Vijay Antony
{{Short description|Indian film composer and actor}}
{{EngvarB|date=August 2014}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=November 2020}}
{{Infobox person
| name = Vijay Antony
| image = Vijayantony.jpj.jpg
| caption = Vijay Antony in a photoshoot
| birth_name = Frances Antony Cyril Raja
| birth_date = {{birth date and age|1975|7|24|df=y}}
| birth_place = Nagercoil, Tamil Nadu, India
| occupation = {{hlist|Music composer|playback singer|actor|film editor|lyricist|audio engineer|film producer|director|dubbing artist}}
| nationality = Indian
| spouse = Fathima
| children = 2
}}
Frances Antony Cyril Raja (born 24 July 1975) known professionally as Vijay Antony,{{Cite web|url=http://www.vijayantony.com/vijayantony-biography.html|title=VIJAY ANTONY|website=vijayantony.com|access-date=15 January 2020|archive-date=8 November 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191108232010/http://www.vijayantony.com/vijayantony-biography.html|url-status=live}} is an Indian music composer, playback singer, actor, film editor, lyricist, audio engineer, and filmmaker working predominantly in Tamil cinema.
He made his debut as music composer in 2005 with Sukran. He made his acting debut in 2012 Naan and is known for his roles in action thriller films such as Salim (2014) and Pichaikkaran (2016).{{Cite web|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/tamil/movies/did-you-know/did-you-know-vijay-antonys-big-screen-debut-was-not-naan/articleshow/75602799.cms|title = Did you know, Vijay Antony's big-screen debut was not 'Naan'?}}
Early life
Vijay was born in Nagercoil, Kanyakumari District. When he entered the media and film industry, he had picked Agni as his stage name, but this was changed to Vijay by director S. A. Chandrasekhar who had commented that Agni was not lucky.
Antony was brought up by his mother after his father committed suicide when Antony was 7. He is not a trained musician, but started his career as a sound engineer later became a music composer. After completing his tertiary education, he established an audio studio called Audio Infotainment and worked there as a sound engineer. In his early days as a music composer, he composed jingles for advertisements, and notable background scores for television shows by conducting research on sound engineering.{{cite web|author=Kalpagam Sarma|url=http://www.goergo.in/?p=3265|title='Naaka Mukka' Antony|work=goergo.in|accessdate=2009-01-19|archive-date=2011-01-02|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110102041428/http://www.goergo.in/?p=3265|url-status=dead}} His music composing venture in movies arrived when Oscar Ravichandran approached Antony to compose music for his film Dishyum, but his music composer debut in movies happened through Sukran, as it was released first.
Career
=Composing=
Vijay Antony started his composing career with the 2005 film Sukran.{{Cite web|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/tamil/movies/news/vijay-antony-to-sam-cs-kollywood-music-directors-who-are-celebrated-less/photostory/98765148.cms?picid=98765217|title = Vijay Antony to Sam CS: Kollywood music directors who are celebrated less}} He was nominated for his score in the film Naan Avan Illai (2007).
Antony's songs for the 2008 film Kadhalil Vizhunthen became hits, especially the dappan koothu number Nakka Mukka.{{Cite web|url=https://www.newindianexpress.com/entertainment/tamil/2011/Mar/07/nakka-mukka-catches-composer-by-surprise-233459.html|title = ‘Nakka Mukka’ catches composer by surprise}} He became the first Indian music director to win a Cannes Golden Lion award, for "Nakka Mukka" (for The Times of India) in the Best of Music category.{{cite news|url=https://m.timesofindia.com/india/TOI-wins-India-its-first-Gold-Film-Lions-at-Cannes/articleshow/4710682.cms |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120405211513/http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2009-06-28/india/28159732_1_jwt-india-agnello-dias-taproot-india |url-status=live |archive-date=5 April 2012 |title=TOI wins India its first Gold Film Lions at Cannes |date=28 June 2009 |work=The Times of India |access-date=18 August 2012}} The song was later played at the 2011 Cricket World Cup.{{Cite web|url=https://www.moviebuff.com/vijay-antony|title = Vijay Antony}}
Antony composed the music to a few Tamil soundtracks in 2009, including A Aa E Ee, TN 07 AL 4777, Mariyadhai, Ninaithale Inikkum, and Vettaikaaran.
