In the early 2000s, Vijay transitioned from a romantic hero to a "mass" action star, a persona that defines much of his work today.

Even the biggest stars face slumps, and Vijay was no exception. The period between 2012 and 2014 was marred by critical failures and commercial disappointments such as Nanban (though a commercial success, it was a multi-starrer remake), Thalaivaa , Jilla , and Puli . Critics began to write him off, stating that the actor was trapped in a repetitive formula.

(1999): Established his reputation as a romantic hero and expanded his market to Kerala.

With Priyamudan and Friends , he transitioned into a star who could handle fight sequences and punch dialogues. Thirumalai (2003) was the turning point where the "mass hero" template was born.

Vijay’s filmography can be categorized into distinct eras that reflect his growth from a romantic hero to a "mass" superstar and, eventually, a socially conscious performer. The Romantic Era: Building a Foundation (1990s) Vijay's lead debut came in 1992 with Naalaiya Theerpu

Vijay’s introduction to cinema was inevitable, being the son of acclaimed director S.A. Chandrasekhar. However, his entry was not handed to him on a silver platter. His debut as a child artist in Naalaiya Theerpu (1992) marked the beginning of a humble journey. In these early years, Vijay was a shy, lanky youngster trying to find his footing.

Starting with Kaththi (rotten food vs. water crisis), Vijay began weaving social issues into mass stories. Mersal took on medical fraud; Bigil championed women’s football; Sarkar critiqued vote-jamming. This resonated deeply with his core fan base.