From ‘Thuppakki’ to ‘Leo’: The Vijay blockbusters fans still celebrate

For millions of fans, Vijay's films are tied to memories. Ask a Vijay fan to name their favourite film and chances are you'll get a different answer every time. Some swear by ‘Thuppakki’, others return to ‘Theri’, while many still can't get enough of ‘Leo’.

While the numbers tell one story, fans often remember these movies for entirely different reasons. A whistle-worthy entry scene. A packed first-day-first-show with friends. A dialogue like “I’m waiting” that still gets quoted years later.

As Vijay celebrates his birthday, here's a look at some of the blockbuster films that continue to live rent-free in fans' minds long after leaving theatres.

Thuppakki (2012)

Before the era of ₹500-crore blockbusters, there was ‘Thuppakki’. Directed by AR Murugadoss, the action thriller became Vijay's first film to cross the ₹100-crore mark worldwide and is still widely regarded as a turning point in his career.

"When it came out, it felt really fresh. It wasn't a usual Tamil movie. Vijay's character used his brain more than his fists, every scene felt like it was there for a reason, and the mix of action, comedy, romance and suspense worked so well together. It became the kind of film that a lot of movies later tried to recreate.” said Eren, Data Analyst from Chennai.

“The things that feel familiar today are exactly what made Thuppakki stand out back then. That's probably why fans still keep going back to it. It never gets boring," he added.

With Vijay playing an army officer taking on a terrorist network, the film delivered a gripping story, memorable action sequences and one of the actor's most stylish performances. Even today, more than a decade later, Thuppakki regularly finds its way into conversations about Vijay's best films.

"And of course, it had everything else too. Banger songs, an unforgettable background score, and some seriously good action scenes. The kidnapping fight, especially, is still one of the best moments in the film. Even if you've seen it a hundred times, you still end up watching that scene till the end," Eren added.

Theri (2016)

Not every blockbuster is remembered only for its action. Theri proved that audiences also connect deeply with emotion.

Directed by Atlee, the film followed a former police officer trying to protect his daughter while confronting ghosts from his past. While the action scenes worked well with audiences, it was the father-daughter relationship that truly struck a chord.

"Theri is endlessly rewatchable because, on the surface, it feels like a fun story about a single father and his adorable daughter. You enjoy their bond, laugh at their little moments, and just have a good time watching them together," said Sasha, a professional dancer from Bengaluru.

"But then the flashback unfolds and hits you right in the heart. Suddenly, all those happy moments carry so much more meaning. Every rewatch makes the emotions hit harder because you know the pain and loss hiding behind Vijay's smile. I cried the first time I watched it, and honestly, it still gets me. That's probably why so many people connect with Theri. Beneath all the action and entertainment, it's really a story about love, loss, family and doing everything you can for the people you care about. There's a little bit of that in all of us," she added.

Mersal (2017)

When ‘Mersal’ arrived in theatres, it felt like a complete festival package. Action, comedy, songs, emotion and Vijay in not one but three roles.

The Atlee-directed blockbuster became one of the biggest Tamil films of its time and further strengthened Vijay's standing as a box office powerhouse.

"Even though everyone knows it's a triple-role film by now, the reveals still feel magical every time. Watching Vijay as Vetri Maaran in that rural get-up was such a treat, and the Sangili Karuppu festival flashback, especially the fire accident sequence, still gives me goosebumps no matter how many times I watch it.

The film had everything. Great songs, strong emotions, mass moments, and a social message about healthcare that got people talking long after they left the theatre. It even sparked political debates and controversy when it was released, which shows just how much of an impact it had," said Aryan a Software Engineer from Coimbatore.

“For me, Mersal isn't just a movie. It feels like a festival. Somehow, every rewatch makes it feel bigger and more exciting. And then there's Aalaporan Tamizhan. That song became a cult phenomenon on its own. The moment it starts playing, it doesn't feel like just another film song. It feels like a celebration. No matter how many times I hear it, it still hits the same way," he added.