Antony had composed music for many Tamil films of the early 2010s, including Aval Peyar Thamizharasi, Uthama Puthiran, Vedi, and Velayudham.
Antony made his Telugu composing debut with Mahatma (2009) and his Kannada composing debut with Buddhivantha (2007).{{Cite web|url=https://www.newindianexpress.com/entertainment/tamil/2009/Jun/02/vijay-antony-goes-to-tollywood-53982.html|title =Vijay Antony goes to Tollywood}}{{Cite web|url=https://www.filmibeat.com/celebs/vijay-antony/biography.html|title = Vijay Antony}}
Antony has composed music for most of his own acting films, including Naan (2012), Salim (2014), Pichaikkaran (2016), Saithan (2016), Yaman (2017), Annadurai (2017), Kaali (2018), Thimiru Pudichavan (2019) and Pichaikkaran 2 (2023).
=Acting=
File:Vijay Antony and Arjun at the ‘Kolaigaran’ Press Meet.jpg
Vijay Antony's acting debut was in the crime thriller Naan where he played the lead role.{{Cite web|url=https://www.indiaglitz.com/vijay-antonys-naan-trailers-this-diwali-kannada-news-73030|title = Vijay Antony's 'Naan' trailers this Diwali}} The film's standalone sequel titled Salim, an action thriller, was his next project as an actor, for which he also composed music.{{Cite web|url=https://www.indiaglitz.com/salim-tamil-movie-17833|title = Salim}}
In 2015, he starred in the romantic comedy India Pakistan, his first acting film for which he was not the music director.{{Cite web|url=https://www.indiaglitz.com/india-pakistan-movie-review-tamil-movie-review-19419.html|title = India Pakistan Review}} In 2016, he chose to star in the action thriller Pichaikkaran (2016), collaborating with his Dishyum director Sasi.{{cite news|url=http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/tamil/movies/news/No-one-will-want-to-play-a-beggar-in-a-film-but-I-did/articleshow/48641784.cms|title=No one will want to play a beggar in a film, but I did|work=The Times of India|last1=Balachandran|first1=Logesh|access-date=24 August 2015|archive-date=25 August 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150825234657/http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/tamil/movies/news/No-one-will-want-to-play-a-beggar-in-a-film-but-I-did/articleshow/48641784.cms|url-status=live}} It became a commercial success,
with overall collections nearing 40 Crore.{{Cite web|url=http://www.sify.com/movies/pichaikkaran-review-entertaining-review-tamil-qdeqQDheahffe.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160307052218/http://www.sify.com/movies/pichaikkaran-review-entertaining-review-tamil-qdeqQDheahffe.html|url-status=dead|archive-date=2016-03-07|title=Review : Pichaikkaran review: Entertaining! (2016)|website=Sify|access-date=2019-05-09}} The Telugu dub Bichagadu was a bigger success than the original.{{Cite web |date=3 November 2016 |title=Bichagadu total box office collection: Vijay Antony's Telugu film turns bigger success than Pichaikkaran |url=https://www.ibtimes.co.in/bichagadu-total-box-office-collection-vijay-antonys-telugu-film-turns-bigger-success-pichaikkaran-702420 |access-date=19 March 2020 |website=International Business Times |archive-date=19 March 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200319060642/https://www.ibtimes.co.in/bichagadu-total-box-office-collection-vijay-antonys-telugu-film-turns-bigger-success-pichaikkaran-702420 |url-status=live }} His next was Saithan, an action thriller directed by debutant Pradeep Krishnamoorthy.{{Cite web|url=https://www.indiaglitz.com/saithan-preview-tamil-movie-20394|title = Saithan Preview}}
