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.

[4] 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).

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

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".

[26] 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.

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

[31][32] Following a cameo role in Theeya Velai Seiyyanum Kumaru, he starred in the action films Pattathu Yaanai and Pandiya Naadu.

[33][34] Vishal opted to produce and collaborate with Thiru for a third venture Naan Sigappu Manithan (2014), a revenge drama, in which his character had narcolepsy.

[49][50] In 2019, he did one movie titled Action directed by Sundar C.[51] The film received mixed reviews and was a box office failure.

However, his next film, Mark Antony (2023) received positive reviews from critics and audience and became a box office success which was a comeback for Vishal after string of failures.

[55] After an incredible 12-year delay, Vishal’s much-awaited Tamil action-comedy Madha Gaja Raja finally saw the light of day, releasing in theatres on January 12, 2025.

Initially announced in 2012, the film endured a turbulent production journey marked by cast changes, script rewrites, and even disputes with distributors.

[56] Vishal filed his nomination as an independent candidate for the by-poll to Radhakrishnan Nagar constituency in Chennai, which fell vacant following Jayalalithaa's death in December 2017.

[58] Vishal was elected as the General Secretary of the Nadigar Sangam in October 2015 after initiating a movement against the previous committee.

Vishal was arrested by police in December 2018 when he tried to enter the Tamil Film Producers Council in T. Nagar, Chennai, by trying to break the lock.