Forbes India Celebrity 100 No. 28
Vijay
Age: 38
Nickname
Ilayathalapathi (young commander)
Biggest hits
Kadhalukku Mariyadhai, Ghilli, Nanban, and Thuppakki
What makes him click
Complete package: Comedy, dance, fights
Why producers are betting on him
A mass hero, with a fan base across age and gender
Fast facts
Son of director/producer SA Chandrasekhar, campaigned for AIADMK
Punch line
“Oru Vatti Mudivu Pannitenna En Peacha Nane Kekkamaten”—Pokkiri (Once I’ve made a decision, I won’t even listen to disagreement from myself)
Superstar yarunu kaeta chinna kozhandayum sollum
(If you ask who the superstar is, even a small child will tell you)
- from a song in Raja Chinna Roja
I am a little star, aaven naan superstar
(I will become a superstar)
- from a song in Samsara Sangeetham
There was a time in Tamil Nadu when these two songs would blare from every other tea shop loudspeaker, on All India Radio programmes (like Neyar Viruppam, or ‘Audience Choice’), and on tape recorders in drawing rooms across the state. There were no similarities between the two, either in tune or in setting. One featured Rajinikanth, the undisputed superstar, and the other a five-year-old boy, the son of an ambitious producer, director and actor. But the first lines of both songs captured a reality and an aspiration that defined Tamil cinema in 1989, the year those films hit the screens.
And they capture the reality today, 23 years later: Rajinikanth is still the superstar, and it’s every actor’s dream to inherit the title from him.
Much is promised to the winner. Superstardom means the extreme affection of the people. In May 2011, when Rajinikanth was hospitalised, many of his fans cried and went without food for days, praying for his recovery. There were special pujas in temples and at homes.
Superstardom also means immense political influence. Even though Rajinikanth has kept himself out of politics in the last several years, many remember how his campaign in 1996 dethroned Jayalalithaa. (His famous line, ‘Even God cannot save Tamil Nadu if the AIADMK returns to power’, went viral, just like the ones he delivers on screen.)
It also means national recognition. While most Tamil stars are hardly known outside the southern states, Rajini is well known across the country, and even in a few overseas markets (he has a huge fan following in Japan). His fame seems to be only growing, says SP Muthuraman, who has worked with Rajinikanth in 25 films. And, of course, it means wealth: Rajinikanth gets Rs 35 crore for a movie, according to at least four people in the industry.
Rajinikanth is still the undisputed No. 1 in Tamil cinema. But things have changed too. Despite what the innumerable jokes—or the kind of roles that he takes up in movies—suggest, he is getting older: He is 62. He is not doing as many films as he used to. In the year Raja Chinna Roja was released (1989), he acted in six other movies. Now, he takes up one project in two-three years. His next film, Kochadaiyaan, is an animation feature. While no one suggests the Rajini phenomenon has run its course, talk about who will occupy his throne once he vacates it is getting louder in his adopted home state. (Rajini is a Maratha. His original name is Shivaji Rao Gaekwad).
This is not the first time that the topic has come up. Several names have popped up in the past, including Vijayakanth, Karthik (son of yesteryear actor R Muthuraman) and Prabhu (son of Sivaji Ganesan). Rajini outran all his prospective successors. Vijayakanth and Karthik have launched political parties; Prabhu plays supporting roles.
In theory, any of the top actors have a chance of claiming the title. Vijay, Ajith, Suriya and Vikram are at the top rung. On the rung below are Dhanush and Silambarasan—both relatively young and still in the process of establishing their fan base. Vikram has delivered a number of hits, but lacks the base that the top three have.
Forbes India Celebrity 100 No. 28
Suriya
Age:37
Biggest hits: Kaakha Kaakha, Ghajini, Singam and 7aum Arivu
What makes him click
Variety of roles. Something new in every film
Why producers are betting on him
Popular among female fans. Popular in Telugu market too.
Fast facts
Son of actor Sivakumar. Married to actress Jyotika. Fitness freak
signature line
“Ongi adicha onra ton weight da. Paathirukiya?”—Singam (If I hit, it comes with the force of one-and-a-half tonnes. Have you seen it?)
Forbes India Celebrity No. 61
Ajith
Age: 41
Nickname: Thala (head)
Biggest hits: Kadhal Kottai, Vali, Billa and Mankatha
What makes him click
Intensity
Why producers are betting on him
King of the opening weekend. His films run full house for the first three days.
