Did You Know Chiyaan Vikram's Father Worked In Many Serials Before His Film Debut?

Chiyaan Vikram’s father, actor Vinod Raj, wasn’t widely recognised for his acting career, mostly playing smaller roles in both movies and TV shows. His notable appearances include playing Trisha’s father in the film Ghilli (2004) and acting alongside his son in Susi Ganesan’s Kanthaswamy (2009).

Vinod Raj, originally named John Albert Victor and hailing from Paramakudi, ventured into the film industry after leaving home. He tied the knot with Rajeshwari, whose brother, Thyagarajan, was a prominent figure in Tamil cinema. Their son, Vikram, initially struggled but rose to fame after Sethu’s (1999) success. Vikram adopted his screen name from elements of his family’s names and his zodiac sign. His son, Dhruv, follows in his footsteps as an actor, marking the third generation in the family. Vinod’s younger son, Arvind, resides in Dubai, while his daughter Anitha pursued a career in teaching.

Vinod Raj passed away on December 31, 2017, after suffering a heart attack at his residence in Mahalingapuram, Chennai. He was laid to rest at Kilpauk cemetery.

In an interview, Vikram reflected on his journey, discussing both his father and his career. When asked about facing challenges in the industry despite his father being an actor, Vikram shared that his father had a tough time breaking into the industry. Vikram recounted how his father would wait outside studios like Ave Maria but struggled to find opportunities within.

Vikram also shared that his father, despite his difficulties, had moments where his appearance garnered attention, sometimes even leading to being singled out by film heroes. However, despite these experiences, his father faced persistent struggles and ultimately didn’t achieve success in the industry. Vikram speculated on a possible genetic inclination towards acting, as both he and his son share the same passion for it. While his father didn’t explicitly push him into acting, Vikram felt a personal drive to succeed, partly motivated by his father’s experiences. Yet, he acknowledged that finding his path in the industry was still a challenging journey.