He appeared in the 2017 political action thriller Yaman directed by Jeeva Shankar, whom he collaborated with for the second time after Naan. The film released to positive reviews.{{Cite web|url=https://www.thenewsminute.com/flix/review-yaman-has-nothing-new-say-about-politics-fun-thriller-anyway-57743|title = Review: Yaman has nothing new to say about politics, but is a fun thriller anyway}} His next film Annadurai in the same year was an action drama which received mixed reviews.{{Cite web|url=https://www.indiaglitz.com/annadurai-review-tamil-movie-21910|title=Annadurai review. Annadurai Tamil movie review, story, rating|website=IndiaGlitz.com|access-date=27 November 2018|archive-date=27 November 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181127234250/https://www.indiaglitz.com/annadurai-review-tamil-movie-21910|url-status=live}} In 2018, he starred in Kaali, a period action film directed by Kiruthiga Udhayanidhi and Thimiru Pudichavan, an action film directed by Ganeshaa.{{Cite web|url=https://www.indiatoday.in/movies/reviews/story/kaali-movie-review-vijay-antony-kiruthiga-udhayanidhi-anjali-sunainaa-1236275-2018-05-18|title = Kaali Movie Review: Vijay Antony and Kiruthiga's thriller is interesting in parts}}{{Cite web|url=https://www.firstpost.com/entertainment/thimiru-pudichavan-first-look-vijay-antony-plays-cop-in-director-ganeshas-film-4331935.html|title = Thimiru Pudichavan first look: Vijay Antony plays cop in director Ganesha's film}} In 2019, he starred in Kolaigaran, an action thriller directed by Andrew Louis{{cite news|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/tamil/movies/news/kolaigaran-to-release-on-june-5th/articleshow/69159199.cms|title=Kolaigaran to release on June 5th|work=The Times of India|access-date=8 June 2019|archive-date=10 December 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221210184929/https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/tamil/movies/news/kolaigaran-to-release-on-june-5th/articleshow/69159199.cms|url-status=live}} and co-starring Arjun.{{Cite web|url=https://www.firstpost.com/entertainment/kolaigaran-movie-review-arjun-sarja-delivers-a-sublime-performance-in-this-gripping-whodunit-6772771.html|title=Kolaigaran movie review: Arjun Sarja delivers a sublime performance in this gripping whodunit|date=7 June 2019|website=Firstpost|access-date=15 June 2019|archive-date=21 June 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190621201556/https://www.firstpost.com/entertainment/kolaigaran-movie-review-arjun-sarja-delivers-a-sublime-performance-in-this-gripping-whodunit-6772771.html|url-status=live}} The film opened to highly positive reviews.{{Cite web|url=https://www.ibtimes.co.in/box-office-collection-kolaigaran-overpowers-bharat-impacts-ngk-business-799295|title = Box office collection: Kolaigaran overpowers Bharat, impacts NGK business}}
Antony made his directorial debut with Pichaikkaran 2 in 2023.{{Cite web|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/tamil/movies/news/vijay-antonys-pichaikkaran-2-to-release-in-summer-2023/articleshow/96389046.cms|title = Vijay Antony's 'Pichaikkaran 2' to release in Summer 2023}} Vijay Antony plays the lead role of a romantic hero in Romeo (2024).{{Cite web|url=https://www.indiaglitz.com/romeo-review-tamil-movie-34954|title = Romeo Review}}
Personal life
