'Too much promotion ruins the aura of cinema'
In conversation with Vijay Sethupathi
Vijay Sethupathi exemplifies unpretentiousness. The actor, who has done some memorable characters in Tamil cinema over the last few years, continues not to have any hang-ups of being a star. And with his latest release Kavan doing well, the actor seems quite pleased. Even though his role in the film doesn’t particularly seem challenging, Vijay says every role demands a certain level of involvement. “A good actor is someone who can be real, and who can dig into himself, his script, his character, and represent that on screen.”
Ultimately, it’s a good story that convinces Vijay to pick a film. That’s why he immediately consented to be a part of Pushkar-Gayatri’s upcoming Vikram Vedha.
“I play a gangster in this story that is a modern adaptation of Vikramathithan Vedhalam stories. It’s also my first film with a female director. Getting to work with Madhavan was a bonus,” he says. It’s not news anymore, but the actor is happy to do experimental roles. “It’s not something I plan on, but happens. All I’m thinking about as an actor is that I reach the audience with my performance. Luckily, this philosophy has worked in my favour.”
He has a method to his acting. “I observe a lot. Even as I’m talking to you, I’m observing... It comes naturally to me. I use these observations on screen. There’s no teaching in cinema; there’s just a lot of learning.”
Vijay, who is always keen to make sure that the characters he plays are not larger-than-life, says he attempts to strike a balance between pure cinema and commercial cinema. Despite being a part of so many acclaimed hit films, he isn’t satisfied. “Satisfaction stops you from growing. I feel the urge to constantly reinvent myself,” he says.
Why then isn’t he part of films from other regions? “I want to do a Telugu film, but I don’t know who to approach,” he says. “I got an offer for a Malayalam film, but couldn’t do it due to date issues.”
Vijay Sethupathi exemplifies unpretentiousness. The actor, who has done some memorable characters in Tamil cinema over the last few years, continues not to have any hang-ups of being a star. And with his latest release Kavan doing well, the actor seems quite pleased. Even though his role in the film doesn’t particularly seem challenging, Vijay says every role demands a certain level of involvement. “A good actor is someone who can be real, and who can dig into himself, his script, his character, and represent that on screen.”
Ultimately, it’s a good story that convinces Vijay to pick a film. That’s why he immediately consented to be a part of Pushkar-Gayatri’s upcoming Vikram Vedha.
“I play a gangster in this story that is a modern adaptation of Vikramathithan Vedhalam stories. It’s also my first film with a female director. Getting to work with Madhavan was a bonus,” he says. It’s not news anymore, but the actor is happy to do experimental roles. “It’s not something I plan on, but happens. All I’m thinking about as an actor is that I reach the audience with my performance. Luckily, this philosophy has worked in my favour.”
He has a method to his acting. “I observe a lot. Even as I’m talking to you, I’m observing... It comes naturally to me. I use these observations on screen. There’s no teaching in cinema; there’s just a lot of learning.”
Vijay, who is always keen to make sure that the characters he plays are not larger-than-life, says he attempts to strike a balance between pure cinema and commercial cinema. Despite being a part of so many acclaimed hit films, he isn’t satisfied. “Satisfaction stops you from growing. I feel the urge to constantly reinvent myself,” he says.
Why then isn’t he part of films from other regions? “I want to do a Telugu film, but I don’t know who to approach,” he says. “I got an offer for a Malayalam film, but couldn’t do it due to date issues.”
He’s also eager to play a villain. “But nobody approaches me with such scripts.”
How about Bollywood? He laughs. “Will they consider me? I have difficult pronouncing the titles of Hindi films as it is. But I’ll tell you this: I’m happy to do good films no matter which language they belong to. Also, I should say that Tamil cinema is appreciated across the world today. Films are universal anyway. Our cinema is also becoming more fresh, real and believable.”
He turns philosophical. “You have to be silent to listen to that inner voice. It tells you what needs to be done.”
He doesn’t know if he wants to identify himself as a method actor. “But I give my all to the character and internalise the actor’s behaviour. You can call me a director’s actor. However, I do have my own thoughts about my character and discuss it with the director.”
Vijay Sethupathi, who’s also currently busy with Karuppan, Thiagarajan Kumararaja’s Aneethi Kathaigal, and 96 among other films, won’t be tempted to discuss his upcoming films.
“We talk so much about them before their release that their aura gets lost,” he says. After much prodding, he cryptically says, “In Karuppan, there’s less action, but lots of heroism.”
How about Bollywood? He laughs. “Will they consider me? I have difficult pronouncing the titles of Hindi films as it is. But I’ll tell you this: I’m happy to do good films no matter which language they belong to. Also, I should say that Tamil cinema is appreciated across the world today. Films are universal anyway. Our cinema is also becoming more fresh, real and believable.”
He turns philosophical. “You have to be silent to listen to that inner voice. It tells you what needs to be done.”
He doesn’t know if he wants to identify himself as a method actor. “But I give my all to the character and internalise the actor’s behaviour. You can call me a director’s actor. However, I do have my own thoughts about my character and discuss it with the director.”
Vijay Sethupathi, who’s also currently busy with Karuppan, Thiagarajan Kumararaja’s Aneethi Kathaigal, and 96 among other films, won’t be tempted to discuss his upcoming films.
“We talk so much about them before their release that their aura gets lost,” he says. After much prodding, he cryptically says, “In Karuppan, there’s less action, but lots of heroism.”
He ends the conversation by discussing the future of his career. “There are no horizons, no milestones in my career. I didn’t think I’d ever become an established actor. During my first five films, I was on a high and would get excited about everything. Then, I got used to it. Now, I am happy to live in the present. I’d love to work with new, young directors. Padathukkaga dhan naan, enakkaga padangal illa,” he says.
(The piece was originally written for The New Indian Express)
(The piece was originally written for The New Indian Express)
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