Expect the Unexpected - This tagline perfectly suits one man in the industry, and that is none other than Chiyaan Vikram. Little did anyone expect that the actor will be able to walk, after a fatal accident that had him undergo 23 surgeries when he was in college. Sheer will power and determination were virtues he possessed always, and that was evident with the way he held on to his passion despite failures and challenges.

Vikram was fortunate to have worked with two legends - Sridhar (Thandhu Vitten Ennai) and SP Muthuraman (Kaaval Geetham) early in his career, played the lead in ace cinematographer PC Sreeram's debut directorial venture Meera and starred in Puthiya Mannargal which was directed by the superhit director of the 90s, Vikraman as well. But Vikram could not taste success, and even lost an opportunity to play the lead in Maniratnam's Bombay, an offer which went to Arvind Swamy later. Vikram continued acting in all the opportunities he received, be it Malayalam or Telugu movies, second lead or insignificant roles, dubbed for heroes like Ajith, Abbas and Prabhu Deva, and held firmly to the industry, and that was when he received Sethu, which was supposed to be made with another actor.

The movie was physically demanding, and Vikram lost 21 kgs, turning unidentifiable. The hardwork paid off, and Vikram and Bala delivered a thumping success that made the industry recognize Vikram as a talent to look out for. And then followed a number of successful outings alternating between the commercial entertainment and the content oriented stuff, as he played a wannabe cop in Dhill, a visually challenged Kasi, a massy gangster in Gemini, a rural do-gooder in Dhool, a mass cop in Saamy, and a national award winning performance as a graveyard caretaker in Pithamagan, which firmly established Vikram as an actor par excellence.

While he stunned with his physical transformations and unique performances differentiating one movie's character from the other, he was able to display three variations in one movie itself, with Anniyan. The thirst to experiment, unmindful of the commercial prospects and the determination and willingness to go through tough physical transformations (As was seen with his shocking weight loss and the contrasting beefed up look both for Shankar's Ai) keep the man running, and he continues to amaze and surprise audience, with his unique stamp and variety in each of his performances. The 53 year old is still thirsty to excel and explore the unexplored, and will be seen next, in action packed roles in movies like Kadaram Kondan.

From being a part of Dhruvam (1993), this man has now become the Dhruva Natchathiram of Kollywood, an unmatched, irreplaceable star who shines brighter with every passing year. Wishing the versatile Vikram a very happy birthday!