Vikram – Unmatched dedication to his craft

Kennedy John Victor is the real name of actor Vikram who turns 59 today. He was born to a Christian father, John Victor, and Hindu mother, Rajeshwari. Rajeshwari is the sister of yesteryear actor and director, Thyagarajan, the father of actor Prashanth. Vikram’s father was an actor who only succeeded in getting minor roles in films.

Despite these connections in the film industry, it was a huge struggle for Vikram to make a breakthrough. While taking acting lessons, he decided to change his name to Vikram.

A serious accident that almost resulted in his leg being amputated delayed his studies and he completed his MBA degree three years late. He began his media career by acting in TV commercials and acted in a 6-episode TV series titled Galatta Kudumbam.

After many doors were slammed shut in his face, he made his debut as a lead actor in the 1990 film En Kaadhal Kanmani, although his first signing was for C.V. Sridhar’s Thandhuvitten Ennai.

Unable to secure acceptable roles, he moved to the Malayalam and Telugu film industry before attempting a comeback with Pudhiya Mannargal – which was a box-office failure. After more disappointments, he eventually landed a role alongside Ajithkumar sharing the lead in Amitabh Bachchan Corporation Limited’s first Tamil production, Ullaasam. The film did not fare well but made Vikram a star.

After smaller but important roles in Kanngallin Vaarthaigal and R. Parthiban’s House Full, there followed another lean period for Vikram. During this time, he became a dubbing artist and his work included lending his voice to Prabhu Deva in Kaadhalan, Ajithkumar in Amaravathi and Abbas in Kanndu Konndain Kanndu Konndain.

Unable to secure major roles, he took dance lessons and tried different techniques of acting, turning down lucrative offers to play supporting roles.

Eventually, in 1999, he was signed on by Bala for the lead role in the film Sethu. More challenges followed, as the film was unable to release because of numerous internal challenges. During this time, a dejected Vikram took to directing a serial titled Mounam Pesiyathey. Sethu eventually released in December 1999 and had an extremely slow start, but positive word of mouth saw the film increase screens and made of Vikram a star.

Before accepting new films, Vikram ensured that he completed all his previous commitments, including acting in the ill-fated Vinnukkum Mannukkum.

For his next film, Dhill, Vikram went on a diet and transformed himself in a role and film that established himself as a mass hero.

After limited success with other films, Vikram bounced back with another masala entertainer, Dhool.

After a series of similar films, Vikram went up another rung with the release in 2003 of the film Saamy produced by K. Balachander and directed by Hari. The film was a blockbuster and he followed this with the critically acclaimed Bala directorial Pithamagan, in which he shared the lead with Suriya.

In 2005, Vikram won more critical acclaim for his role in Shankar’s Anniyan – which at the time was India’s most expensive film. Vikram’s greatly delayed film, Bheema and the eagerly anticipated Kandhasamy were box-office disappointments.

Vikram found further success and praise for his role in Maniratnam’s Raavanan, a film that was screened at the Venice Film Festival and the Busan International Film Festival.

Ill luck visited again and a series of films were halted, delayed or never launched, before he made a comeback in the tear-jerker, Deiva Thirumagal.

Vikram’s 2012 movie, Thaandavam owes much of its success to the effort and time put by Vikram in his preparation for the role.

Vikram’s next role for Shankar in the film I also brought him much praise and increased fame.

Despite choosing a variety of scripts and genres with Iru Mugan, Mahaan and Cobra, Vikram’s career was once again faltering.

Then came his roles in Ponniyin Selvan 1 & 2 and gained special appreciation for the intensity of his role in Ponniyin Selvan 2.

In 2024, he starred in the critically acclaimed Thangalaan directed by Pa. Ranjith. Despite more critical acclaim for his last released film, Veera Dheera Sooran, the film did not fare as expected at the box-office.

Vikram is also an accomplished singer and has sung more than 17 songs, including the hit songs of Kandhasamy. His son, Dhruv has been rapidly gaining popularity as an actor and singer.