Fast facts
Married to actress Shalini. Passionate about cars and bikes. Participated in Formula races.
signature line
“Ennoda nanbana irukka thagudhi venam. Aana, ennoda ethiri ya irukka thagudhi
venum”—Billa 2 (You don’t need to be qualified to be my friend, but you need to be qualified to be my enemy)
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(This story appears in the 08 February, 2013 issue of Forbes India. To visit our Archives, click here.)
thala ajith is mass acter for tamilnadu ,ajith sir was good man and more helpful person ,,,,the single word in tamilnadu takes earth quake thal was ....thala...ajith he was a most mass mass massss actor ,,,we proud to be a thala fan ....thala na mass
on Oct 9, 2015\"SUPER STAR VIJAY \" that\'s it....
on May 28, 2015chiyaan vikram is the best,i like him very much,and im ahuge fan of him.,he is a philanthropist,but he doesnt shown publicity.,chiyaan chiyaan chiyaan forever
on May 26, 2015Ajith has out powered Rajini in recent times
on Apr 29, 2015Everyones like simplisity .thats ilayathalapathy vijay. All vijay fans are love him and trying to get his great atittude..
on Apr 24, 2015This was really s****, superstar should only find by d talents not by d age.. One and only hero who can up only by his hard work, dedication, simplicity is thala Ajith. Actor who avoids publicity and stands by himself in industry. He impacts great inspiration to all thr fanz.. Support d hero who doesn't have any background. Don't try to show ur mass to our thala fans.. Then we will show our mass.. Everyone knows after rajini sir huge fans following is for thala AJITH.. No one can replace him. He s best.
on Mar 16, 2015vijay is only actor can replace rajani\'s title because after rajani, vijay has more fan base and recently he introduced two of his movies to 100 crore club and record breaker
on May 11, 2015Vijay is mass hero and good dancer
on Jan 11, 2015ilayathalapathy vijay
on Jan 10, 2015the one and only gabber singh power star pavan kalyan is not next to rajini he is equal to rajini
on Dec 22, 2014Rajnikant\'s place cannot be taken by anybody. But Surya may try to fill the vacuums
on Dec 16, 2014iam very big fan of vijay anna...i love him
on Nov 11, 2014I\'m a north indian girl.. But in tamil cinema i know only two actors namely rajani nd vijay. Both have huge fan network in north here.. They are superstars..
on Nov 7, 2014we love Vijay . He is massy and action hero. be it DANCE , Dialogue delivery , fights ..super good actor. just love him on screen. He has more fan following after rajinikath.
on Nov 3, 2014As if now,Thalapathy is far ahead of Thala in their race towards being the next biggest star in Tamil nadu. Thala looks older and in not attracting the younger generation. Thalapathy still looks much younger and gonna last longer in this race. Kahthi s 23.8 crore collection on first day just proves the point right. Lets wait & see if \'Ennai arinthal \' box office collection can give a reply to this. Surya in nowhere in this race as he struggling hard to make his films work at the box office.
on Nov 2, 2014vijay films \'ghilli\'2004(original \'okkadu\' mahesh babu super hit film 2003). \'Pokkiri\' 2007(original \'pokiri\' mahesh babu super hit film). Vijay copying acting,movies,style,dialogue delivery,style,dressing from mahesh babu. Vijay is not ilaya thalapathy.Vijay is just copying thalapathy.
on Sep 10, 2014Surya is next super star
on Aug 7, 2014Vikram is acting in different roles like Kamal Hasan.He will be real super star in film industry next to Rajinikanth.
on Aug 1, 2014There is an only superstar, not be more. only superstar is RAJINI. I surely said vijay is not an next superstar. Because he is an worst actor in tamil cinema. vijay sethupathi do a different characters, but vijay do the same mass acting and he do lot of remake films. But he is the next REMAKE KING of whole Indian cinema.
on Jul 30, 2014Vijay is not next superstar, ever never only one superstar in Tamil cinema field i.e. Rajini sir only
on Jul 24, 2014correct bro.. each n every one has ter identity only one superstar tat is our superstar rajini
on Jul 25, 2014Thalapathy na mass . He is next superstar of india thalapathy na masss . He is next superstar
on Jun 26, 2014No one can even touch our Thalaivar\'s Shadow, That is RAJINI
on Jun 23, 2014vijay the best
on Apr 7, 2014Vijay sir always rocks. he is the next super star of tamilnadu.
