Kennedy John Victor or Chiyaan Vikram as his fans call him, has endured as one of Tamil cinema’s biggest superstars since the 2000s. The actor is in his 50s now but he continues delivering hits like Mahaan and the Ponniyin Selavan franchise. If you too are a fan of the Tamil megastar’s films, we’ve got you covered with a list of the best Vikram movies to watch along with a handy guide to stream them.
Where can you stream Vikram’s best movies?
Prime Video and Sun NXT are leading platforms to watch Vikram’s best movies while some of them can also be viewed on Netflix. You can watch some of his older movies on ZEE5, Hotstar, Lionsgate Play, Aha, Eros Now, Hungama and other OTT services.
Vikram’s Career at a Glance
Vikram embarked on his acting journey with the Tamil film En Kadhal Kanmani in 1990. However, it was his breakout role in Bala's Sethu (1999) that marked the onset of his illustrious career.
Vikram's commitment to his roles is evident in his ability to transform himself for each character he portrays. Known for his willingness to undergo physical and emotional changes, he has garnered critical acclaim and a devoted fan base.
One of Vikram's most acclaimed performances came in Shankar's psychological thriller Anniyan (2005), where he portrayed three distinct characters, showcasing his remarkable range as an actor. His portrayal of a morally transient man with multiple personality disorder earned him widespread praise and further solidified his position as one of the finest actors in Indian cinema.
Vikram's versatility is evident in his diverse choice of roles spanning various genres. From action-packed thrillers like Saamy (2003) to emotionally charged dramas like Pithamagan (2003), he effortlessly embodies a wide spectrum of characters. His portrayal of an ostracised grave digger in Pithamagan earned him the National Film Award for Best Actor.
In addition to his acting prowess, Vikram is known for his inclination towards pushing the boundaries of Tamil cinema. Collaborating with visionary directors, he has explored unconventional storylines in films like I (2015) and Raavanan (2010), showcasing both his acting prowess and willingness to take risks in his craft.
The former reunited Vikram with Anniyan filmmaker Shankar with the actor playing a mild-mannered bodybuilder who gets disfigured after making multiple enemies along the way. With hauntingly realistic prosthetics and Vikram undergoing a vigorous physical training, I channeled the actor’s emotional prowess to heartbreaking levels.
Raavanan, on the other hand, united him with Tamil auteur Mani Ratnam. A dark and gritty reimagining of the Hindu epic Ramayan, Raavanan found Vikram playing a forest rebel vigilante who abducts a policeman’s wife (Aishwarya Rai) to seek revenge for his oppressed community. Interestingly, the movie’s Hindi counterpart Raavan found him playing the authoritarian policeman this time.
Ratnam later paired Rai and Vikram together for his two-part period epic Ponniyin Selavan. Based on the classic Tamil novel series of the same name, Ponniyin Selavan followed Vikram as Chola emperor Aditha Karikalan as he gets embroiled in a royal conspiracy in medieval South India. Both movies set new box-office records for the industry and continued Vikram’s ascent to stardom.
Why is Mahaan Vikram’s Best Movie to Watch?
A rousing father-son story doubling as a gangster drama, Karthik Subbaraj’s Mahaan was an effective comeback for Vikram in all senses. The actor embraced his aging persona while also balancing his timeless charm as he plays a teacher who changes his life around after leaving an oppressive system and his caring family. Years later, when his Gandhian police officer of a son (played by Vikram’s own son Dhruv Vikram) wages war against him, matters get interesting enough for a memorable viewing experience.
