Vijay Sethupathi, who starred in Jawan and Farzi, will now appear in Maharaja. He talks to HT about his 50th film, his journey thus far, and the lessons he has learned.
Vijay Sethupathi, a Tamil star, has made his way into Bollywood with a blockbuster Shah Rukh Khan film, a Shahid Kapoor web series, and a Katrina Kaif starrer. Vijay, known as the Makkal Selvan (people’s treasure) in Tamil cinema, is renowned for his versatility and ability to play any role on screen naturally and effortlessly. Whether it’s a pizza delivery guy in Pizza, a man with amnesia in Naduvula Konjam Pakkatha Kaanom, a cop in Naanum Rowdy Thaan, a trans woman in Super Deluxe, or a gangster in Vikram Vedha, Master and Vikram
Vijay Sethupathi has proven that any role is easy for him. (Also read: Maharaja trailer: Vijay Sethupathi’s secret, Anurag Kashyap’s menace. Watch)
Vijay Sethupathi’s 50th film, Maharaja, will be released on June 14, and he believes it will show the audience a new side of him. In an exclusive interview with Hindustan Times, the Tamil star discusses his career, honing his craft, and more. Maharaja, directed by Nithilan Saminathan, is set to release on June 14. You play a barber who appears to have shades of grey.
I liked this role because it was different from what I’d done before. This film is probably closest in genre to my film Pizza. There are plenty of surprises in the film, and I don’t want to spoil too much because I want the audience to see it in theaters. I believe they will have a thrilling ride.
Maharaja marks the 50th film in your career, a significant milestone. How has this journey felt so far?
I feel like I’ve only just begun my career. So far, it’s been an excellent learning experience for me in terms of understanding the film industry – the people here, the mistakes I’ve made, the experiences I’ve had, and so on. Every aspect is critical, from the story and script to understanding the director’s vision and capabilities, shooting the film, and promoting and releasing it. Making a film is a complex process that involves more than just the story. It is also important to consider who will star in the film and his or her target audience, as well as the technicians. To execute a film, one must have clarity and vision. When you watch recent films like Nanpakal Nerathu Mayakkam, Manjummel Boys, and Premalu, you notice not only the story but also how well the filmmaker executed it. The story is the foundation, but how you execute it is crucial. My film was recently released, and despite my repeated requests, the producer did not promote it. All of this has an impact on the film. So yes, I’ve learned a lot so far.
Don’t you believe that only one star could have portrayed a specific character well?
I think of it this way: the reason I performed so well on screen is solely due to the director’s story and the guidance he provided during the performance. If the actor understands exactly what the director wants, everything will fall into place perfectly. Whatever it is, the director provides input, which is critical to an actor’s performance. Just because a star appears in a film does not guarantee that the film will be successful; every aspect of the film, from the scripts to the dialogue, the way it is shot, and so on, is critical to the film’s success. Take any major film as an example: you cannot say that it was a blockbuster solely because of the star.
You become the character in every role you play, and it comes across very naturally on screen. Do you do any homework for your roles?
When a director tells me a story that I enjoy, it stays with me for a long time. I might come across references in everyday life, and it begins to register. As time passes, the gap between the role and the story narrows, and I become more emotionally and mentally invested in it. I keep having discussions (often random) with the director – it’s not mandatory you understand the story right away, but it’s important you
I understand the director. The story will then be immediately understandable to you. That is the homework I do. And homework requires more than just learning the dialogues and body language; you must also understand the character’s core. Sometimes a skill is required for the role; for example, in Maharaja, I am a barber. So I’d practice cutting hair to hone my skills.
With 50 films under your belt, what keeps you motivated to act every day?
Every time I stand in front of the camera for a shot, it is something new to me. Every shot and story is new to me. I never feel like I’ve done this story or shot before.
While shooting Maharaja, I was also filming another film. While shooting Viduthalai, I was also working on a web series. Everything is new for me. For example, I worked on Viduthalai 1 and am currently shooting Viduthalai 2. The film and character are the same, but it feels fresh and new to me.
