Vikram (Chiyaan Vikram)

Vikram is an Indian film actor who starred in a number of top-grossing Tamil films and is currently one of the reigning lead actors of Tamil cinema. Vikram was born on April 17, 1966, in Paramakudi, a town in Ramanathapuram district. His name at birth was John Kennedy Vinod Raj. When he was in school, his one and only aim was to become an actor.

Vikram's father is also a supporting actor, acting in many films. He is known for his role in Ghilli as the father of the film's lead actress, played by Trisha Krishnan.

Career

Vikram debuted in the film Meera in 1990. Following its release, the film did not run well at the box office. Vikram still accepted subsequent offers he received and saw his first hit film, Sethu in 1999.

Sethu, which was released in 1999, was Vikram's first blockbuster though he made his debut almost a decade earlier. The film grossed over Rs.50 million at the box office. Vikram's second blockbuster Dhill came in 2001. The film grossed over Rs. 100 million at the box office. Vikram's next blockbuster Gemini came the very next year in 2002. It grossed over Rs. 200 million at the box office.

His successful performance prompted Shankar to cast him for his high-budgeted Anniyan. Anniyan was also another top-grossing film released in 2005, for which he received a Filmfare Best Tamil Actor Award. The film won 8 out of the 15 awards possible at the 2005 Filmfare Awards South.
Vikram completed Shafi's comedy film Asin, Majaa in less than five months. Vikram signed up for Bheema in October 2005, with the film facing severe delays and only releasing in January 2008. His next release, Kanthaswamy, became the first superhero film in Tamil cinema.

The film took a strong opening, with a collection of Rs. 370 million. Vikram featured in Mani Ratnam's bilingual films Raavanan and Raavan, inspired by the ancient Sanskrit epic Ramayana. He played the roles of a tribal leader and a cop in the Tamil and Hindi versions, which were shot almost simultaneously.