Vikram upcoming films- Vikram has completed filming for director Vijay's next action-thriller, Thaandavam, which also features Anushka Shetty and Amy Jackson. He will be seen as a blind person and a spy in this film, with the release expected in September 2012. Moreover Vikram will be seen in Bejoy Nambiar's bilingual David which sees him play one of three lead roles as a part of an ensemble cast. Vikram has also completed half of his schedules for the fantasy period film, Karikalan in which he plays Karikala Chola, a Tamil king who ruled in 270 BC, opposite Zarine Khan under the direction of graphics director Kannan, but the film has currently been delayed. He has also agreed terms to feature in Shankar‘s, a romantic thriller opposite Amy Jackson for second time

 

Vikram’s philanthropy- The actor is known for involvement in various social causes. He is the brand ambassador for Sanjeevani Trust that is special school. Moreover he also has a long time association with Kasi Eyecare which does free surgery for poor. The Vikram Foundation through his fan club also provides heart operations for the poor, educate children and rehabilitate children and specially victims of natural disasters. He celebrates his birthday every year doing some charity. He has also lent support to the Chennai based Banyan an appeared in the charity musical Netru, Indru, Naalai and was directed by Mani Ratnam. Vikram was also selected as the Youth Envoy for the United Nations Settlement programmes which aims to spread awareness for effective water management, slum eradication and women and youth empowerment. Soon after he announced two further social projects, "Karka Kasadara" and "Patchai Puratchi", with the former being to identify school and college drop outs and help them to stand on their own feet, while the latter was about planting trees with an aim to make Chennai go green.

 

Vikram Personal life- Vikram met his wife Shailija during the time he was hospital ridden. The two married in Gurvayoor at a common marriage ceremony that is held for couples. She now works as psychology teacher at leading school in Chennai. The actor has two children Akshita and Dhruv. He suggests that his son has a keen interest for acting. He lives in a house near the beach in Besant nagar despite the fact that he has many regional film offers. 

 

Vikram Awards- 

Asianet News

2005- Special Jury Award for Anniyan 

 

Amrita film Awards 

2010- Best Actor (tamil) for Raavnan

 

Cinema Express Award 

2001- Best Actor for Kasi 

 

Filmfare Award

1999- Special Award for Sethu

2001- Best actor for Kasi

2003- Best Actor for Pithamagan

2005- Best Actor for Anniyan 

2010- Best Actor  for Raavnan

2011- Critics Award best actor for Deiva Thirumagal

 

Honorary Doctorate

2011 University of Milan 

 

International Tamil Film Awards

2002- Best Actor for Gemini

 

Jaya Awards

2011- Jury Awards- Best actor for Deva Thirumagal

 

National film Awards

2003- Best Actor for Pithamagan

 

TamilNadu State Awards

2006 Shivaji Ganeshan Award

1996- Special Jury Award for Sethu 

2003- Best Actor for Pithamagan

 

Star Screen Awards

2010- Best Supporting actor for Raavan 

 

Vijay Awards

2006- Icon of the year

2008- Best Actor award for Bheema

2009- Favorite hero for Kanthaswamy 

2010- Best Actor  for Raavnan

2011- Best actor for Deiva Thirumagal

 

Vikatan Awards

2011- best actor for Deivathirumagal