Jayabhuvaneshwari B
The first roar has arrived. In H Vinoth’s upcoming actioner Jana Nayagan, Vijay is back, this time, clad in khaki, radiating an aura of quiet authority and unmistakable grit. The recently released glimpse doesn’t reveal much about the character he plays, but it sets the tone: a no-nonsense enforcer who commands the streets with steely silence and sharp action.
While this might be his final outing on screen, this isn’t the first time Vijay has donned the khaki or embodied a role of law, order, and unflinching duty. Over the years, the actor has slipped into uniforms both literal and symbolic, playing cops, army officers, or even passionate aspirants who dream of upholding justice.
As we await more details on his character in Jana Nayagan, here’s a look back at five other times Vijay stood tall as a protector and enforcer—whether with a badge, a uniform, or just sheer conviction.
Satyamoorthy IPS from Pokkiri:
In Pokkiri (2007), Vijay plays Tamizh, a ruthless hitman with a brutal code, until the explosive reveal: he's actually an undercover IPS officer named Satyamoorthy, infiltrating the criminal underworld. The film’s final act turns on this twist, reframing his violence as part of a larger, sacrificial mission for justice. When he finally appears in full uniform, it’s more than a costume change; it’s a culmination of grit, restraint, and righteousness. Vijay’s portrayal balances swagger with strategy, making Pokkiri a defining moment where the khaki isn’t just worn, but earned in the blood and chaos of a crime-ridden world.
Captain Jagadish Dhanapal from Thuppakki:
In Thuppakki (2012), Vijay plays Jagadish, an off-duty Indian Army intelligence officer whose vacation turns into a covert mission to dismantle a deadly sleeper cell network in Mumbai. Clad in civilian clothes for most of the film, it’s his discipline, sharp intellect, and unflinching sense of duty that underscore his military identity. The action is sleek, the strategy razor-sharp, and Vijay’s portrayal radiates the silent intensity of a soldier who never clocks out. When the uniform does appear, it lands with gravitas, reminding us that some protectors fight in the shadows, with loyalty to the nation as their only badge.
Shakti from Jilla:
In Jilla (2014), Vijay plays Shakthi, a loyal foster son to a don, who initially walks the path of violence under his father’s shadow. When fate compels him to become a police officer, he dons the uniform reluctantly, but the transformation is gradual and heartfelt. Shakthi evolves from a casual, almost dismissive cop into a man who understands the gravity of the badge he wears. As the uniform grows on him, so does his moral clarity, leading him to stand up to his own father’s wrongdoing. Jilla captures Vijay in a compelling shift: from lawbreaker to law enforcer with conscience.
DCP Vijay Kumar IPS from Theri:
In Theri (2016), Vijay’s character Joseph Kuruvilla hides a dark, heroic past: he was once Vijay Kumar, a fearsome Deputy Commissioner of Police. In flashbacks, we witness his intense transformation to a no-nonsense officer unafraid to use brutal force to deliver justice. As a cop, he’s razor-sharp, emotionally driven, and fiercely protective, especially of his wife and unborn child. But when that very family becomes the target, he’s forced into exile, choosing anonymity over authority. Still, the protector in him never fades. When pushed, he returns not just with vengeance but with the righteous fury of a man who once wore khaki with purpose.
'Police' Ravi from Vettaikaaran:
While Vettaikaaran (2009) isn’t a straightforward entry in Vijay’s lineup of enforcer roles, it earns a spiritual place on this list. Vijay plays Ravi, a passionate young man who dreams of becoming a police officer like his idol, DCP Devaraj. But when the system fails and his mentor is blinded, Ravi takes matters into his own hands, resorting to don-like tactics to eliminate the villains. Though his path diverges from law enforcement ideals, his core intention remains rooted in justice. Fittingly, he sports a khaki auto driver’s shirt, a subtle nod to the uniform he longs to wear but never officially earns.