on Feb 17, 2014i would say no one can become the next superstar. There is only one superstar in tamilnadu or in india and that is our one and only RAJINIKANTH sir. I am a fan of illayathalapathi vijay but for this thing i wont agree with any actors. I\'m also adding a point that VIJAY anna inherits some of the noble qualities that Rajini sir has.
on Dec 27, 2013Nobody is saying vijay is going to use the title superstar. it is a way of speech. Those days in 80\'s they would have asked who is next MGR. These polls said Vijay will be in the line of MGR and Rajni as top guy but not replace them
on Oct 15, 2014I\'d tell Surya is a great actor based on both fan wise and his hardworks. Surya is better than Ajith or Vijay Even girls and many families only like Surya, not the actors like ajith or vijay (who have fans of age 18-25 only) Also, none can be the next superstar, Thalaivar idathai yaralaiyum pudikka mudiyathu kanna ;) always surya na fan :D
on Dec 14, 2013i am sure surya will have a huge fan base than ajith n vijay when surya\'s 50 th movies is releasing as a surya fan i don\'t want to see surya as next super star and no nick names before his name surya.. always surya na fan :)
on Dec 13, 2013All girls like Vijay or Suriya......And comparing Rajini....Vijay has all the qualities..style etc...So Vijay........................I agree..
on Dec 11, 2013No doubt...its Vijay
on Dec 11, 2013talaiva vijay only the king of kollywood thats shows its similarity after rajini sir he is the superstar
on Nov 24, 2013talaiva is all ways king of kollywood, he is the next super star of kollywood after rajini sir
on Nov 24, 2013MAHESH BABU is the only superstar from south india after rajini.Tamil heros are local stars not super stars. Who is this vijay
on Nov 16, 2013vijay is the next super star......
on Nov 10, 2013AJITH is the next super star!!!!he never needs any publicity and he is the only man of giving hit with salt and pepper hair style!!!!
on Nov 2, 2013Ilaya Thalapathy Vijay da..
on Nov 1, 2013Ilaya Thalapathy Vijay rockssssss...............
on Nov 1, 2013vijay is real king of kollywood he bertter than surya and ajith
on Oct 14, 2013always ilaya thalapathy vijay. he is the real king of kollywood.
on Oct 6, 2013vijay is the allways king in india and srilanka.i am a srilankan.
on Oct 2, 2013vijay is no1
on Sep 30, 2013All India agrees that MAHESH BABU Is the only SOUTH SUPER STAR after rajini.And all other tamil heros are local stars only. And who is this vijay?
on Sep 29, 2013Thala is best forever.... What a stylish person he is... after superstar thala only
on Sep 19, 2013thalapathy vijay annan daa...he always rockz...after rajini sir its our vijay annaaaaaa...
on Sep 14, 2013prince mahesh babu looks like hollywood actor he is the second sexiest and craziest star in india after sharukh khan @sharuk also agrees that he replace rajnikanth in india
on Sep 13, 2013In Srilanka Vijay has Sinhala fans also
on Aug 30, 2013I am a SriLankan.In Srilanka @ Europe VIJAY has the most fan following.Please don\'t angry with me Srilankans don\'t know who is Mahesh babu please tell who is that @ tell the name of his Tamil remake films
on Aug 30, 2013Next rajini is our chinna mgr \'Dr.Ilaiya thalapathy vijay\'. No body can touch us.
on Aug 6, 2013ok,i agree u,no one can replace rajni,we are not talking about superstar position,in every era their will be a super star,before death of M.G.R,Sivaji they were superstars,after them era of rajni,kamal in that period rajini is superstar,we are talking about superstar of current generation,before commenting understand what they are talking about.in that point there are three stars for that title vijay,ajith and suriya,amoung tham my choice is ever green vijay...................thalaivaa vijay
on Jul 24, 2013Im a Srilankan..No one can replace Rajni sir..!! he rulz..!!
on Jul 8, 2013vijay only can be compare with rajini sir by fan\'s concern
on Apr 18, 2013rajini sir is always great... after rajini sir only our thalapathy vijay anna can take this place in fan based really vijay is great actor with complete package with acting skills, dancing, comedy, action... proud to be rajini and vijay anna fan
on Apr 10, 2013Vijay is always rock next superstsr
on Apr 2, 2013Rajini sir is really great but after Rajini sir I prefer Vijay bcoz he is better than others and he has huge fans after Superstar Rajinikanth sir.
