Happy birthday Chiyaan Vikram: Do you know what his real name is?

Vikram, who is known for his spontaneous performances, body transformations, and selection of difficult roles, has made a distinct fame over the years.

Tamil actor Chiyaan Vikram turns a year older today and his fans are celebrating the big day in the biggest possible way. Chiyaan’s original name is Kennedy John Victor. He is popularly known by his stage name Chiyaan Vikram, is an actor, playback singer and producer, prominently known for his work in Tamil cinema.

Vikram, who is known for his spontaneous performances, body transformations, and selection of difficult roles, has made a distinct fame over the years. He’s been doing that for over three decades, and he’s still out here blowing minds and winning the praise of both critics and the public.

Vikram got his start in the early 1990s with minor appearances in Tamil, Telugu and Malayalam movies. But his breakthrough film also came in 1999 with Bala’s Sethu. His metamorphosis for the part — both phys­ically and emotionally — earned him rave reviews and created

Vikram's name had become attached to the title Chiyaan after his character in their film Saamy where he portrayed a serious no-nonsense police officer named Aarusaamy back in 2003. He was called 'Chiyaan Vikram' and that name stayed ever since, the character was so iconic.

Director: Bala

Why To Watch: A tragic tale of love that saw Vikram lose a lot of weight and impersonate a man with serious mental problems. It’s the movie that changed his career.

Director: Bala

Why Watch: Vikram was burdened with tough ago, this time he played a grave-digger who couldn’t speak regularly. He won the National Film Award for Best Actor for his wordless, haunting passage.

Director: Shankar

Why Watch: A psychological thriller where Vikram plays a man with multiple personality disorder. From a meek lawyer to a violent vigilante, his layered performance was widely praised.

Director: Mani Ratnam

Why Watch: A Tamil adaptation of the Ramayana from the villain’s perspective. Vikram portrayed Veera, a complex anti-hero with emotion and raw power.

Director: A. L. Vijay

Why Watch: Vikram’s performance as a mentally challenged father in a custody battle was heart-wrenching. It earned him comparisons to the critically acclaimed and emotionally charged film, I Am Sam.

Director: Shankar

Why Watch: Vikram underwent an astonishing transformation from a bodybuilder to a model with facial scars. The film had grand visuals, and Vikram's devotion to the character was jaw-dropping.

Also read: Only Malayalam and Marathi industries are delivering true content in Indian cinema, says director Mahesh Manjrekar

Director: Karthik Subbaraj

Why Watch: A gangster-drama where Vikram stars alongside his real-life son Dhruv Vikram. The film touches on concepts of identity, freedom, rebellion, and family relationships.