Vikram (actor)

Vikram
Vikram in 2011
Born
Kennedy John Victor

(1966-04-17) 17 April 1966 (age 58)[1][2]
Chennai, India
Other namesChiyaan Vikram, Kenny
Alma materLoyola College, Chennai, Pachaiyappa's College
OccupationActor
Years active1990–present
Spouse
Shailaja Balakrishnan
​
​
(m. 1992)​
Children2; including Dhruv
Parent(s)Vinod Raj (father), Rajeshwari (mother)
AwardsFull list
HonoursKalaimamani (2004)

Kennedy John Victor (born 17 April 1966), better known by his stage name Vikram, is an Indian actor who predominantly works in Tamil films, he has also worked in a few Malayalam films. He is among the most decorated actors in Tamil cinema, with laurels including seven Filmfare Awards South, a National Film Award, four Tamil Nadu State Film Awards and the Kalaimamani Award from the Government of Tamil Nadu. Based on the earnings of Indian celebrities, Vikram was included in the Forbes India Celebrity 100 list for 2016 and 2018.[3]

Vikram debuted with the romance En Kadhal Kanmani (1990) followed by his major breakthrough with his portrayal of a rogue-turned-lover in Bala's tragedy film Sethu (1999) and next appeared in hit films like Dhill (2001), Gemini (2002), Dhool (2003), Saamy (2003), Anniyan (2005), Raavanan (2010), Deiva Thirumagal (2011) and Iru Mugan (2017). He also earned widespread critical acclaim for diverse roles of disadvantaged people in Kasi (2001), Samurai (2002) and Pithamagan (2003); the lattermost won him the National Film Award for Best Actor.[4] Vikram's highest-grossing releases came with the romantic thriller I (2015) and the epic historical dramas Ponniyin Selvan: I (2022) and Ponniyin Selvan: II (2023).

Vikram has promoted various social causes and appeared as the Youth Envoy for the United Nations Human Settlements Programme in 2011. He has been a brand ambassador of Sanjeevani Trust and a school for special children, Vidya Sudha, which he stayed at during the making of Deiva Thirumagal as well as having long-term associations with the Kasi Eye Care and running his own welfare association through the Vikram Foundation.[5] In 2016, he produced and directed the video to the flood relief anthem, Spirit of Chennai, as a tribute to the city's volunteers following the 2015 South Indian floods.

  1. ^ "Surprise b'day cake for Vikram on 'Sketch' set". Sify.com. 17 April 2017. Archived from the original on 7 February 2018. Retrieved 17 September 2018.
  2. ^ Vasudevan, K.V. (23 April 2016). "Actor vikram turned 50 last week". The Hindu. Archived from the original on 6 February 2018. Retrieved 17 September 2018.
  3. ^ "Vikram – Forbes India Magazine". Forbes India. Archived from the original on 3 June 2020. Retrieved 1 May 2020.
  4. ^ Kumar, Ashok (20 August 2004). "Vikram, the Victor". The Hindu. Archived from the original on 1 February 2015. Retrieved 31 July 2011.
  5. ^ "Vikram happy at being chosen UN Youth envoy". Deccan Herald. 23 April 2010. Archived from the original on 15 May 2011. Retrieved 7 January 2011.