Ilayathalapathy Vijay is easily the most successful Kollywood star today and crores of Tamils peaking youngsters have taken him as an inspiration for his life. As a multi-talented actor with 59 films and 25 awards in a career spanning 24 years, this unassuming star has won the hearts of even those who don't call themselves as his fans. While there are hundreds of interesting details about Vijay that can be discussed today, as he celebrates his 42nd birthday IndiaGlitz brings you 42 interesting details about Vijay.

• It will be hard to believe that Vijay has crossed the age 40. In Nanban' that released when he was 38, no one could find a speck of fault in casting him as a first year engineering student. Even in his recent blockbuster Theri' in which he played the father of a kid, his dashing youthfulness engrossed the screen. He does not spend hours in the gym or follow tough dieting regime. Still, he manages to look young as ever.


• Those who do not admire much of Vijay's acting skills will accept that he is the master of dance. He does not belong to a family of dance master and has not been trained in dance since his young age. But still his dance is being compared with the likes of Prabhu Deva and Raghava Lawrence, the dancing legends of Kollywood.


• Vijay can never be spotted involving in unnecessary chit chats in shooting spot. Puli' cinematographer Natraj has said that his calmness in the sets, means he keeps thinking about his character and how to perform the next shot. Still, he is a down to earth person who treats everyone equally and keep inquiring about their wellness.


• Though his father is a leading director, Vijay qualified himself for cinema by completing Bsc Viscom at Loyola college before entering Kollywood.


• It is well known that apart from being a great actor with exemplary dancing skills, Vijay is also a fantastic singer. Again he has not had any formal music training, but all the songs he has crooned so far have been super hits. While he used to sing once in a while in the past, in the recent years he has been following the practice of singing at least one song in each film. This practice started from Thupakki' that released in 2012.


• Former Miss World Priyanka Chopra made her acting debut with Vijay in the 2002 film Tamilan before becoming a top heroine in Bollywood. Few other Bollywood lasses Bipasha Basu and Illeana have also acted with Vijay before becoming popular.


• Vijay's favorite free time activity at home is, playing video games with his son for hours together.


• Vijay is not the one who does not get emotional easily. But while shooting for an ad film with his mother Shoba Chandrasekar, people who were at this spot said that star got unusually emotional.


• Fan clubs of Vijay are strong and active in not just Tamil Nadu but also in other parts of South India and foreign nations with a large Tamil population like Sri Lanka.


• Vijay has not acted in any direct other language films. But the dubbed versions of his Tamil films like Jilla' have been phenomenally successful. Also, his fan base has not been restricted to Tamil speakers.


• Vijay has the privilege of having acted with Nadigar Thilagam Sivaji Ganesan in Once More' He has also acted with other heroes such as Vijayakanth, Suriya, Ajith, Sathyaraj, Prabhu, Jiiva and Srikanth.


• Vijay has the reputation of having introduced many newcomers as directors and opening the gates of Kollywood for them. The long list includes Perarasu (Thirupachi), Jegan (Puthiya Geethai), Ezhil (Thullatha Manamum Thullum), Bharathan (Azhagiya Tamil Magan), John Mahendran (Sachein), Madhesh (Madurey), S.P.Rajkumar (Vettaikaran) and others.


• Vijay never celebrates his birthday with lavish parties and prefers to keep the personal celebration as simple as possible. Instead, he and his fans will involve in a lot of social service and philanthropic activities on that day.


• Vijay has been a caring and affectionate father for his son Jason Sanjay and daughter Divya Sasha. He has recorded their first baby speeches as audio and keeps them as a treasure.


• After completing every film, Vijay uses to visit the Church at Velankanni and offer prayers to the lord.


• Vijay is a ardent meat eater. Sathish his Kaththi' and Vijay 60' co-star has revealed that Vijay loves to eat Italian cakes.


• Amithabh Bachchan is the favorite Bollywood star of Vijay and he uses to catch the Big Bs films in theaters without fail probably on the first day of release.


• Sangeetha, the wife of Vijay hails from London and her parents are still staying in there. Vijay makes it a point to visit his in-laws in London every year. When it comes to vacation trips, the choice of the country will be left to the kids.


• Tennis is the most favorite sport of Vijay and he even keeps playing tennis whenever he gets free time with his son Sanjay.


• Vijay uses to address his pals from college days as Machi' and all others as Anna.'


• Like his professional rival Ajith, Vijay is also interested in testing his culinary skills. When he gets free time at home, he uses to cook some tasty dishes and surprise his family members.


• Vijay loves black colored cars. When he buys new cars, the company will change, but not the color.


• Shoba Chandrasekar, the mother of Vijay is a Carnatic Singer and continues singing in Sabhas during the December season. If Vijay is in the city he never would he miss his dear mother's music programs.


• Simran, Jyothika and Trisha are the actresses who have acted in more than three films with Vijay. They are also the most successful heroines of Tamil cinema. Vijay has the habit of encouraging his talented co-stars by giving more opportunities to them. Kajal Aggarwal and Samantha are the recent examples.


• When he decided to become an actor and conveyed that to his father, he had to convince the director in S.A.Chandrasekar by delivering the famous lengthy interval dialogue of the Superstar in Annamalai' without any mistakes.


• Vijay has acted in many ad films such as Coca-cola, Sunfeast and Pothys. But the ad which is close to his heart is the one for a jewelry brand in which he acted with his mom.


• Vijay has won the Best Actor Award from the Tamil Nadu State Government for his performance in Kadhalukku Mariyadhai' (1997) and Thirupachi' (2005). He is also a five time winner of the Best actor award given by a popular Tamil satellite channel.