Vikram was born on April 17, 1966, as Kennedy John Victor to a Christian Malayali father and a Hindu Tamil mother. His father, a native of Paramakudi, was a small-time actor and his mother, Rajeshwari was sub-collector. Vikram has a brother, Arvind, and a younger sister, Anitha.
The name Vikram was composed by taking "Vi" from his father's name, "K" from Kennedy, "Ra" from his mother's name and "ram" from his sun sign, Aries.
Vikram began his professional career by modelling for brands. Vikram’s film debut came in the 1990 movie, En Kadhal Kanmani, a small budget love story. Sridhar's Thanthu Vitten Ennai, opposite Rohini was his next film. He then signed on to be a part of cinematographer PC Sriram's college love story, Meera.
In 1997, debutant director Bala offered him the role of the rogue Sethu (Chiyaan), in the film Sethu. It released in December 1999 and Vikram was praised for the film's success. His next release was Rajakumaran's Vinnukum Mannukum, alongside Sarath Kumar, Khushbu and Devayani.
Post this, he played a policeman in his next film, Dhill. His role as a gravedigger in Pithamagan alongside Suriya, Sangeetha and Laila did not have any dialogue, but his expressions sold the character. His portrayal won him both the Filmfare Best Tamil Actor Award and the National Film Award for Best Actor, with the latter accolade making him only the third Tamil actor to win the award.
Vikram’s role as Aditya Karikalan in Mani Ratnam's film, Ponniyin Selvan, reminds fans of his role in Raavanan, both showcasing raw, explosive characters and remarkable monologues.
He is married to Shailaja Balakrishnan. They have a daughter Akshita born in 1993 and a son Dhruv born in 1995.
The INDIA bloc organised a symbolic mock parliament and public impeachment proceeding against Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar, accusing him of treason and orchestrating electoral manipulation through the deletion of over 13 crore voters. Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge leveled six charges against the Election Commission chief, alleging unconstitutional voter list purges and collusion with the ruling government. In a sharp counterattack, the Bharatiya Janata Party defended the Special Intensive Revision process, explaining the ASDD formula covering absent, shifted, deceased, and duplicate electors. BJP leaders detailed that out of the 13 crore names, millions had permanently shifted, over two crore were deceased, and more than one crore were duplicate entries. The ruling party questioned why 38 lakh opposition booth-level agents failed to flag erroneous deletions during field verification. The broadcast features heated debate over the legality of the revision drive, procedural transparency within the poll body, and the presence of undocumented immigrants on the electoral register.
A debate on National Unity Day highlighted contrasting views between the Bharatiya Janata Party and the Congress regarding national security, Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel's historical legacy, and the definition of urban Naxals. Dr Vikram Singh highlighted the importance of internal security, the integration of over 600 princely states by Sardar Patel, and the ongoing challenge posed by urban Naxals despite victories over left-wing extremism. Congress spokesperson Nishant Rawal questioned the scope of the term urban Naxal, arguing that it should not be applied to the political opposition, media, or student protesters, while asserting the Congress heritage of Sardar Patel. In response, Bharatiya Janata Party leader Dr Syed Zafar Islam accused the Congress of taking decades to recognise Sardar Patel's contributions and prioritising the Nehru-Gandhi family over him, pointing out delays in conferring the Bharat Ratna. The panel examined the broader implications of these political claims on historical recognition and national unity.
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio visited India, holding bilateral talks with External Affairs Minister Dr S Jaishankar in Mumbai alongside Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri and US Ambassador Sergio Gor. The high-level meeting addressed critical bilateral relations, strategic cooperation, and diplomatic concerns, including the Lindsey Graham sanctions act and fuel imports. Rubio highlighted India's stature as the world's most populous nation, largest democracy, and an essential partner across commercial, defence, and Quad initiatives. The dialogue also touched upon progress towards an upcoming trade agreement, with officials indicating that talks are nearing completion. Beyond diplomatic discussions in Mumbai, Rubio's itinerary included a scheduled visit to Gujarat to inspect the Reliance oil refinery in Jamnagar, underscoring the growing significance of energy security, global fuel supply stability, and mutual investment ties between India and the United States amid ongoing global market challenges.
This special broadcast of India First, hosted by Gaurav Sawant, covers unrest across France, Italy, Portugal, and Albania, analysing potential national security lessons for India.
This special broadcast of India First, anchored by Gaurav Sawant, covers key national developments across politics, law and order, and business.
On India First, anchor Gaurav leads a fiery debate on the massive trade disruptions and economic fallout caused by protests in Delhi's Connaught Place during the festival season. Atul Bhargav, President of the New Delhi Traders Association, highlights daily business losses exceeding hundreds of crores. Brijesh Kalappa, Congress national spokesperson and senior advocate, defends the fundamental right to protest under Article 19 alongside Article 21, asserting: 'Protesters are also going likely to be customers... the government wants to stifle all protest. And in that process, they're also killing businesses.' In response, BJP national spokesperson Tuhin Sinha accuses the opposition of pushing an 'obsessive compulsive protesting' and creating a reckless 'protest economy' aimed at browbeating judicial institutions. Former Uttar Pradesh DGP Dr. Vikram Singh criticizes agitators for targeting restricted zones and weaponizing public roads, questioning the credibility and motives behind the escalating demonstrations.