on Mar 5, 2013i m a big fan of my thalaivar rajini sir. my suggestion is vijay only. bcos after rajini he\'s the only actor having more fans in south india. from child to old peoples all are liking vijay after rajini sir. so vijay only suitable for next superstar in south india. of course vijay having many haters in tamilnadu but also having many fans club n many fans in all over south india.once rajini sir itself told vijay only be next superstar nu.thala acting also very nice but he cant attract elders. just young persons specially boys only liking thala. but our vijay attract all generations. the reason is he having more talent in commercial actings.thats why my opition is vijay after rajini sir.
on Mar 1, 2013thala ajith,next superstar marana mass da...
on Feb 10, 2013"Illaya thalapthi" VIJAY the nex super star in tamil industry. because childs, womens, boys, girls, old man and womens we r feel about him in our own boy. Innecent smile break all tension. we r waiting announced vijay the next super star. already announced past year private channel announced vijay. i know i talk about good english sentance but i intrested say about vijay anna. thank u sir.......
on Feb 7, 2013Dey kannungalaaa Inniku mattum illae Ennaikumae SUPERSTAR nu sonnae Athu Engae THALAIVAR RAJNI mattum thaanda ... I bet you people even after 10 years from now same kind of argument will be there .... Who is next superstart? I bet you on one more fact by that time all your starts would have vanished in to a dark. May be they will be treated like a comedian .. Don\'t you remember how T.R was once .. Vijayakanth was once ... Ramaraj was once .... So Thalapathy is future T.R or Vijayakanth .. ha ha ha ha ha .... Podi pasangala... poi velayae paarungada
on Feb 13, 2013Thala Ajith will be next Superstar...
on Feb 6, 2013Mahesh babu is most popular superstar after Rajnikant in south India. Please post an article on Mahesh mania-the no1 tollywood hero.
on Feb 5, 2013Ok u know what, i totally disagree with you. Ok before i start yes i understand Superstar is Superstar, no one can replace him, but the thing now is, who will the next number one, and the obvious answer is THALA AJITH!! Vijay similar to Rajni? what nonsense. Vijay was promoted from young by his father. He and his father was with DMK and the ran to Jayalalitha when they won the elections. Everyone knew that. Thala Ajith : The one man warrior. No background support!! ( U forgot That!! ) He did not have any help, he does not promote his charity work like Surya, he did deliver flops, but then he still won the heart of millions not only in TN but also in Singapore, UK and Malaysia. Now in terms of popularity, u remember the time in the 90s where movies use to have scenes of Rajni, or Rajni songs just to attract the audience? Nowadays its Thala Ajith, u dont see that in Surya or Vijay. Examples of Movies : SMS, Mappilai, Ambasamuthira Ambani, Silambattam, Manmadhan, Maayavi, Vettai, Osthe. Check out videos of pattimandram by Leoni, even he uses Ajith to get the crowd to react. Watch videos of people\'s reaction when they say the word ajith be it in theatre, colleges or talk shows. The crowd starts whistling, screaming. ALL THIS MAKES HIM THE CLEAR NEXT NO 1 in TAMIL NADU! Thank You. Ash Malaysia.
on Feb 5, 2013Ok u know what, i totally disagree with you. Ok before i start yes i understand Superstar is Superstar, no one can replace him, but the thing now is, who will the next number one, and the obvious answer is THALA AJITH!! Vijay similar to Rajni? No Way. Vijay was promoted from young by his father. He and his father was with DMK and the ran to Jayalalitha when they won the elections. Everyone knew that. Thala Ajith : The one man warrior. No background support!! ( U forgot That!! ) He did not have any help, he does not promote his charity work like Surya, he did deliver flops, but then he still won the heart of millions not only in TN but also in Singapore, UK and Malaysia. Now in terms of popularity, u remember the time in the 90s where movies use to have scenes of Rajni, or Rajni songs just to attract the audience? Nowadays its Thala Ajith, u dont see that in Surya or Vijay. Examples of Movies : SMS, Mappilai, Ambasamuthira Ambani, Silambattam, Manmadhan, Maayavi, Vettai, Osthe. Check out videos of pattimandram by Leoni, even he uses Ajith to get the crowd to react. Watch videos of people's reaction when they say the word ajith be it in theatre, colleges or talk shows. The crowd starts whistling, screaming. ALL THIS MAKES HIM THE CLEAR NEXT NO 1 in TAMIL NADU! Thank You. Ash Malaysia.
