Today, June 22, 2024 marks the 50th birthday of superstar Thalapathy Vijay. Fans from across the globe celebrate the actor and his work with great fervor. Filmmakers have also marked the day by rereleasing some of Vijay’s most prominent films from his career in theatres. Additionally, the anticipation for his upcoming film, The Greatest of All Time (GOAT), is at its peak. The makers have released a sneak peek from the movie and extended their wishes for the actor.
Despite the celebrations, fans are sad that GOAT marks Vijay’s second last film. His final project is tentatively titled ‘Thalapathy 69.’ The actor will completely transition into politics post its release. However, for those eager to watch Vijay’s best work, here is a curated list, promising a diverse range of entertainment for your watchlist.
Leo
Directed by Lokesh Kanagaraj, Leo is Thalapathy Vijay’s most recent release. The film premiered in theaters on October 19, 2023, and received mixed reviews from critics and audiences. Marking Vijay’s 67th film as a lead actor, Leo shattered several box office records and emerged as the third highest-grossing Tamil film of all time.
The storyline centers around Parthi, a young man who works as an animal rescuer and owns a café. However, he has a dark past that he keeps hidden from his wife. The plot thickens when Antony Das pursues Parthi, believing that the latter is actually his son, Leo Das, who had escaped a few years ago. The film is a blend of intense action sequences with extraordinary cinematic cutscenes, making it a thrilling experience for viewers. For those eager to witness Vijay’s compelling performance in Leo, the movie is available for streaming on Netflix.
Varisu
Varisu is an action drama directed by Vamshi Paidipally that premiered in theaters on January 11, 2023. The film stars Vijay and Rashmika Mandanna in the lead roles, with a strong supporting cast including Sarathkumar, Prabhu, Shaam, Srikanth, Sangeetha Krish, Samyuktha, Yogi Babu, and Khushbu.
Varisu revolves around the Palanisamy family, who are in search of an heir for their business. Rajendra Palanisamy, the patriarch, sets a challenge for his two sons, where the winner will inherit the family business. Meanwhile, Rajendra’s third son, Vijay, has become detached from the family, staying away due to personal reasons. The story takes a dramatic turn when Rajendra’s health worsens, prompting Vijay to return home. His return sets off a series of events that challenge family dynamics and business rivalries. For those interested in exploring the rest of the story, Varisu is currently streaming on Amazon Prime Video.
Thuppakki
Thuppakki, a pivotal film in Vijay’s early career, played a significant role in establishing his presence in Tamil cinema. Directed by AR Murugadoss, the film was produced under the banner of Gemini Film Circuit. It premiered in theaters on November 13, 2012, coinciding with Diwali festivities, and became a major commercial success. Recently, as a special treat for Vijay’s fans, the filmmakers rereleased the film on June 21 to celebrate the actor’s 50th birthday.
Thuppakki revolves around an army captain on a mission to take down terrorists and sleeper cells. It stars Vijay, Kajal Aggarwal, Sathyan, Vidyut Jammwal, Jayaram, Maobala, and others. The film’s success also prompted a Hindi remake titled Holiday: A Soldier Is Never Off Duty in 2014, starring Akshay Kumar. It was also directed by Murugadoss. For interested viewers, Thuppakki is currently streaming on various platforms, including Prime Video, Hotstar, Aha, and more.
Pokkiri
Pokkiri holds nostalgic value for Vijay’s fans, originally released on January 12, 2007. Directed by Prabhu Deva, it is a remake of the Telugu film Pokiri starring Mahesh Babu. Vijay and Asin played the lead roles in this action-packed thriller. Additionally, the duo is supported by a talented cast including Prakash Raj, Nassar, Mukesh Tiwari, Vadivelu, Sriman, Napoleon, and others.
The film’s success led to its dubbed versions being released, including Wanted Baaghi in Hindi and Wanted Police in Odia. However, its filmmakers also rereleased Pokkiri in theaters, to celebrate Vijay’s birthday and his legacy. Currently, Pokkiri is available to digitally stream on platforms like Prime Video and Sun NXT.
Currently, Vijay is preparing for his upcoming release, The GOAT. The film is slated to hit theaters on September 5, 2024. As the anticipation continues to build, fans are eagerly awaiting to see how his future projects will fare at the box office. Stay tuned for more updates!
