Vikram

Vikram Introduction

Vikram (born John Kennedy on April 17, 1966 in Paramakudi, Tamil Nadu, India) is a Tamil film actor who has been a prominent figure in Indian cinema, as well as a playback singer and as a dubbing artist.

Vikram began his career appearing in series of unsuccessful small budget films throughout the early 1990s. He made his film debut in En Kadhal Kanmani (1990). Following the failure of his early films, Vikram appeared as a dubbing artiste to prominent actors, whilst trying to find a breakthrough in terms of his acting career. After the critical and commercial success of Sethu (1999) he has been part of numerous other commercially successful films and has earned major critical acclaim for many of his performances. During his years in the Indian film industry, he has won three Filmfare Awards, as well as securing India's most prestigious film award, by achieving the National Film Award for Best Actor.

While some of Vikram's best-known films, Dhill (2001), Dhool (2002), Gemini (2002) and Saamy (2003), remain some of Tamil cinema's biggest hits, performances in films like Sethu (1999), Kasi (2002), Pithamagan (2003) and Anniyan (2005) have won him critical acclaims and awards, making Vikram one of the most successful actors of Tamil cinema.

Personal Life


Vikram was born on April 17, 1966 in Paramakudi, a town in Ramanathapuram district. Vikram did his schooling in a boarding school named Montfort School in Yercaud. The school presented him with ample opportunities for extra curricular activities such as karate, dance and swimming. Right from the time, he was in school his one and only aim was to become an actor. His parents however wanted him to do his graduation after finishing his final high school year. Thus, he completed his graduation in English from Loyola College, Chennai after which he also completed his MBA degree. He then got an offer to act in a Tamil film titled, Meera.

Vikram's father is also a supporting actor, acting in many films. He is known for his role in Ghilli as the father of the film's lead actress, played by Trisha Krishnan. Vikram and his father have not appeared together in a film yet.

Acting Career

Vikram debuted in the film Meera in 1990. Following its release, the film did not run well in the box office. Vikram still accepted subsequent offers he received and saw his first hit film, Sethu in 1999.

Sethu, which was released in 1999, was Vikram's first blockbuster though he made his debut almost a decade earlier. The film grossed over Rs.50 million at the box office. Vikram's second blockbuster Dhill came in 2001. The film grossed over Rs.100 million at the box office. Vikram's next blockbuster Gemini came the very next year in 2002. It grossed over Rs.200 million at the box office. Dhool and Saamy both came in 2003 and yet were top grossing films of the year. Also in 2003 was the critically acclaimed Pithamagan which earned him the National Film Award for Best Actor. His successful performance prompted S. Shankar to cast him for his high budgeted Anniyan. Anniyan was also another top-grossing film released in 2005 for which he received a Filmfare Best Tamil Actor Award. Along with Telugu as for all his films, the film was also dubbed in French and Hindi, which made his Bollywood debut.




Vikram later appeared in Majaa which was a comedy flick but did not do well at the box office. Three years later, in 2008, his film Bheema released, also receiving critical acclaim. He is currently working in the film Kandaswamy which is being directed by Susi Ganesan and has been under production for nearly two years. He will also be casted in Mani Rathnam's next Tamil film tentatively titled Ashokavanam. Vikram is married to Shylaja, a Keralite.