Meet family where films, swimming medals, and cricket caps go hand in hand, the legacy of Thalaivasal Vijay

It all started with Thalaivasal in 1992. From there, Vijay became a staple in films like Thevar Magan, Mahanadhi, and the evergreen Kadhal Kottai — especially the iconic "Vyyathe Sakothara" song, where his dance became the talk of the town.

Written by: Shiwani

Published: August 5, 2025, 9:44 PM IST

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https://www.india.com/entertainment/meet-family-where-films-swimming-medals-and-cricket-caps-go-hand-in-hand-the-legacy-of-thalaivasal-vijay-7993530/ Copy

Not every actor fades after the credits roll. Some quietly build empires off-screen. ‘Thalaivasal’ Vijay, a familiar face from Tamil cinema’s golden ‘90s, is one such name. Known for his deeply rooted performances, he’s the kind of actor who might not grab the poster space but ends up staying in memory longer than the leads.

It all started with Thalaivasal in 1992. From there, Vijay became a staple in films like Thevar Magan, Mahanadhi, and the evergreen Kadhal Kottai — especially the iconic “Vyyathe Sakothara” song, where his dance became the talk of the town. With over 200 films under his belt across Tamil, Telugu, Malayalam, and Hindi, Vijay became the master of meaningful roles,  the friend, the father, the silent game-changer.

Who is his daughter, and why is she in the news?

While Vijay made a name through cinema, his daughter Jayaveena chose the pool. A record-breaking swimmer, she clinched a medal at the South Asian Swimming Championships in Nepal and was once crowned “India’s Fastest Swimmer.” She has represented the country multiple times and made Tamil Nadu proud.

And what about the son-in-law?

The athletic streak runs strong in this family. Jayaveena is married to Baba Aparajith, Tamil Nadu’s cricket star and a former IPL player. He played a crucial part in India’s victorious Under-19 World Cup campaign in 2012. The couple, both rooted in sport, tied the knot a few years ago and continue to thrive in their respective fields.

Does Vijay still follow sports?

Absolutely. Known to be a sports enthusiast since childhood, Vijay still loves tuning into sports channels at home. With a swimmer daughter and a cricketer son-in-law, his evenings are probably full of highlight reels and proud smiles.