on Feb 5, 2013Stars may come, Stars may go.. But the Superstar remains forever.. Although he releases one film in two years, The mass and craze which the people of Tamil Nadu, His fans have on him has never gone low, He is the only star on earth whose mass image keeps on increasing every year more than his age, It is Superstar Rajinikanth who is been invited by USA (Maryland Governor) as Special guest, It\'s Superstar\'s Enthiran which opened the world wide market for Tamil films,He has the power to change anything, Millions of strong youngsters are with him, But he never uses them for his own good, He asks his fans to look after their family first, When there are stars who do things for publicity in front of the camera, He is the only Star who lives a simple life despite his Superstardom, I strongly disagree with FORBES article of who will inherit Superstar\'s throne, Even in dream it will not happen.. Please come to Tamil Nadu and watch out the audio launch celebration of Kochadaiayaan, Rajini fans celebrate the audio launch itself as a big festival, Then think what will happen when the movie release.. THE MOST POWERFUL STAR WHO HAS THE MOST POWERFUL FANS.
on Feb 4, 2013Thala only da. . .
on Feb 4, 2013Always RAJINIKANTH..........
on Feb 3, 2013Thala is the next super star!!!!!
on Feb 3, 2013Is this a paid advertisement for Vijay? By the way, there is no one to inherit Rajini\'s throne. Though I am not a big time Rajini fan, I would say, like Suryan, Chandran.....there is only one superstar - The Rajini.
on Feb 2, 2013thala is the next super star, no one will defeat ajith
on Feb 2, 2013Next Super Star Vijay
on Feb 2, 2013vijay is d nxt supr star
on Feb 2, 2013Thala is next super star. He is the king of Tamil cinema
on Feb 1, 2013only vijay can b the next super star
on Feb 1, 2013Good Article. All facts. Definitely, Vijay is next to Rajni in terms of popularity and love people have on him. But, still Rajni is not replaceable. Vijay will be the top actor, undoubtedly though !!
on Feb 1, 2013No one can replace our \"Thalaivar\" RAJINIKANTH. He is the one and only SUPERSTAR.
on Feb 1, 2013Only one can inherit his name is \"RAJINIKANTH\"
on Feb 1, 2013No one will inherit Rajnikanth\'s throne.
on Feb 1, 2013Very good article, though disagree with certain things, especially like the last line None can replace Superstar Rajinikanth:-!He s the Star of Century..:)
on Feb 1, 2013Stars may come, Stars may go.. But the Superstar remains forever.. Although he releases one film in two years, The mass and craze which the people of Tamil Nadu, His fans have on him has never gone low, He is the only star on earth whose mass image keeps on increasing every year more than his age, It is Superstar Rajinikanth who is been invited by USA (Maryland Governor) as Special guest, It\'s Superstar\'s Enthiran which opened the world wide market for Tamil films,He has the power to change anything, Millions of strong youngsters are with him, But he never uses them for his own good, He asks his fans to look after their family first, When there are stars who do things for publicity in front of the camera, He is the only Star who lives a simple life despite his Superstardom, I strongly disagree with FORBES article of who will inherit Superstar\'s throne, Even in dream it will not happen.. Please come to Tamil Nadu and watch out the audio launch celebration of Kochadaiayaan, Rajini fans celebrate the audio launch itself as a big festival, Then think what will happen when the movie release.. THE MOST POWERFUL STAR WHO HAS THE MOST POWERFUL FANS...
on Feb 4, 2013I absolutely agree with u bro..:) Rajini is the star of century, once in a life time we see a star like Rajini sir!!! His reach is impeccable throughout the world. He s famous for his Style, Dialogue delivery, acting, mannerisms and above all his humility...no actor can have all these qualities he can be compared only to the criketing great Sachin Tendulkar!!! And remember guys he is 62yrs but this man at 62 creating a frenzy among crowds whenever his film releases or on his birthday where even younger actors can\'t do this! Rajini is irreplaceable!!
on Feb 4, 2013Yes, Fantastic explanation karthik. Superstar will remain superstar for ever. This forbes article is a junk. They do not really know the fan following of superstar.
on Feb 4, 2013NEXT SUPER STAR ILAYA THALAPATHY VIJAY..........NO ONE BEAT HIM.......BECAUSE HE HAS TALENT ON ACTION,COMEDY and DANCE SO COMPLETE PACKAGE WE CAN GET FROM HIM.......MASS AUDIENCE ALSO IN ALL OVER WORLD
on Feb 8, 2013Well said karthik, oru vaanam oru boomi oru suriyan oru chandiran oru superstar - Rajinikanth
on May 16, 2014