Vijay Sethupathi: A Quick Interview

Vijay sethupathi: Meet the man who redefined the word ‘Happy’

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Speaking and interacting with actor Vijay Sethupathi can be quite an experience indeed!

Yes, recently Beautiful Times had a fabulous opportunity to interview the actor over a brief telephonic conversation. Normally not much for talking about himself, he accepted our invitation and went through the questions. While we had thought that we were well rehearsed with the right cue cards to prompt him to talk, he completely changed the direction of the conversation and took it to a new level.

A very simple and outspoken man, he is thankful for all the adulation, but has not allowed it to affect him at all. The simplicity was evident through the course of the dialogue, BUT, at the same time he can be quite restless and impatient if the questions are clichéd or even remotely stereotypical. And naturally so!

So one needs to be extremely smart and counter his questions which are in fact answers to our questions. And you are certainly left wondering – am I not supposed to be asking?! But then there is no room for such thoughts as at the other end of the line the actor is waiting and seeking a charged conversation. So I was forced to think on my feet and quickly shift gears to keep him fully occupied.

We tried doing it, and here are some excerpts from how the conversation took off:

Who is Vijay Sethupathi?

An actor, just that!

Was it a hard climb up?

Well I have answered this before several times actually, but in order to respond to your question –Yes it was. But somewhere during the journey there was a transformation into an actor and I could sense it, and after that it was all about traversing that journey.

At any point did you consider giving up? What was that turning point?

Of course yes, I have thought on those lines, but I kept returning to films and cinema. As much as I tried doing other things, I invariably found myself back at the studios, so I stuck along.

How would you describe success?

Well for me, understanding each film after I complete it is itself a great thing. I make sure I try to follow the director’s vision, the essence of the story and how I was able to render it.

Also getting on top of a challenging role, breaking your head about it, spending sleepless nights thinking about it and finally delivering a neat performance is what I would call the ‘sweet moment’ of success.

I am really not keen on being boxed into a standard version of success. Infact I am not a born actor, I am acting because I am enjoying this completely.

What is your fancy with all these phrases and one letter words?

It is certainly not something that I do consciously; at every stage I just make sure I am able to portray the vision of the director and do full justice to the film. And it so happens that Kumudha Happy went onto become such a huge hit with its reach penetrating even the corporate circles. In fact even today I am met by corporate professionals at airports who immediately bring up the Kumudha Happy aspect. It certainly feels good!

Why always this middle aged or old man characters?

Not really, I have only two films as an old man – Soodhu Kavum and Orange Mittai which I thoroughly enjoyed performing. As long as I am excited donning certain roles I will continue, irrespective of any specific categories.

Your films are slow to come by, why? Mellisai we saw an advertisement, but after that nothing much!

True, but it has got nothing do with me. Because I have been very prompt in completing my schedules, and I guess all of them will get rolled out soon.

We find a lot of local Madras Tamil in your films? Is it conscious?

Again it is about the role and its demands. Naanum Rowdy Than is a film in Pondicherry and if you actually visit the place you will notice people talking like how we did in the film, a tad like our local Madras Tamil. Also Sumar Moonji Kumar is also from a background where this language is common.

And know what, I like the character of Sumar Moonji Kumar very much; he is so innocent and pure and only wants one thing, which is Kumudha’s happiness. Even at the close of film he is not sure if he has received Kumudha’s love and he has only managed to impress her and that itself is a huge achievement for him.

What was your contribution for the Chennai floods? From a giving back to society, what are you doing?

Actually speaking our area was not much affected. And I would rather not discuss about what we did to help flood affected victims. Kindly excuse, as I would like to keep that personal.

How would you see yourself in 10 or 15 years from now?

Oh please, it is too far away, and I have no idea at all!

Vijay Sethupathi signs off politely thanking us and saying that he is very much a shy and introverted person!

We think otherwise and would like to tell our readers that he came across as endearing and energetic, warm and approachable, intelligent and curious, committed and passionate about films. And most certainly humble, or else how would you describe a star accepting to speak to a fairly new magazine such as ours.

Vijay Sethupathi is an actor to watch out for; undoubtedly he is going to give us some sensational stuff in the years to come!

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