BIRTHDAY SPECIAL: 15 epic 'Chiyaan' Vikram performances that remind us why Tamil cinema is blessed to have him - FULL LIST HERE!

National Award-winning actor Vikram is celebrating his birthday today and wishes are pouring in for Tamil cinema's powerhouse performer from all corners. Lovingly called 'Chiyaan' by his ardent fans everywhere, the actor is a busy man these days with three big upcoming films starting with Ponniyin Selvan: 2 gearing up to open in cinemas worldwide on April 28, while he's currently filming the much-awaited Thangalaan under Pa. Ranjith's direction, with expectations huge for the highly-anticipated Dhruva Natchathiram to finally release in theatres this year. Vikram, who has consistently redefined himself as a performer with his powerful roles in several films throughout the course of his glorious career, is undoubtedly one of the most precious talents Tamil cinema has ever produced and fans will be looking forward to witness him deliver memorable performances once again in Ponniyin Selvan: 2, Dhruva Natchathiram, and Thangalaan. 

On the occasion of his birthday today, we look back at 15 films that show why there's more to Vikram than meets the eye, which fans should not miss watching under any cost. 

SETHU (1999)

The film that changed it all - Sethu released in 1999 gifted Tamil cinema not only the big find director Bala, but also made us all take notice of Vikram in a big way, who delivered one of his most memorable performances. 

DHILL (2001)

Post Sethu, Vikram underwent yet another physical transformation for his role as an aspiring police officer, with Dhill showcasing the plight of a righteous man in the face of big obstacles when he goes up against a cop with immense power at his disposal. 

KASI (2001)

The film that literally showed us that there's more to Vikram than meets the eye and he made sure he wasn't going to be a one-film wonder after his sensational performance in Sethu. With Kasi, Vikram had a big challenge up ahead as he had to come up with a performance along the lines of late actor Kalabhavan Mani, who aced the same role in Vasanthiyum Lakshmiyum Pinne Njaanum in 1999. 

GEMINI (2002)

They say love can sometimes make one do crazy things and that's what happens when Vikram as a small-time criminal and aspiring don falls head over heels in love with Kiran and sets to reform his life. The 'O Podu' song in Gemini went on to become a rage among fans and continues to be a trademark for 'Chiyaan' to this date. 

SAMURAI (2002)

One big trait in Vikram's career is his will to experiment and on a frequent level, which was once again witnessed in Samurai, the directorial debut of Balaji Sakthivel before he hit the jackpot with Kaadhal next. Despite not being a big commercial success, Samurai garnered a cult following over the years as Vikram was a big highlight with fans getting to see him deliver one of the most refined performances in his career. 

KING (2002)

The film Vikram has to this date stated will remain close to his heart always. Set amidst a rural backdrop and centered around the relationship between a father and son, King highlighted family values, while also leaving our hearts full for its fun and heartwarming moments with its ensemble cast. 

DHOOL (2003)

A blockbuster right from the get-go, Dhool saw Vikram as an unstoppable force out to see that there's evil rid from the society. The action masala entertainer had the actor play a kindhearted man from a village backdrop, who comes to the big city and gets entangled in a web of bad people around him, with the film showing him standing up to them all and emerging triumphant on all fronts. 

SAAMY (2003)

Although Vikram didn't get to don the khakhi in full in Dhill, he made sure to make up for it in Saamy as DCP Aarusaamy. Showing him to be flawed and then making a redemption was a big highlight of the film, which continues to garner the same level of adulation as it did during its release two decades back. 

PITHAMAGAN (2003)

What didn't happen in Sethu and Kasi, finally transpired in Pithamagan, with Vikram winning the 'National Film Award for Best Actor' for his powerful performance, which continues to be etched in every Tamil cinema lover's mind and heart. Playing the role of Chithan alongside Suriya, this was a role tailor-made for the actor and he definitely didn't hold himself back one bit in showing and reminding us the versatile talent he is. 

ANNIYAN (2005)

Taking up a triple role is one thing and one person playing three different personas is an entirely different facet and Vikram came out all guns blazing with his portrayal of Ramanujam aka. Ambi / Remo / Anniyan in Anniyan. And, does one even need to be reminded of the climactic sequence when we see him shift from each of the personalities back-to-back in fleeting seconds. 

RAAVANAN (2010)

A collaboration that was long-awaited, the Vikram-Mani Ratnam association finally happened with Raavanan, and much to the delight of fans, the actor came out on top once again with an impeccable performance. Centered around the crux of the epic Ramayana and the story of Ravana abducting Rama's wife Sita, we see Vikram play the role of tribal leader-turned-naxalite named Veeraiya, who kidnaps Raagini (Aishwarya Rai Bachchchan), the wife of a ruthless cop named Dev Prakash Subramaniam (Prithviraj Sukumaran). 

DEIVA THIRUMAGAL (2011)

Yet another testimony of Vikram's hunger to prove himself time after time as a powerhouse performer to reckon and on this occasion as an intellectually disabled man in Deiva Thirumagal, the actor came out with flying colors once again. If the emotional bonding between his character and Sara Arjun as father and daughter pulled at your heartstrings, Vikram's performance was without a shadow of a doubt the icing on the cake. 

I (2015)

If one needs to see what dedication to a role is, Vikram invited the world to witness it in real with I and his transformation from a bodybuilder to a skinny hunchback, who is out on a mission to exact vengeance, left fans rooting for him in theatres. The enthusiasm and efforts the actor put into achieving his looks for his role, while also coming up with yet another top-tier performance is something that continues to be well-remembered. 

MAHAAN (2022)

Vikram as Gandhi Mahaan, a middle-aged school teacher in Mahaan, goes on to become a powerful liquor baron after embarking on a journey of self-discovery. The evolution of his character and his character arc from start to finish alongside his son Dhruv Vikram also sees him put up one of the finest performances that is both powerful and subtle in the right proportions. 

PONNIYIN SELVAN: 1 (2022)

You want an actor with a majestic personality to portray Aditha Karikalan, the crown prince of the Chola empire, and who better than 'Chiyaan' Vikram. The actor breathed life into the iconic warrior and commander in Ponniyin Selvan: 1 as audiences witnessed the distinguished character in his royal performance at display. All set to reprise Aditha Karikalan once again in Ponniyin Selvan: 2, fans will no doubt be waiting to see him come up with yet another memorable act on the big screen.