Vijay Sethupathi

Vijay Sethupathi Biography

Vijay Sethupathi is a very talented and popular actor of Tamil cinema at present. Most of his movies in the recent times have won both critics’ appreciation and commercial success as well, and most of the movies belong to comedy genre. He started his career as an extra for Tamil cinema for more than 5 years before playing his first lead role in Seenu Ramasamy's Thenmerku Paruvakaatru (2010). Vijay rose to stardom within a very short time, winning appreciation from audience as well as critics. He is mostly associated with realistic films than masala entertainers.

Many of his movies have been described as classics, including the cult classic comedy - Naduvula Konjam Pakkatha Kaanom (2012). Sundarapandian (2012), Pizza (2012), Soodhu Kavvum (2013) and Idharkuthane Aasaipattai Balakumara (2013) are other noted works. His recent releases - Orange Mittai and Naanum Rowdy Dhaan – opened to high positive reviews from critics and both belong to comedy genre. Kadhalum Kadandhu Pogum is slated to release in February 2016. Now a series of movies are in the pipeline – Sethupathi, Rekka, Aandavan Kattalai, Dharma Durai, Iraivi, Mellisai, Idam Porul Yaeval etc. Vijay has turned producer with the movie, Merku Thodarchi Malai, and the movie to release in 2016 under his newly established production house - Vijay Sethupathi Productions.

A native of Rajapalayam, he was born in the year 1976. His father is a civil engineer. An average student in studies and extracurricular activities, his schooling was completed at Kodambakkam. He did many odd jobs to earn pocket money and after graduation moved to Dubai to financially support his family. He fell in love with an online friend Jessie whom he married in 2003. Unsatisfied with the job in Dubai he returned to India where he did interior designing business, worked in marketing field etc. Once he was encouraged by Balu Mahendra to join film field, as his face is photogenic.

Subsequently he joined Chennai-based theatre group Koothu-P-Pattarai, where he worked as an accountant and actor. He closely watched the film scene and joined as a junior artist with his first salary, rupees 250. He was seen in the crowd, as hero’s friend etc for many movies. In those struggling days, many of his roles got replaced and even he was rejected for a junior artist in one movie. In 2006, he acted in one television series, Penn and later he got associated with short films. Slowly he got minor roles in movies like - Pudhupettai, Lee, Vennila Kabadi Kuzhu and Naan Mahaan Alla etc. Director Suseenthiran played a major role in spotting his talent.

Thenmerku Paruvakaatru (2011) was his first film in the lead role. 2012 was the major turning point of his career. He played a negative role in Sundarapandian, followed by lead role in the thriller – Pizza, which earned him many awards and nominations. It was followed by cult classic comedy Naduvula Konjam Pakkatha Kaanom which earned him Vijay Special Jury Award and Norway Tamil Film Festival Award for Best Actor. With Soodhu Kavvum released in 2013, he rose to the rank of one of the most established actors of Collywood.

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Updated: September 20, 2017