Vijay Antony Wiki, Age, Wife, Family, Biography & More

Vijay Antony is an Indian music composer, lyricist, playback singer, film editor, audio engineer, and actor. He works predominantly in the Tamil film industry. His song Naaka Mukka was played during the Cricket World Cup in 2011.

Wiki/Biography

Vijay Antony was born as Frances Antony Cyril Raja, on Thursday, 24 July 1975 (age 48 years; as of 2023) in Nagercoil, Kanyakumari District, Tamil Nadu. His zodiac sign is Leo. He attended the Campion Anglo-Indian Higher Secondary School, Tiruchirappalli. He also has a science degree from St. Xavier’s College, Trichy. Further, he has done a Visual Communication Course from Loyola College, Nagercoil, Tamil Nadu. He also did a correspondence course at Trinity College London. After he graduated from Loyola College, he set up a studio named ‘Audiophiles’, where he started his sound engineering career.

Physical Appearance

Height (approx.): 5′ 9″

Weight (approx.): 70kg

Hair Colour: Black

Eye Colour: Black

Family

Vijay Antony was born into a Christian family in Kanyakumari. Vijay lived in Trichy until he was ten years old, after which he and his mother moved to Tirunelveli, where they spent ten years until they finally moved to Chennai.

Parents & Siblings

Vijay’s father passed away when he was 7 years old and was raised by his mother who got a government job to support the two. Vijay’s mother was a clerk in a Town Planning Office. Vijay Antony states that his mother earned a meagre salary that was enough to cover the basics and that they had hardships as he grew up. ^[1]BEHINDWOODS.COM

Wife & Children

Vijay is married to Fathima Vijay Antony who is a producer. They got married in 2006 and were later blessed with two daughters, Meera Vijay Antony, and Laara Vijay Antony. On 19 September 2023, Meera committed suicide by hanging herself at her residence in Chennai; she was rushed to the nearest hospital; however, doctors at the hospital declared her dead. ^[2]The Times of India Vijay credits his success to his wife’s support and management. She produces Vijay’s films through the Vijay Antony Film Corporation. They live in Chennai.

Other Relatives

His great-grandfather, Samuel Vedanayagam Pillai, was a well-known social worker. He was also famous for his novels and poems and is the author of what is deemed to be the first modern Tamil novel, Prathapa Mudaliar Charithram.

Religion

Vijay Antony follows Christianity.

Career

Film

Vijay Antony made his acting debut with the movie Kizhakku Kadalkarai Salai (2006). His first lead role was in the movie Naan (2012) after which he acted in its sequel Salim (2014).

He also won the hearts of the audience in the movie Pichaikkaran (2016) in which he played the role of Arul Selva Kumar. He has acted in films such as Saithan (2016), Yaman (2017), Kaali (2018), Kodiyil Oruvan (2021), and Pichaikkaran 2 (2023), which was his directorial debut. Vijay Antony has several projects lined up such as Kolai whose first looks have been released.

Television

Vijay had a role in Season 1 of the television show Chinna Papa Periya Papa (2002) when he went by the name Agni. He has also acted in Malargal (2005), Kana Kaanum Kaalangal (2006), Megala (2007), and Season 2 of Chinna Papa Periya Papa (2015).

Music

Director

Vijay’s career as a music director started in 2005 with the movie Sukran in which he sang a song as well. Over the years he has been the music director of numerous films, most in Tamil, but a few in Kannada and Telugu. Films whose music has brought him acclaim are Kadhalil Vizhunthen (2008), Vettaikaaran (2009), Naan (2012), Saithan (2016), Annadurai (2017), Thimiru Pudichavan (2018), and Pichaikkaran 2 (2023).

Singer

His career as a singer and music director began with the film Sukran (2005) in which he sang the song Saathikadi. He has sung other well-loved songs like Dailamo Dailamo (2006), Chillax (2013), Karigalan (2013), Nooru Samigal (2016), Aathichudi (2019), and Kollathey Kollathey (2019). The song that brought him the most success was Naaka Mukka (2008) from the film Kadhalil Vizhunthen. This song won him critical acclaim and earned him a Cannes Golden Lion Award, making him the first Indian to do so.

Controversies

The controversy surrounding the film Saithan (2016)

While Vijay Antony’s personal life has been controversy-free, his movie Saithan (2016), faced some backlash from religious groups. Upon the release of the teaser for Saithan, which was received well on most fronts, certain Hindu religious groups were offended by the background music used for the teaser. They stated that it sounded like Sanskrit chants and demanded action to be taken. Vijay Antony listened to their concerns and removed the music and took down that version of the teaser. While giving an interview, he talked about it and said, ^[3]Deccan Chronicle

I heard that a few lines in the teaser of Saithan, which were written by the late lyricist Annamalai, sounded like Sanskrit verses and has hurt a few individuals. Heeding to their request, I have decided to withdraw those lines immediately. As a result of this, you will not find the teaser of Saithan on my Facebook, YouTube or Twitter page.”

Vijay Antony in the poster of the film Saithan whose teaser music offended religious groups

Awards, Honours, Achievements

• Vijay Antony received the Cannes Golden Lion Award, in 2009, under the category ‘Best of Music’ for his song Naaka Mukka.

Car Collection

Vijay Antony’s car collection includes a BMW 730Ld, a Kia Carnival and an Audi Q3.

Favourites

• Food: South Indian Food (particularly Chettinad cuisine) ^[4]The Hindu

• Lyricist: Vairamuthu

• Song: ‘Tholvi Nilayena Ninaithal’ from Oomai Vizhigal

Facts/Trivia

• When Frances Antony Cyril Raja entered the Tamil film industry, he took on the name Agni. However, actor, producer, and director S.A. Chandrasekhar believed that the name ‘Agni’ was not “lucky” and suggested he use his son’s name, Vijay (one of the most popular actors in the Tamil film industry), and hence the name Vijay Antony was born.

• Vijay Antony is lovingly referred to as Music Star and Unique Star by his fans.

• Vijay Antony got into a boat accident while shooting for his movie Pichaikkaran 2. The accident occurred while shooting a romantic song. His jet ski hit that of his cinematographer and assistant. He was injured in the face and fell unconscious into the sea. He was saved by his co-stars Kavya Thapar and Arjun, a camera assistant. ^[5]The New Indian Express