How do you push yourself as an actor?
I believe I am only now beginning to understand the craft. In recent years, I’ve been searching for something more and delving deeper into the craft.
Previously, I’d read the dialogues a few times and be ready to shoot, but now I take my time, check the flow, do rehearsals, and so on. I have always been responsible, but I believe I have become more responsible to my craft. My respect for my craft has grown significantly, and I’m very happy when I’m on set or when I have to travel for shoots. I’ve also reduced the number of films I do each year.
So you’re happier with your job now than you were at first?
Yes, you’re correct. The films are the same, but my approach to them has evolved and improved. Any change in perspective is the result of a combination of several factors and experiences over time. As my passion for cinema has grown, I am taking a much more responsible approach in the future. I now spend more time reading, watching movies, relaxing, and learning new things. I’m currently learning music, specifically singing and piano. And I am doing it for myself. I believe that all of this will help me improve my acting skills.
Do you see yourself directing a film someday?
That desire has existed for a long time. I’m paying a lot more attention to lighting, cinematography, and direction. Hopefully, it will happen someday.
What advice would you give to someone dreaming of becoming an actor?
Many people here believe that after completing an acting course, they can simply become actors. They compare it to earning a degree and becoming a doctor or engineer. An acting course provides information, but what you do with it afterwards is what matters. Acting and success do not happen overnight; it cannot be a short-term goal.
If my current knowledge of acting is 20%, it was only 2% when I first became a hero. This is a process, and once you enter the profession, you must be dedicated and hardworking. If you believe you are an actor simply because you completed a course, your learning will come to an end. You must gain experience, and it is a continuous learning process throughout your career.
How do you handle criticism – both from critics and the audience?
When some people share criticism, I believe it is valid, whereas for others, it is not because they will have a very different perspective due to a lack of comprehension. When critics go to review a film:
Their intention is to critique the film, and they see it from that perspective. Regarding the audience, they came to enjoy the film, so I believe it is critical to listen to them and take their feedback seriously, whether positive or negative.
I believe that all of the films I work on are of high quality; if they are not, I am not to blame. I am sincere, responsible, dedicated, and give my all in every film and role I take on. For example, I do not arrive late to set or instruct the director to change scenes on set.
The director is the ship’s captain, and I treat him with the utmost respect, even though I don’t like him personally. He is the one who has the vision for the film, from script to production and release. I have no control over how a film turns out.
Your work is widely praised by the audience and your colleagues. But are awards important to you?
Sometimes. When there are award ceremonies and you win an award, it is very satisfying to hear people talk about your film and how it made them happy. This makes me happy because it recognizes your efforts as a community.
Do you have a list of Tamil film stars with whom you want to work?
No, I think I’m tired of watching films like that. This is because I have had both positive and negative experiences in the Indian film industry. When you sign on to a film with another star, you obviously understand what you’re getting into in terms of the role. However, no matter how hard you work or how well you perform, there is often very little value placed on this at the end of the day. Because you contribute as much to the film as the star, but no one discusses it.
You stated that you no longer want to play villains.
Yes, I first stated during the Merry Christmas promotional campaign that I do not want to play villains or guest roles in the future. I’ve turned down a number of similar roles in recent years. When you play multiple roles in the same space (antagonist), you face limitations and comparisons to previous films and performances.
Shah Rukh Khan stated that he learned a lot from you during Jawan. Did you learn anything from him?
I learn something from everyone. What I’ve learned from Shah Rukh Khan is that his energy levels never drop. He became ill one day during the shoot, but you won’t know until he tells you. That is an amazing quality he possesses. He shared a lot of information about me, which made me very happy. Even what Rajinikanth and Vijay have said about me makes me very happy. I was pleased that they noticed so many aspects of me and my performances.
96 was a lovely romantic story in which the audience saw another side of you. When is your next romantic film coming out?
I love making romantic films and am looking for a good love story. But I haven’t found the right love story yet. Hopefully, soon!
