Vijay Antony, born Frances Antony Cyril Raja, is a man of many talents. He is a music composer, lyricist, playback singer, film editor, audio engineer, and actor, who works predominantly in the Tamil film industry. His song Naaka Mukka was played during the Cricket World Cup of 2011.
Wiki/Biography
Vijay Antony was born in Nagercoil, Kanyakumari District, Tamil Nadu on Thursday, 24 July 1975 (age 48 years; as of 2023). His zodiac sign is Leo. He attended the Campion Anglo-Indian Higher Secondary School, Tiruchirappalli. He also has a Science degree from St. Xavier’s College, Trichy. Further, he has done a Visual Communication Course from Loyola College, Nagercoil, Tamil Nadu. He also did a correspondence course at Trinity College London. After he graduated from Loyola College, he set up a studio named ‘Audiophiles’ where he started his sound engineering career.
Physical Appearance
Height (approx.): 5′ 9″
Weight (approx.): 70kg
Hair Colour: Black
Eye Colour: Black
Family
Vijay Antony was born into a Christian family in Kanyakumari. Vijay lived in Trichy until he was ten years old, after which he and his mother moved to Tirunelveli where they spent ten years until they finally moved to Chennai. His great-grandfather, Samuel Vedanayagam Pillai, was a well-known social worker. He was also famous for his novels and poems and is the author of what is deemed to be the first modern Tamil novel, Prathapa Mudaliar Charithram.
Parents & Siblings
Vijay’s father passed away when he was 7 years old, and was raised by his mother who got a government job to support the two. Vijay’s mother was a clerk in a Town Planning Office. Vijay Antony states that his mother earned a meagre salary that was enough to cover the basics and that they had hardships as he grew up.
A young Vijay Antony with his mother who raised him by herself
Wife & Children
Vijay is married to Fathima Vijay Antony who is a producer. They got married in the year 2006 and have two daughters, Meera Vijay Antony and Laara Vijay Antony. Vijay credits his success to his wife’s support and management. She produces Vijay’s films through the Vijay Antony Film Corporations. They live in Chennai.
Vijay Antony with his wife Fathima Vijay Antony
Vijay Antony’s wife Fathima and daughter
Relationships
Vijay married Fathima a year after he made his debut in the Tamil film industry for the movie Sukran (2005) as a music director, and the two have remained married ever since.
Religion
Vijay Antony follows Christianity.
Career
Film
Vijay Antony made his acting debut with the movie Kizhakku Kadalkarai Salai (2006). his first lead role was in the movie Naan (2012), after which he acted in its sequel Salim (2014). He also won the hearts of the audience in the movie Pichaikkaran (2016) by playing the role of Arul Selva Kumar. He has acted in films such as Saithan (2016), Yaman (2017), Kaali (2018), Kodiyil Oruvan (2021), and Pichaikkaran 2 (2023), which he directed as well. Vijay Antony has several projects lined up such as Kolai whose first looks have been released.
Vijay Antony in the poster of his first film as a lead, Naan (2012)
Vijay Antony in the poster of the film Kolai
Television
Vijay had a role in Season 1 of the television show Chinna Papa Periya Papa (2002) when he went by the name Agni. He has also acted in Malargal (2005), Kana Kaanum Kaalangal (2006), Megala (2007), and Season 2 of Chinna Papa Periya Papa (2015).
Music
Director
Vijay’s career as a music director started in 2005 with the movie Sukran in which is sang a song as well. Over the years he has been the music director of numerous films, most in Tamil, but a few in Kannada and Telugu. Films whose music has brought him acclaim are Kadhalil Vizhunthen (2008), Vettaikaaran (2009), Naan (2012), Saithan (2016), Annadurai (2017), Thimiru Pudichavan (2018), and Pichaikkaran 2 (2023).
Singer
His career as a singer and music director began with the same film when he sang the song Saathikadi for Sukran (2005). He has sung other well-loved songs like Dailamo Dailamo (2006), Chillax (2013), Karigalan (2013), Nooru Samigal (2016), Aathichudi (2019), Kollathey Kollathey (2019). The song that brought him the most success was Naaka Mukka (2008) from the film Kadhalil Vizhunthen. This song won him critical acclaim and earned him a Cannes Golden Lion Award, making him the first Indian to do so.
Vijay Antony recording a song
Controversies
While Vijay Antony’s personal life has been controversy-free, his movie Saithan (2016), faced some backlash from religious groups. Upon the release of the teaser for Saithan, which was received well on most fronts, certain Hindu religious groups were offended by the background music used for the teaser. They stated that it sounded like Sanskrit chants and demanded action to be taken. Vijay Antony listened to their concerns and removed the music and took down that version of the teaser.
I heard that a few lines in the teaser of Saithan, which were written by the late lyricist Annamalai, sounded like Sanskrit verses and has hurt a few individuals. Heeding to their request, I have decided to withdraw those lines immediately. As a result of this, you will not find the teaser of Saithan on my Facebook, YouTube or Twitter page.”
Vijay Antony in the poster of the film Saithan whose teaser music offended religious groups
Awards, Honours, Achievements
- Vijay Antony received the Cannes Golden Lion Award, in 2009, under the category ‘Best of Music’ for his song Naaka Mukka.
Car Collection
Vijay Antony’s car collection includes a BMW 730Ld, a Kia Carnival and an Audi Q3.
Favourites
- Food: South Indian Food (particularly Chettinad cuisine)
Vijay Antony’s favourite lyricist Vairamuthu
- Song: ‘Tholvi Nilayena Ninaithal’ from Oomai Vizhigal
Facts/Trivia
- When Frances Antony Cyril Raja entered the Tamil film industry, he took on the name Agni. However, actor, producer and director S.A. Chandrasekhar believed that the name ‘Agni’ was not “lucky” and suggested he use his son’s name, Vijay (one of the most popular actors in the Tamil film industry), and hence the name Vijay Antony was born.
- Vijay Antony is lovingly referred to as Music Star and Unique Star by his fans.
- Vijay Antony got into a boat accident while shooting for his movie Pichaikkaran 2, which is incidentally his directorial debut. The accident occurred while shooting a romantic song. His jet ski hit that of his cinematographer and assistant. He was injured in the face and fell unconscious into the sea. He was saved by his costar Kavya Thapar and Arjun, a camera assistant.