On June 22, 2025, Thalapathy Vijay will be celebrating his 51st birthday. This seasoned actor, renowned for his performances spanning three decades, is anticipated to conclude his cinematic journey with a final project soon.
In the upcoming months, the actor will take on the role of a police officer in Jana Nayagan, directed by H Vinoth, which is set to premiere in cinemas on January 9, 2026. If you’re a fan of this popular star or simply wish to discover some exceptional films featuring him, here’s a collection of movies that are worth watching.
Top 9 Thalapathy Vijay films that everyone should watch
1. Thuppakki (2012)
- Cast: Thalapathy Vijay, Kajal Aggarwal, Sathyan, Vidyut Jammwal, Jayaram, Manobala
- Director: AR Murugadoss
- IMDb Rating: 8.1/10
- Where to watch: JioHotstar
Among the many popular movies starring Thalapathy Vijay, one that stands out is the 2012 action-thriller titled “Thuppakki.” This was the initial team-up between AR Murugadoss and the renowned actor, marking a new collaboration for the filmmaker.
The movie centers around a military intelligence officer who travels to Mumbai for some well-deserved family time during his vacation. But when fortune takes an unexpected turn, he uncovers a hidden organization that poses a grave threat to the nation’s unity. The story then unfolds as this soldier embarks on a mission to dismantle this team completely.
In Hindi cinema, a hugely popular movie was re-created as “Holiday: A Soldier Is Never Off Duty,” starring Akshay Kumar and Sonakshi Sinha.
2. Thulladha Manamum Thullum (1999)
- Cast: Thalapathy Vijay, Simran, Manivannan, Dhamu, Vaiyapuri
- Director: Ezhil
- IMDb Rating: 8.3/10
- Where to watch: YouTube, SunNXT
In simpler terms, “Thulladha Manamum Thullum” is one of Vijay’s movies with a strong cult fanbase, known for its musical and romantic drama elements. This 1999 Tamil film tells the story of Kutty, a kind-hearted young man.
Through an intriguing chain of events, a man finds himself smitten by Rukmini, yet whenever he’s near her, his rougher qualities seem to surface, inadvertently causing her to develop a dislike for him. The tale unfolds as she eventually discovers his genuine character, which forms the crux of the story.
3. Ghilli (2004)
- Cast: Thalapathy Vijay, Trisha Krishnan, Prakash Raj, Ashish Vidyarthi, Dhamu, Mayilsamy, Janaki Sabesh, Nancy Jennifer, Nagendra Prasad
- Director: Dharani
- IMDb Rating: 8.2/10
- Where to watch: JioHotstar
Discussing timeless cinematic masterpieces, it’s hard to ignore Thalapathy Vijay’s memorable movie, Ghilli. This production served as a remake of the Mahesh Babu-led Okkadu, and in this sports action film, we saw a fresh aspect of the Tamil superstar’s acting prowess, contributing significantly to an iconic work in his filmography.
In this film, we follow the story of Saravanavel, also known as Ghilli, a skilled kabaddi player, whose life intertwines with that of Dhanalakshmi, a young woman unwillingly married off by a dominant gangster.
The way the former saves Dhanalakshmi and gets her to safety forms the rest of the film.
4. Master (2021)
- Cast: Thalapathy Vijay, Vijay Sethupathi, Malavika Mohanan, Andrea Jeremiah, Arjun Das, Shanthanu Bhagyaraj
- Director: Lokesh Kanagaraj
- IMDb Rating: 7.4/10
- Where to watch: Amazon Prime Video
In his career, the latest film starring Thalapathy Vijay as the lead has quickly become a beloved favorite amongst fans upon its release. Directed by Lokesh Kanagaraj, this action-packed thriller follows the tale of a college professor named JD.
The film centers around a protagonist, who finds himself working in a juvenile home, where a criminal figure named Bhavani conducts his illicit operations. Using the Hero’s Journey structure, the movie presents the superstar as a character with both a sophisticated and casual demeanor, struggling with alcoholism as well.