Bigil (2019)

A sports drama might not seem like the obvious recipe for a blockbuster, but Bigil proved otherwise.

Playing a former footballer turned coach, Vijay led a story centred around women's football, ambition and second chances. The film balanced sports action with family emotions and became the highest-grossing Tamil film of 2019.

For many viewers, Bigil remains one of Vijay's most uplifting and feel-good films.

Master (2021)

Few casting announcements created as much excitement as Vijay facing off against Vijay Sethupathi.

Released when theatres were still recovering from the pandemic, ‘Master’ became a major success and reminded everyone of the power of the theatrical experience.

The clash between JD and Bhavani quickly became one of the most celebrated hero-versus-villain showdowns in recent Tamil cinema.

"That movie was built for the FDFS experience. From the JD intro to Vaathi Coming, the theatre just went crazy. Papers flying, whistles, screaming, celebrations... everything. And whenever Vijay and Vijay Sethupathi shared the screen, it felt like a proper face-off," said Shravan a product designer from chennai.

"Master wasn't just a movie, it was an experience that only FDFS fans can truly understand. Especially after the Covid period, watching it in a packed theatre felt even more special," he added.

The film remains a favourite among younger fans who grew up watching Vijay's later-career blockbusters.

Beast (2022)

‘Beast’ divided opinions, but one thing was never in doubt: audiences turned up in huge numbers.

The hostage thriller featured Vijay as a former intelligence officer trapped inside a mall under siege. Add chartbuster songs, stylish action and plenty of mass moments, and the film became one of the biggest Tamil releases of the year.

Sometimes a film's biggest strength is simply how much fun it is to watch with a crowd, and Beast delivered that experience.

Leo (2023)

If there was one Vijay film that became an event before its release, it was ‘Leo’.

The collaboration with Lokesh Kanagaraj generated enormous hype, and the film went on to become one of Vijay's biggest box office successes. Packed with action, mystery and larger-than-life moments, it kept audiences talking for weeks.

“That café fight alone was worth the ticket. Seeing Vijay in a completely different shade, the flashbacks, Anirudh's score, and all the theories surrounding the LCU and the Kaithi reference kept everyone hooked,” said Midhuna a writer from Kochi.

"Even if people debate the second half, the highs in Leo are pure theatre moments. And for me, that's where you really got to see the 'actor' Vijay. The rage, the intensity, the emotion... he brought a completely different energy to the role. Those moments still hit hard every time you watch them," she added.

For a generation of younger fans, Leo is likely to be remembered the way earlier generations remember ‘Thuppakki’.

Varisu (2023)

At a time when action films dominated the box office, ‘Varisu’ went in a different direction.

The family drama centred on relationships, responsibility and family conflicts. Released during the festive Pongal season, it found a strong connection with family audiences and became one of the biggest Tamil hits of 2023. It reminded audiences that Vijay's appeal extends far beyond action and mass moments.

GOAT (2024)

One of Vijay's final films before his political transition carried huge expectations, and GOAT delivered a major box office run.

The film combined action, nostalgia and fan service while giving audiences multiple versions of Vijay on screen.

"GOAT is pure fan service, and that's exactly why it's fun. Double Vijay, Yuvan's songs, references everywhere, and seeing Thalapathy clearly having a great time on screen made it feel like a celebration for fans,” said Raihan a content creator from Kozhikode. 

“You don't go into GOAT expecting realism or a deeply serious film. You go to whistle, laugh, cheer, catch all the references, and enjoy watching your hero have fun one more time. Sometimes, that's all a fan wants from a movie, and GOAT delivers that experience," he added.

More than just box office numbers

The success of these films can be measured in crores, records and milestones. But for fans, the memories are often much simpler.

The excitement of booking tickets for a first-day-first-show. The cheers that erupted during a hero entry. The songs that became part of everyday life.