Personal Details

• 🎂 Date of Birth
• 29 August 1977
• 📍 Place of Birth
• Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India
• 👨‍👩‍👧 Family
• Father: G. K. Reddy
• Mother: Janaki Devi
• Siblings: Vikram Krishna
• Relatives: Sriya Reddy (Sister-in-law)

Early Career

• 👶 Early Life
• Vishal Krishna Reddy was born into a Telugu-speaking family in Chennai, Tamil Nadu. His father, G. K. Reddy, and mother, Janaki Devi, are businesspeople and film producers who have worked in both Telugu and Tamil cinema. The family originally hails from Nellore, Andhra Pradesh.
• 🎓 Education
• Vishal completed his schooling at Don Bosco Matriculation Higher Secondary School in Chennai. He later graduated with a degree in Visual Communications from Loyola College, Chennai.
• ⚔️ Initial Challenges and Hurdles
• Breaking into the film industry was not without its challenges. One of the primary obstacles was navigating the competitive landscape and proving his capabilities. He faced the need to work long hours, often under pressure, to gain the trust and respect of senior crew members. Overcoming these initial hurdles required perseverance, a strong work ethic, and a willingness to learn from every experience.

Career Journey

• Vishal Reddy is a prominent Indian actor and producer primarily known for his work in Tamil cinema, who has significantly impacted the industry through his action-oriented roles and commitment to social causes.
• 🧒 Early Appearance
• Vishal made his first on-screen appearance as a child artist in Jadikketha Moodi (1989), where he performed as a dancer in the song “Meesavatcha Ambalaikkelam.”
• 🎬 Lead Roles (2004–2011)
• Vishal made his lead acting debut in Chellamae (2004) playing the role of Raghunandan. He then starred in Sandakozhi (2005) as Balu, which established him as a promising action hero. In 2006, he appeared as himself in a cameo in Dishyum and went on to play Ganesh in Thimiru, gaining praise for his intense performance. Later that year, he acted in Sivappathigaram as Sathyamoorthy.
• In 2007, Vishal played Bharani Puthiran in the family action drama Thaamirabharani and Anbu in the comedy entertainer Malaikottai, marking his first full-length comic role. In 2008, he portrayed ACP Sathyam in Sathyam, which did not perform well at the box office. His roles in Thoranai (2009) as Murugan and Theeradha Vilaiyattu Pillai (2010) as Karthik were average grossers. In 2011, he starred in Bala’s dark comedy Avan Ivan as Walter Vanangamudi, earning critical acclaim, and later played ASP Prabhakaran/Balu in Vedi.
• 🎬 Lead Roles & Production (2013–Present)
• In 2013, Vishal played Shakthi in Samar, followed by a cameo as himself in Theeya Velai Seiyyanum Kumaru. He then starred in Pattathu Yaanai as Saravanan and produced his debut film Pandiya Naadu, playing the lead role of Sivakumar. In 2014, he acted in Naan Sigappu Manithan as Indhiran, a character with narcolepsy, and appeared in Poojai as Vasu Devan, which he also produced.
• In 2015, Vishal starred in Aambala as Saravanan and Paayum Puli as ACP Jayaseelan. He continued his production journey with films like Kathakali (2016) as Amudhavel, Thupparivaalan (2017) as Kaniyan Poongundran, and Irumbu Thirai (2018) as Major R. Kathiravan. He also appeared in Sandakozhi 2 (2018) as Balu, marking his 25th film.
• Vishal made his television debut as the host of Sun Naam Oruvar (2018–2019). He later starred in Action (2019) as Colonel Subhash, Chakra (2021) as Major Chandru, Enemy (2021) as Chozhan, Veeramae Vaagai Soodum (2022) as Purushothaman, and Laththi (2022) as Muruganantham. His film Mark Antony (2023), in which he played dual roles, became his highest-grossing film worldwide. In 2024, he appeared in Rathnam as Rathnam, and finally, after a 12-year delay, Madha Gaja Raja (2025) was released with Vishal in the lead role of Raja.
• 🏛️ Political Career
• Vishal began his political journey within the film industry by actively participating in the Nadigar Sangam. In October 2015, he was elected as the General Secretary of the Nadigar Sangam after leading a movement against the previous committee.
• Following this, Vishal had conflicts with the Tamil Film Producers' Council (TFPC) and was expelled for remarks he made against the council. Despite this, he later contested and won the presidency of the Tamil Film Producers Council in April 2017, demonstrating his influence in the Tamil film industry.
• In 2017, Vishal attempted to enter formal politics by filing his nomination as an independent candidate for the Radhakrishnan Nagar by-poll in Chennai, which became vacant after the death of former Chief Minister Jayalalithaa. However, his nomination was rejected, preventing him from contesting the election.
• Vishal continues to be an active advocate within the industry, especially campaigning against online piracy and promoting the rights of film producers and actors.
• 🎬 Filmography
• Vishal started as a child artist in Jadikketha Moodi (1989) and made his lead debut in Chellamae (2004). He gained fame with films like Sandakozhi (2005), Thimiru (2006), Thaamirabharani (2007), and Malaikottai (2007). Notable roles followed in Satyam (2008), Thoranai (2009), Theeradha Vilaiyattu Pillai (2010), Avan Ivan (2011), and Vedi (2011).
• From 2013, Vishal starred in Samar, Pattathu Yaanai, Pandiya Naadu (also producer), Naan Sigappu Manithan, Poojai (also producer), Aambala, Paayum Puli, Kathakali (also producer), Thupparivaalan (also producer), Irumbu Thirai (also producer), Sandakozhi 2, Ayogya, Action, Chakra (also producer), Enemy, Veeramae Vaagai Soodum (also producer), Laththi, Mark Antony, Rathnam, and Madha Gaja Raja (also distributor).
• Upcoming projects include Magudam† and Thupparivaalan 2† (reprising Kaniyan Poongundran and directing).
• 📺 Television
• Vishal made his television debut as the host of Sun Naam Oruvar (2018–2019) on Sun TV.
• 🎵 Discography
• Vishal has also sung in films. In 2013, he sang "My Dear Loveru" for Madha Gaja Raja, and in 2023, he performed the Telugu version song "Adharadha" for Mark Antony (D).

Achievements and Milestones

• Kalaimamani – Contributions to Tamil cinema (2006)
• Norway Tamil Film Festival Awards – Special Jury Award for Avan Ivan (2011)
• SIIMA Best Debutant Producer – for Pandiya Naadu (2014)