5. Kaththi (2014)
- Cast: Thalapathy Vijay, Samantha Ruth Prabhu, Neil Nithin Mukesh, Tota Roy Chowdhury, Sathish, Sudip Mukherjee
- Director: AR Murugadoss
- IMDb Rating: 8.1/10
- Where to watch: Simply South
Once again, I had the privilege of collaborating with the esteemed director AR Murugadoss in the creation of the gripping action-thriller, Kaththi. This film revolves around the intriguing tale of Kathiresan, a man who managed to break free from prison and was planning his escape to Bangkok.
Before making it out, the man stumbles upon his twin, Jeevanantham, and decides to take his place instead. Later on, Kathiresan learns about his double’s struggle over a water problem in a village, which sets off a social conflict against a powerful business tycoon.
6. Mersal (2017)
- Cast: Thalapathy Vijay, SJ Suryah, Kajal Aggarwal, Samantha Ruth Prabhu, Nithya Menen. Sathyaraj, Vadivelu, Hareesh Peradi
- Director: Atlee
- IMDb Rating: 7.5/10
- Where to watch: Netflix
In Mersal, it’s Vijay who takes on three distinct roles, portraying both the father and his two sons. This high-energy action flick revolves around the tale of a vengeful sorcerer, set on avenging the death of his own father.
In a heartwarming reunion, a man discovering his estranged brother from their shared childhood finds out that the magician was arresting individuals involved in unethical medical practices.
7. Pokkiri (2007)
- Cast: Thalapathy Vijay, Asin, Prakash Raj, Napolean, Nassar, Mukesh Tiwari, Vadivelu, Sriman, Anandaraj
- Director: Prabhu Deva
- IMDb Rating: 7.6/10
- Where to watch: SunNXT
In the course of Thalapathy Vijay’s professional journey, Pokkiri represents another adaptation; it was originally a movie starring Mahesh Babu titled Pokiri. This action-packed film, directed by Prabhu Deva, tells the story of a young, rough character who infiltrates an international gangster’s crew. Over time, he unveils his genuine motives.
8. Leo (2023)
- Cast: Thalapathy Vijay, Trisha Krishnan, Sanjay Dutt, Arjun Sarja, Gautham Vasudev Menon, Mysskin, Madonna Sebastian
- Director: Lokesh Kanagaraj
- IMDb Rating: 7.2/10
- Where to watch: Netflix
In recent years, a highly successful film directed by Lokesh Kanagaraj, titled Leo, has emerged, starring Thalapathy Vijay. This movie is reminiscent of the 1997 DC graphic novel “A History of Violence.” The plot revolves around Parthiban, a man who runs a café in Himachal Pradesh, who finds himself mistaken for a former gangster due to his past actions.
In turmoil over his own identity, the man finds himself hunted down by rough characters, hoping to coax from him the truth about his real persona. The story then unfolds, revealing details about the past life of the supposed ex-gangster Leo and questioning whether Parthiban is indeed him.
9. Theri (2016)
- Cast: Thalapathy Vijay, Samantha Ruth Prabhu, Amy Jackson, Nainika
- Director: Atlee
- IMDb Rating: 7.3/10
- Where to watch: Amazon Prime Video
Thalapathy Vijay initially teamed up with director Atlee for the action-packed film Theri, which had elements inspired by the 1990 Tamil movie Chatriyan and the 2013 Hollywood film Homefront. The plot revolves around Joseph Kuruvila, a solitary father from Kerala who runs a bakery.
Living a simple life with his sole child, it’s uncovered that this man is none other than the once renowned DCP Vijay Kumar from Chennai city, who was believed to be deceased. As his old adversaries discover he’s still alive and pose threats to his daughter, the man takes on a ghost-like persona, eliminating each one of them.
Although these movies only scratch the surface of the superstar’s extensive career, it would undoubtedly be a regret if they were missed in theaters, as Jana Nayagan is rumored to be his last film appearance.
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2025-06-22 12:37