Antony is married to Fatima Vijay Antony, and they had two daughters, Meera and Lara. Meera, the elder daughter, committed suicide on 19 September 2023 at the age of 16 at their home in Chennai.{{cite news |title=Why Latest Picture of Vijay Antony's Daughter Meera is |url=https://www.news18.com/movies/force-behind-my-strength-vijay-antonys-wife-shares-daughter-meeras-pic-7292977.html |work=News18 |date=14 March 2023 |language=en |access-date=30 March 2023 |archive-date=30 March 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230330145642/https://www.news18.com/movies/force-behind-my-strength-vijay-antonys-wife-shares-daughter-meeras-pic-7292977.html |url-status=live }}{{Cite web |date=2023-09-19 |title=Actor Vijay Antony's daughter allegedly dies by suicide |url=https://www.hindustantimes.com/entertainment/tamil-cinema/vijay-antony-daughter-death-suicide-101695095740540.html |access-date=2023-09-19 |website=Hindustan Times |language=en |archive-date=19 September 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230919043511/https://www.hindustantimes.com/entertainment/tamil-cinema/vijay-antony-daughter-death-suicide-101695095740540.html |url-status=live }} For his films produced by Vijay Antony Film Corporation, Fatima was credited as the producer except for Romeo (2024), for which Meera was credited as the producer.{{Cite web|url=https://indianexpress.com/article/entertainment/tamil/fatima-vijay-antonys-heartbreaking-tweet-after-daughter-meeras-death-if-i-knew-you-will-live-only-for-16-years-8975233/|title=Fatima Vijay Antony’s heartbreaking tweet after daughter Meera’s death: ‘If I’d known you will live only for 16 years…’|date=9 October 2023}}{{Cite web|url=https://www.thehindu.com/entertainment/movies/romeo-trailer-vijay-antony-stars-as-a-husband-on-a-mission-to-woo-his-wife/article67993745.ece|title=‘Romeo’ trailer: Vijay Antony stars as a husband on a mission to woo his wife|date=26 March 2024|via=www.thehindu.com}}
Antony has a well-known great-grandfather, Samuel Vedanayagam Pillai, who was a Tamil poet, novelist, and social worker and is remembered for his authorship of Prathapa Mudaliar Charithram, recognized as the "first modern Tamil novel." Vedanayagam's ideals of women's liberation and education are reflected in this novel.
Filmography
=Actor=
=Editor=
| class="wikitable"
|+ !Year !Film |
| rowspan="1" |2017 |
| rowspan="1" |2018 |
| 2021 |
| 2023 |
| 2024 |
= Director =
- Pichaikkaran 2 (2023)
Discography
=Music director=
=Lyricist=
=Television=
- 2002 Chinna Papa Periya Papa (Season 1) (Credited as Agni) (Sun TV)
- 2005 Malargal (Sun TV)
- 2005 Kettimelam (Jaya TV)
- 2006 Kana Kaanum Kaalangal (Vijay TV)
- 2007 Kadhalikka Neramillai (Vijay TV)
- 2007 Megala (Sun TV)
- 2015 Chinna Papa Periya Papa (Season 2) (Sun TV)
=Judge=
| class="wikitable" |
| style="background:#ccc; text-align:center;"
! style="width:100px;"| Year ! style="width:150px;"| Title ! style="width:80px;"| Role ! style="width:80px;"| Language ! style="width:80px;"| Network(s) ! style="width:50px;"| Ref |
| 2024-present
| Judge | Tamil | {{cite web|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/tv/news/tamil/new-show-mahanadigai-set-to-premiere-on-october-5/articleshow/113659429.cms|title=New show ‘Mahanadigai' set to premiere on October 5|website=The Times of India|date=27 September 2024|language=en}} |
References
{{Reflist}}
External links
{{commons category|Vijay Antony}}
- {{Official website|www.vijayantony.com}}
- [{{AllMusic|class=artist|id=2268109|pure_url=yes}} Vijay Antony] at Allmusic
- {{IMDb name|2537099}}
{{authority control}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Antony, Vijay}}
Category:Tamil playback singers
Category:Musicians from Tamil Nadu
Category:Indian male playback singers
Category:People from Nagercoil
Category:People from Kanyakumari district
Category:Indian male film actors
Category:Male actors in Tamil cinema