Thalapathy Vijay Turns 51
On his 51st birthday, Vijay received numerous tributes from fans and colleagues, celebrating his impact in Tamil cinema.
On June 22, 2025, Tamil cinema’s iconic superstar Thalapathy Vijay celebrated his 51st birthday, sparking a wave of heartfelt tributes from fans, colleagues, and industry stalwarts. The occasion was doubly special with the midnight release of the electrifying teaser for Vijay’s final film, Jana Nayagan: The First Roar, unveiling his fierce cop avatar. As Vijay prepares to transition into full-time politics with his party Tamizhaga Vetri Kazhagam (TVK), his birthday became a celebration of his cinematic legacy and enduring influence. From Dulquer Salmaan to Atlee, here’s how the film fraternity honored the Jana Nayagan star, alongside the buzz surrounding his last big-screen outing.
Film Fraternity’s Heartfelt Tributes
Thalapathy Vijay’s birthday has always been a festival for his fans, marked by social media trends, fan-organized events, and charity drives. This year, the film industry joined the celebration with an outpouring of love, reaffirming Vijay’s status as a beloved icon.
- Dulquer Salmaan, the Malayalam heartthrob, shared a warm post on X with a photo alongside Vijay, writing, “Wishing Thalapathy Vijay Sir a very happy birthday! (sic).” The post resonated with fans of both stars, highlighting their mutual respect.
- Atlee, the director behind Vijay’s blockbusters Mersal, Bigil, and Master, posted a nostalgic video of fans celebrating Vijay’s films in theaters. His caption read, “Happy birthday @actorvijay anna. Ennoda annae. Ennoda Thalapathy (sic),” striking an emotional chord with fans who cherish their collaborations.
- Vignesh Shivan, filmmaker and Nayanthara’s husband, penned a heartfelt Instagram note: “Happy birthday dearest @actorvijay sir. It’s not easy to earn so much love from everyone around! Be the blessed human you are! And your intention to choose ways for giving back the love to your fellow humans, may all the hardwork & efforts become a huge blockbuster. Grand wishes for JanaNayagan & more to come in the future. Godbless (sic).” His words celebrated Vijay’s cinematic and political journey, earning widespread appreciation.
- Thaman S, the celebrated composer, joined the chorus on X, posting, “Wishing Our #JanaNayagan #ThalapathyVijay Anna. A very happy Birthday @actorvijay (sic).” Fans amplified the post, reflecting Vijay’s deep ties to the music world.
- Priyanka Mohan, known for Saripodhaa Sanivaram, shared a charming photo with Vijay on X, writing, “Happiest birthday to our dear thalapathy @actorvijay sir (sic).” Her post added a personal touch to the celebrations.
Other industry figures, including Nelson Dilipkumar (director of Beast), Lokesh Kanagaraj (Leo), and Santhosh Narayanan, also extended wishes via social media, with fans flooding platforms like X and Instagram with hashtags like #HBDThalapathyVijay and #JanaNayagan.
Jana Nayagan: The First Roar Teaser Steals the Spotlight
The highlight of Vijay’s 51st birthday was the midnight release of the Jana Nayagan teaser, titled The First Roar, shared by music composer Anirudh Ravichander on June 22, 2025. The 65-second clip, dropped by KVN Productions, became an instant sensation, garnering 1 million+ views in 15 minutes on YouTube and trending globally on X.
The teaser opens with the powerful line, “A true leader rises not for power, but for people,” setting the tone for Vijay’s role as a fearless police officer driven by justice. Clad in a police uniform with dark sunglasses, Vijay wields a katana as he strides through a fiery battlefield, his fist bloodied and swagger intact. The clip ends with an inspiring call: “Let’s rise together.” Anirudh’s pulsating background score amplified the intensity, with fans on X raving, “Thalapathy Vijay + Anirudh = Goosebumps Guaranteed.”
Directed by H. Vinoth, Jana Nayagan is Vijay’s 69th and final film before he focuses on politics with TVK, set to contest the 2026 Tamil Nadu Assembly elections. The teaser’s political undertones and Vijay’s commanding presence have sparked comparisons to his iconic roles in Theri and Mersal, with fans calling it “the perfect cinematic farewell.”
Watch the teaser here: YouTube Link
Social Media Erupts with Fan Love
Vijay’s birthday and the Jana Nayagan teaser triggered a social media frenzy. KVN Productions’ X post celebrated the teaser’s viral impact, noting “1M+ realtime roars in 15 mins.” Fans flooded platforms with reactions:
- “His walk. His eyes. That SMIRK. Every frame screams ‘I’M BACK’.”
- “G of K-Town. HBD Thalapathy Vijay.”
- “One Last Roar…..!! Thalaivaaaa.”
- “Thalapathy Look = Leo + Mersal.”
The hashtag #HBDThalapathyVijay trended worldwide, with fans sharing montages of Vijay’s career highlights, from Ghilli to Leo. Many expressed bittersweet emotions, with one X user writing, “The last movie, Thalapathy, miss you,” reflecting the sentiment of Vijay’s impending exit from cinema.
Jana Nayagan: Cast, Crew, and Expectations
Jana Nayagan is a political action thriller with a ₹300 crore budget, featuring a stellar ensemble:
- Thalapathy Vijay as the lead, reportedly earning ₹275 crore.
- Pooja Hegde as the female lead, reuniting with Vijay after Beast (2022).
- Bobby Deol as the antagonist, marking his second Tamil film after Kanguva.
- Supporting cast includes Gautham Vasudev Menon, Prakash Raj, Priyamani, Shruti Haasan (rumored cameo), Narain, Mamitha Baiju, Monisha Blessy, Varalaxmi Sarathkumar, and Revathy.
The film boasts top-tier talent: H. Vinoth (director), Anirudh Ravichander (music), Sathyan Sooryan (cinematography), Pradeep E. Ragav (editing), and Anal Arasu (action). Set for a Pongal 2026 release (January 9), it will hit screens in Tamil, Telugu, Hindi, Kannada, and Malayalam, with a massive North India rollout and a record-breaking OTT deal.
Vijay’s Political Journey
Vijay’s birthday celebrations carried added weight as Jana Nayagan marks his final film before entering politics full-time. In February 2024, he launched TVK, criticizing Tamil Nadu’s “administrative deterioration” and corruption. The film’s narrative, centered on a people’s leader, mirrors Vijay’s real-life mission, making it a poignant farewell. Fans on X praised his dual legacy, with one writing, “From Thalapathy to Jana Nayagan to TVK leader, Vijay’s journey is iconic.”
A Legacy Celebrated
Vijay’s 51st birthday was a testament to his unparalleled stardom and influence. With 33 years in cinema, over ₹7500 crore in global box office collections, and hits like Ghilli, Thuppakki, and Leo, Vijay remains Tamil cinema’s box office king. The Jana Nayagan teaser and industry tributes from stars like Dulquer, Atlee, and Vignesh Shivan underscored his legacy as both a screen icon and a man of the people.
As fans await Jana Nayagan’s first single in February 2026 and its Pongal release, Vijay’s final cinematic roar promises to be unforgettable. Happy Birthday, Thalapathy!
Note: Fan reactions and teaser viewership data are based on X posts and early estimates as of June 22, 2025, 07:57 PM IST.
