During the pandemic, Sethupathi became the face of OTT content in Tamil cinema, releasing multiple films directly on streaming platforms — a risky move that normalized digital-first stardom.
Trends:
| Year | Film | Why It Matters | |------|------|----------------| | 2013 | Soodhu Kavvum | Dark comedy about kidnappers. He played a philosophical, middle-aged, pot-bellied gangster. Subverted the “young hero” trope. | | 2013 | Idharkuthane Aasaipattai Balakumara | Drunken, flawed, lovable loser — a role no mainstream hero would touch. | | 2014 | Pannaiyarum Padminiyum | Car-loving village head. Warm, restrained, nostalgic. Showed his range in non-commercial space. | | 2015 | Naanum Rowdy Dhan | Rowdy with a heart. Quirky romance + dark comedy. His chemistry with Nayanthara became legendary. |
Directed by Seenu Ramasamy, this National Award-winning drama marked Sethupathi's debut as a lead actor. He delivered a grounded performance as a shepherd caught in a volatile family dynamic. vijay sethupathi tamil movie list
During this period, Sethupathi solidified his reputation for selecting unique scripts and working with debutant directors:
In Soodhu Kavvum , he played Das, a failed revolutionary who leads a band of kidnappers. It was a role that required him to balance absurdity with profound melancholy. He wasn't a hero saving the day; he was a victim of societal apathy. This refusal to adhere to "heroic" morality reached its zenith in Vikram Vedha . As Vedha, a gangster with a moral compass more defined than the cop hunting him, Sethupathi didn't just steal the movie; he rendered the concept of a "hero" and "villain" obsolete. He spoke a dialect of Chennai Tamil that felt lived-in, not performed, creating a character that was terrifying yet lovable.
(2024) : His milestone 50th film that became a massive international hit, featuring him as a simple barber seeking justice. Soodhu Kavvum During the pandemic, Sethupathi became the face of
| Year | Movie Title | Role | Notes | |------|-------------|------|-------| | 2010 | Thenmerku Paruvakaatru | Murugan | Debut film | | 2010 | Naan Mahan Alla | K. Selvam | Supporting role | | 2012 | Sundarapandian | Sundarapandian | First lead role | | 2012 | Pizza | Michael | Breakthrough hit | | 2012 | Naduvula Konjam Pakkatha Kaanom | Sampath | Cult classic | | 2013 | Soodhu Kavvum | Das | Black comedy hit | | 2013 | Idharkuthane Aasaipattai Balakumara | Kumaran | Comedy role | | 2013 | Rummy | Sakthi | Romantic drama | | 2013 | Pannaiyarum Padminiyum | Murugan | Critically acclaimed |
Vijay Sethupathi, fondly known as “Makkal Selvan” (People’s Treasure), is one of the most versatile actors in Indian cinema. From a humble background as a chartered accountant and NRI accountant to becoming a bankable star, his journey is inspiring. Known for choosing unconventional scripts, he has delivered numerous hits, cult classics, and critically acclaimed performances.
A cult comedy based on real-life short-term memory loss. The Rise to Superstardom (2013–2018) Subverted the “young hero” trope
Recognizing his menacing screen presence, top directors cast him opposite major superstars, resulting in record-breaking box office numbers across different languages.
| Year | Film | Notes | |------|------|-------| | 2019 | Super Deluxe | . He played a trans woman (Shilpa) in one segment. Daring, sensitive, unforgettable. The film is a cult classic for its nonlinear, philosophical chaos. | | 2019 | Nadodigal 2 | Commercial entertainer (mixed results). | | 2020 | Master (cameo) | As the antagonist’s aide — stole scenes in limited time. | | 2021 | Kadaisi Vivasayi | Cameo as a forest officer. Art-house masterpiece by M. Manikandan. | | 2021 | Laabam | Political drama (box office failure, but not his performance). | | 2021 | Tughlaq Durbar | Political satire on OTT. | | 2021 | Annabelle Sethupathi | Horror-comedy (critically weak, but he played dual roles including a ghost). |