A high-stakes television debate features Congress spokesperson Adil Singh Boparai, BJP spokesperson RP Singh, and strategic affairs expert Dr Vikram Singh discussing allegations surrounding the Election Commission of India and charges of regime change. Adil Singh Boparai asserts that seeking regime change through the ballot box is entirely legitimate in a democracy and insists the Election Commission must remain neutral. Responding to accusations of fostering unrest, Boparai states, 'If seeking accountability and transparency is anarchy, then so be it,' while alleging procedural opacity and discrepancies under Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar. BJP spokesperson RP Singh strongly counters the charge, asserting that decisions within the Election Commission were taken unanimously and that the opposition is attempting to manufacture street-level unrest because it cannot defeat the government through votes. Dr Vikram Singh highlights severe national security concerns, warning against drawing inspiration from unrest in Bangladesh and calling for strict action against illegal voters.
Leader of the Opposition Rahul Gandhi met the parents of Ankita Bhandari alongside activist Yogita Bhayana during a protest at India Gate, where the family demanded a Central Bureau of Investigation inquiry and questioned the appointment of BJP leader Dushyant Gautam as Governor of Sikkim. Meanwhile, Union Home Minister Amit Shah clashed politically with the Congress over the Special Intensive Revision of electoral rolls, accusing the opposition of protecting infiltrators for vote banks, while Congress leaders questioned deportation data and alleged voter deletions. In Uttar Pradesh, a Meerut court awarded the death penalty to Muskan Rastogi and Sahil Shukla for the murder, dismemberment, and concealment of Saurabh Rajput's body in a cement-sealed drum following a thirteen-month trial. Legal experts, including former Uttar Pradesh Director General of Police Vikram Singh and Supreme Court Senior Advocate Colin Gonsalves, analyzed whether the case qualifies as the rarest of rare on India First amid wider political debates on electoral roll revisions.
A Meerut court has sentenced convicts Muskaan Rastogi and her friend Sahil Shukla to death for the murder of Muskaan's husband, Saurabh Rajput. Pronouncing the sentence, the judge invoked the Mahabharata, stating that punishment is also dharma. The verdict concluded a 13-month trial involving 126 hearings and testimony from 22 prosecution witnesses. Both accused were convicted of murder, criminal conspiracy, and destruction of evidence after Rajput's dismembered body was sealed in layers of cement inside a blue drum. On India First, former Uttar Pradesh Director General of Police Dr. Vikram Singh termed the ruling appropriate and an essential deterrent against diabolical crimes, cautioning against any leniency. Conversely, senior Supreme Court advocate Colin Gonsalves expressed scepticism regarding whether the case meets the threshold for rarest of the rare, suggesting the capital sentence may be commuted to life imprisonment by superior courts.
On India First, former Uttar Pradesh Director General of Police Dr. Vikram Singh and Supreme Court Senior Advocate Collin Goncalves debate capital punishment and deterrence in the brutal Neela Drum murder case. Discussing the conviction of Muskan and Sahil, Dr. Vikram Singh backs the death penalty, asserting, 'Bina dand ke rajya adhikar nahin chalta hai, and to show any iota, even an iota of mercy to Muskan and Sahil would be a miscarriage of justice.' He highlights how the destruction of evidence and the gruesome hacking of the victim's body shocked the conscience of the nation, categorizing it as rarest of rare. Conversely, Collin Goncalves argues that academic research shows capital punishment is not an effective deterrent and predicts the superior court may commute the sentence to life imprisonment. Emphasizing judicial timelines, Dr. Singh notes that swift punishment under BNSS is vital because justice delayed is justice denied.
Leader of the Opposition Rahul Gandhi met the parents of Ankita Bhandari alongside activist Yogita Bhayana during a protest at India Gate, where the family demanded a Central Bureau of Investigation inquiry and questioned the appointment of BJP leader Dushyant Gautam as Governor of Sikkim.
A special broadcast brings together political representatives, legal experts, and security analysts to debate allegations surrounding the Election Commission of India's Special Intensive Revision (SIR) process and the ongoing demonstrations in New Delhi. Congress National Spokesperson Salman Soz questions the revision exercise, citing discrepancies in voter lists across Maharashtra, Delhi, and West Bengal, including unverified deletions and pending appeals. Countering these claims, BJP National Spokesperson Syed Zafar Islam argues that the opposition lacks evidence and accuses political groups of seeking publicity rather than engaging constitutional avenues. Supreme Court advocate Jai Anant Dehadrai states that decisions within the Election Commission follow constitutional provisions, while advocate Pranav Dhawan examines the constitutional right to freedom of expression regarding denied protest permissions at Jantar Mantar. Former police chief Dr. Vikram Singh notes that claims of foreign involvement necessitate actionable evidence and surveillance. The panel assesses institutional accountability, street demonstrations, and electoral roll procedures.
