It may be January, but for actor Vijay Sethupathi, it’s very much a Merry Christmas. The actor — clearly the new darling of Hindi cinema audiences — is awaiting the release of the Sriram Raghavan film opposite Katrina Kaif, and enjoying the adulation that is coming his way. After Jawan and Farzi, and a rich filmography in South films, Vijay is the go-to guy for strong author-backed roles, but accepts he is still getting used to everything else that comes as a package deal with working in films.
Lauded for breaking the set template of how a Hindi film actor looks with his real and relatable appearance, Vijay confessed that the newfound love he’s receiving for the way he looks acts like an “energy drink” for him but remembers the time he was body- shamed for it. In this interview with indianexpress.com, he also opens up on how he’s very conscious of what he’s wearing, because he has a habit of showing up in “chappals” at functions, get-togethers and meetings.
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He chuckles as he is reminded of his fan following and says, “Main aisa hi tha, body shaming bohot kiya tha mujhe (I have faced a lot of body-shaming for the way I look). Wahaan bhi kiya tha (they also did it). It happened, but the good thing is that people accept you the way who you are. Today wherever I go, I am accepted, it is a blessing. (It’s all) thanks to my audience that I am happy being myself. I didn’t expect this, I didn’t…”
Now that Vijay has been steadily developing his filmography in Bollywood, the actor says he’s being recognised more and the love he receives from his fans gives him the proof he is moving in the “right direction.” He says, “I believe fans are fans and their love is so true. Receiving love from fans is like an energy drink. When people love you, it gives you hope that your work has reached people and they have understood and they really like your work. That’s what I understood from the fan clubs. That always gives me energy.”
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“When I first started coming to Mumbai for Mumbaikar and Gandhi Talks, very few people knew me. Now, a lot of people know me and they come to talk to me about the films and my roles, which makes me feel very happy. At the end of the day, we are doing films for the audience, being actors we want to be loved by the audience. Once we get it, it’s like ok apna raasta toh sahi tarike se chal raha hai (I am in the right direction),” he added.
While Vijay is lauded for his acting talent, there is always a lot of chatter on the internet about the way he dresses up in simple casuals and “chappals” at events and high-end Bollywood functions. The actor confesses that it impacts him, and he gets conscious about his unassuming fashion choices.
“Sometimes I am conscious about my costumes because I believe in wearing what I am comfortable in. Sometimes people say I am showing off, sometimes they say I am too simple. Chappal pehnega toh simple matlab kya (how is wearing slippers equal to bring simple?). But sometimes I am conscious about that also. If I go to functions, I see people dressed up really well, and I get really conscious. So mostly I try to avoid going for get-togethers and meetings generally, otherwise I am comfortable,” he says.
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Vijay says he is looking at his Bollywood career one film at a time. “I don’t have any plans. It’s only that whatever films I do should do business, then only producers will come. If you only want to make good stories, but no producers come then there is no point to it. So, I am very clear that whatever stories, films I do should be hits and reach the audience. What does a hit mean? It’s that most of the audience should watch the film. I am only particular about that, otherwise if I like the story I’ll do it.”
Discussing how he navigated his way into the Hindi film industry and into the hearts of the Hindi speaking audience, Vijay shares that he never thought he would get to work in Bollywood initially. He says, “Aisa kuch nahi tha (noting like that). I am not the sort of person to make plans and stick to them, I believe that when you are open, people may surprise you. When I met Sriram Raghavan for Merry Christmas, maine socha bhi nahi that (I had never imagined) that I’ll do this and work with Katrina Kaif. Mumbaikar is a remake, but for Farzi, I had not expected that I’ll get to work with Raj and DK. I had a very good time when I was working with them.”
“Whereas when we plan something, we have certain expectations and if you are just open then you’ll be surprised. That’s what I like about this industry and the art, you don’t know who will surprise you. If you see any of my Tamil films like Super Deluxe or 96 or Vikram Vedha, I didn’t have any expectations that I am going to act in such films, it just happened. I don’t think I should have expectations, the only expectation that I really have is that whatever story I do, it should entertain the audience and I can impress them,” Vijay concluded.
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Komal RJ PanchalKomal RJ Panchal writes about the entertainment industry at Indian Exp… read more
Vijay Sethupathi says he was body-shamed in Bollywood and Tamil industries, feels ‘conscious’ attending events: ‘I wear chappals’ – The Indian Express
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