Vishal

Vishal Krishna Reddy (born 29 August 1977), professionally known as Vishal, is an Indian actor and producer who works in Tamil films.

Born to film producer G. K. Reddy, Vishal is known for his roles in action films.

He also produces films under his production company, Vishal Film Factory.

Vishal Krishna Reddy was born on 29 August 1977 into a Telugu-speaking family in Chennai, Tamil Nadu.

His father, G. K. Reddy, is a businessman and a film producer in Telugu and Tamil films.

His elder brother, Vikram Krishna, is also an actor and producer who has produced several of Vishal's films.

His family hails from Nellore, Andhra Pradesh.

Vishal did his schooling at Don Bosco Matriculation Higher Secondary School, Chennai.

He then graduated in visual communications from the Loyola College, Chennai.

Vishal assisted actor-director Arjun Sarja in his venture Vedham (2001), and a producer spotted Vishal on the sets of the film and signed him to appear in an acting role in Gandhi Krishna's Chellamae (2004).

Accepting the role, Vishal prepared by joining Koothu-P-Pattarai to hone his acting skills and played the protagonist role of Raghunandan, whose wife is kidnapped by her childhood friend.

A critic described his performance is "apt" but "there was plenty left to hone".

He then became an actor and played his first lead role in the romantic thriller Chellamae (2004), before acting in the action films Sandakozhi, Thimiru, Thaamirabharani and Malaikottai.

His next film was Sandakozhi (2005) with N. Linguswamy, who had previously worked with his father's production house as an assistant director.

Vishal was described to have "improved from his Chellamae days" and "clicked as an action hero".

Film journalists stated that he was "the fastest rising action hero" of the time.

Vishal was conferred with the Kalaimamani award in 2006, for his contributions to Tamil cinema.

Vishal made an entrance into the film industry as an assistant director for Arjun.

After a cameo as himself in Sasi's Dishyum (2006), he went on to appear in Tarun Gopi's action film Thimiru (2006).

The film opened to mixed reviews with Vishal being praised for his intense performance with a critic calling his performance "the film's only strength and, to an extent, making up for the weak script and poor characterisation".

The film became Vishal's third consecutive commercial success, and he began to emerge in Tamil films.

His next film, the political action drama Sivappathigaram (2006), directed by Karu Pazhaniappan was a failure financially despite favourable reviews.

His next film was released in January 2007, Hari's multi-starring family action drama Thaamirabharani (2007) and the film went on to gain considerable box office success, carrying good reports amidst other big budget releases.

Later in the year, he appeared in Boopathy Pandian's Malaikottai (2007), a comedy entertainer.

In his first full-length comic role, Vishal received mixed feedback for his portrayal from critics, with Rediff stating that he is "a far cry from the rather endearing young man in Sandakozhi", whilst describing his performance as "cringe-able".

Behindwoods stated it is an "Average masala-mix entertainer".

The film took a large opening and was declared a blockbuster, featuring in the top 10 at Behindwoods box office.

In the year 2008, for the first time, Vishal portrayed a police officer in Sathyam, which became a commercial failure at the box office.

Then both his films Thoranai (2009) and Theeradha Vilaiyattu Pillai (2010) were just average grossers.

Additionally, the box-office duds, Sathyam and Thoranai, both of which were bilingual in Tamil and Telugu, failed to establish his popularity in Telugu cinema.

Vishal was then given the opportunity to feature in Bala's dark comedy Avan Ivan (2011), after being recommended to the director by his friend Arya.

Portraying a village stage actor with a squint, Vishal had severe eye pain and headaches, and he also had a serious muscular injury on sets.

The film opened to mixed reviews, though Vishal's performance won positive reviews.

Indiaglitz stated that Vishal delivered an "award winning performance" and that his "mannerisms and body language give you goosebumps".

The reviewer further cited that "Vishal's spontaneous response to his mentor's death in the movie is touching. His demonstration of Navarasas in front of actor Suriya will melt you in tears".

Vishal played the role of a police officer in his following release Vedi (2011), directed by Prabhu Deva, which was declared an instant flop at the box office.

Vishal chose to create his own production studio and has since produced and worked on Pandiya Naadu (2013), Naan Sigappu Manithan (2014) and Poojai (2014).

In the 2013 film Samar, Vishal played a forest trek guide.

Behindwoods stated that he "rocks in the action sequences".

Following a cameo role in Theeya Velai Seiyyanum Kumaru, he starred in the action films Pattathu Yaanai and Pandiya Naadu.