Vijay Kumar is an Indian actor, writer, director, lyricist and producer. His directorial debut, Uriyadi, a political thriller set in the 1990s, was released in 2016[1][2][3] and was lauded as one of the best political thrillers in Tamil cinema.[4][5] His second project Uriyadi 2 released in April 2019.
Vijay was born in Chennai where he spent his schooling years.[6] He then studied Metallurgical Engineering at the Government College of Engineering, Salem.[citation needed] A software engineer by profession, he quit his career in reputed companies like IBM and Infosys to pursue his passion in cinema.[7]
Vijay was a Project Lead in IBM when he quit his job to pursue his passion in filmmaking.[8] He made a short film and applied to the first season of the Nalaya Iyakunar show in 2009.[7][6] He was selected and subsequently screened two short films on the show. However, he left for personal reasons.[6]
He moved to the United States in 2010 and began writing the script for Uriyadi in early 2011. It was initially titled Vidiyum Varai VinmeengalaaVom (V4). He spent over a year on the script, sketching more than 2500 shots for its storyboard.[9]
Back in India, Vijay Kumar started his production house Souvenir Productions in April 2013.[citation needed] He conducted a three-month acting workshop for the actors as almost all of them were debutants.[9]
Uriyadi was released in theaters on 27 May 2016.[citation needed] Upon its release, The Hindu had a chat with Vijay and cited that Uriyadi is "A throwback to the 90s".[10] Uriyadi 2, produced by Suriya's 2D Entertainment, directed by and starring Vijay Kumar released on 5 April 2019.
Vijay Kumar's next film was Fight Club, a youth action-drama that went on floors on 16 July 2021. It stars Vijay Kumar and Monisha Menon in the lead and is produced by Reel Good Films.[11] The principal photography was completed on 3 July 2022.[12] Presented by Lokesh Kanagaraj's production company, G Squad,[13] the film released on 15 December 2023 to favorable reviews.[14]
Vijay Kumar will also play the lead in Reel Good Films second production, Election.[15] The film, directed by Thamizh, co-stars Preethi Asrani. It also features Pavel Navageethan, George Maryan and Dileepan, with music by Govind Vasantha. The principal photography wrapped up on 4 September 2022 and the film will release on 17 May 2024. Vijay Kumar has also written the dialogues of the film.[16]
| Year | Film | Credited as | Role | Notes | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Writer | Director | Actor | Producer | Background Music | ||||
| 2016 | Uriyadi |  |
|
|
|
|
Lenin Vijay | [17] |
| 2019 | Uriyadi 2 | |
|
|
 |
|
Lenin Vijay | [18] |
| 2020 | Soorarai Pottru | Dialogues | |
|
|
|
— | [19] |
| 2023 | Fight Club | Dialogues | |
|
Creative Producer | |
Selvaa | [20] |
| 2024 | Election | Dialogues | |
|
Creative Producer | |
Nadarajan | [15] |
| Year | Film | Award | Category | Notes | Ref |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2016 | Uriyadi | Ananda Vikatan Cinema Awards | Best Debut Actor | Won | [21] |
| 2017 | SIIMA | Best Debut Actor | Nominated | [22] | |
| Tentkotta Awards | Most Watched film of a Debutant Filmmaker | Won | [23][better source needed] | ||
| Norway Tamil Film Festival Awards | Best Production | Won | [24] | ||
| Tamil Nadu Murpoku Ezhuthalar Kalaingargal Sangam Film Awards | Special Award for Production | Won | [25][26] | ||
| Special Award for Writing and Direction | Won | ||||
| Radio Mirchi Madurai Awards | Best Director | Won | [27][better source needed] | ||
| SIIMA | Best Debut Director | Nominated | [22] | ||
| Filmibeat Tamil Cinema Award | Best Debut Director | Won | [28][better source needed] | ||
| Behindwoods Gold Medals | Direction | Wall of Fame | [29] |
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