A panel debate examines the security clampdown, heavy police deployment, and administrative measures enforced across Delhi following demonstrations and confrontations between protesters and law enforcement personnel. BJP spokesperson Radhika Khera defends the actions of Delhi Police, including detentions, closed metro stations, and suspended train services, asserting that restrictions prevent hooliganism and protect public order. Panelists Sanjay Jha, Congress spokesperson Pooja Tripathi, and former police officer Vikram Singh address constitutional rights to peaceful assembly, Section 163 enforcement, permissions for gatherings at Jantar Mantar, and reports of clashes and stone pelting in Connaught Place.
Mahatma Gandhi's 157th birth anniversary was commemorated globally as Indian diplomatic missions, diplomats, and diaspora members held events celebrating his message of peace, truth, and nonviolence. Tributes featuring floral offerings, music, and discussions on Gandhian values took place across Beijing, Tokyo, Islamabad, Kathmandu, Canberra, and Wellington. In Beijing, Indian Ambassador Vikram Doraiswami joined the Indian community at the Jintai Art Museum, while ceremonies in Japan were held at Gandhi's statue in Edogawa. Commemorations spanning Asia, Australia, New Zealand, the United States, Canada, Europe, and beyond highlighted ideals of service, harmony, and nonviolence, demonstrating the continuing global resonance of India's enduring message.
On India First, anchor Gaurav leads a fiery debate on the violence and stone-pelting reported during the anti-encroachment drive near the Shahi Masjid in Ujjain. Former Uttar Pradesh Director General of Police Dr. Vikram Singh and All India Imam Association President Maulana Sajid Rashidi discuss the incident, where women police officers and crime branch personnel sustained serious injuries. Dr. Singh highlights a troubling pattern of using women at the forefront of violent agitation and warns that 'nobody should obstruct law from taking its own course'. Meanwhile, Maulana Rashidi questions who orchestrated the stone-pelting despite a prior mutual agreement with the mosque committee and administration, demanding severe punishment for those hired to attack law enforcement.
In an interview with India Today's Gaurav Sawant, strategic affairs expert Professor Brahma Chellaney addressed the controversy surrounding the release and departure of Matthew VanDyke and other foreign nationals accused of illegal activities and arms supply to Myanmar rebels. Chellaney asserted, "Under successive Indian governments, India has surrendered to external pressure," comparing the development to past episodes such as the Bhopal gas tragedy, the Purulia arms drop, and the Italian marines case. He criticized the decision to allow individuals facing serious national security allegations to exit the country on default bail, stating, "These seven men will not return to India. They have been deliberately let go free. Let's be clear on that. This case is dead. It's dead as a dodo." Furthermore, Chellaney highlighted the direct regional fallout for India's Northeast, warning that the flow of drones and weaponry to Chin rebels in Myanmar fuels Kuki insurgent groups active in the ongoing ethnic strife in Manipur.
Speaking to India Today during a Congress protest in Dehradun, Pratap Nagar MLA Vikram Singh Negi accused the central government of undermining Indian democracy through electoral manipulation. Following allegations raised by Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi, Negi demanded the resignation and dismissal of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar. He asserted that governments were formed in multiple states and parliamentarians won through vote theft, calling for fresh elections and the revocation of laws passed by them. Negi claimed around 13 crore voters are being impacted by false complaints and raised concerns over reports of 95,000 votes being deleted in Uttarakhand, calling it an assault on voting rights.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Russian President Vladimir Putin held a 45-minute bilateral meeting at Bharat Mandapam before touring the InnoProm exhibition together. The leaders arrived travelling in President Putin's armoured Aurus Senat limousine, a specialised vehicle built like a light tank. The exhibition highlighted major technological advancements alongside areas for bilateral cooperation, including tunnel boring machines, rare earth minerals, magnets, and fighter jet engine development. Discussions focused on advancing India's self-reliance under Atmanirbhar Bharat across high-technology frontiers and defence manufacturing. Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri and senior delegation officials accompanied the two leaders during their visit across the pavilion.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi held a bilateral meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin, accompanied by a high-level Indian delegation including External Affairs Minister Dr S Jaishankar, Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri, Ajit Doval, and senior Prime Minister's Office officials. The discussions highlight the full spectrum of India-Russia strategic relations across defence, economy, energy, and national security, building on longstanding cooperation such as the BrahMos missile and nuclear submarine projects. Business-to-business cooperation in infrastructure areas like tunnel boring machines and steel usage was noted as critical to economic expansion. Prime Minister Modi also presented President Putin with a Russian translation of the ancient Tamil classic Thirukkural by saint-poet Thiruvalluvar, published under the Central Institute of Classical Tamil translation series.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Russian President Vladimir Putin met for a bilateral meeting alongside key delegates, including External Affairs Minister Dr S Jaishankar, National Security Advisor Ajit Doval, and Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri. The bilateral discussions focus on advancing strategic ties, reaching a hundred billion dollars in bilateral trade, and addressing the trade deficit between India and Russia. Key agenda items for the leaders also include defence and energy cooperation, building on their long-standing strategic partnership.
