Vijay Sethupathi is undeniably the most remarkable actor to emerge from Tamil cinema in the last two decades. Before pursuing a career in acting, he worked a number of odd jobs and even worked as an accountant in Dubai for a while. Then, he continued his accountant job for “Koothupattarai” (an eminent Tamil theatre group). The actor recalls that while working there, he met the master filmmaker and cinematographer Balu Mahendra, who told Vijay Sethupathi that he has a ‘very photogenic’ face. Vijay Sethupathi gradually got into acting, and he played one of the thugs in the Dhanush starrer “Pudhupettai” (2006). He had a few other unrecognizable roles in “Vennila Kabadi Kuzhu” and “Naan Mahaan Alla.”
Vijay Sethupathi eventually landed his first lead role in “Thenmarku Paruvakaatru” (2010). During this time, the actor was also part of several short films that were screened at the talent show “Nalaiya Iyakunar.” Karthik Subbaraj, his friend and frequent collaborator in the short films, cast Vijay Sethupathi in his debut feature “Pizza.” This low-budget horror thriller was the biggest industry hit of the year and launched Vijay Sethupathi as a promising actor. In the next few years, VJS delivered more than what he promised, choosing versatile roles in different genre films.
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There’s a distinctive presence and intensity that often enhances Vijay Sethupathi’s roles rather than detracting from them. Like most of the film industries in India, Tamil cinema is an image-obsessed industry. Its actors, especially when they become stars, must cultivate and maintain an image on and off-screen. From the earlier phase of his career, Vijay Sethupathi was able to break from such conventions and mold himself according to what his characters demanded. The actor has also had dull phases in his career and faced a downward trajectory due to certain acting obligations. Yet Vijay Sethupathi is a genuine and committed artist who could always bounce back and wow the audience with one of his understated performances. It’s a joy to have witnessed the growth of such a marvelous actor. Here are his fifteen best movie performances out of the fifty films he has done so far.
15. Dharma Durai (2016)
Rural backdrops in Tamil cinema evolved from the 2000s and didn’t limit themselves to satiating the commercial prospects in the B and C centers. From “Virumandi,” “Paruthi Veeran,” to “Pariyerum Perumal” and “Asuran,” rural subjects have focused on several sociopolitical and sociocultural issues native to the region. With its simple visual narrative pattern and robust scripts, Seenu Ramasamy’s films (“Thenmerku Paruvakaatru,” where VJS played his first major role) perfectly capture the social and cultural identity further anchored by the emotive protagonists. Of course, his films’ contrived melodrama and moral pronouncements can be a little too much.
But when one of Ramasamy’s emotional dramas is spearheaded by an in-form Vijay Sethupathi, it’s a compelling watch. A doctor haunted by his tragic past, Vijay Sethupathi’s titular character is introduced as the village drunk, causing embarrassment for his family. The actor effortlessly plays the erratic character without turning it into a shtick. Sethupathi’s wildly funny dance performance in the “Makka Kalanguthappa” song is one of his most enjoyable screen moments. The acting feels too corny in the medical college portions. But for the most part, Vijay Sethupathi captivates us with his character’s journey. He is also well supported by actors like Tamannah and Radhika.
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14. Kadaisi Vivasayi (2021)
Vijay Sethupathi’s Ramaiah in Manikandan’s “Kadaisi Vivasayi” (“The Last Farmer”) is a mentally challenged nomad whose character doesn’t directly impact the central storyline of an old innocent farmer imprisoned due to a misunderstanding. His appearance is more like an extended cameo, yet this is one of the actor’s best ones among his most unconventional roles. At its core, Manikandan’s film focuses on the themes of spirituality and transcendence. Ramaiah – a devotee of Lord Murugan – is an embodiment of this spirituality who remains unbothered by worldly desires.
Accompanied by an unseen life partner, Ramaiah’s naturalistic banter with the farmer Nallandi is poignant to watch. It is to Manikandan and Vijay Sethupathi’s credit Ramaiah becomes an integral part of the film’s thesis. Despite limited screen time, the actor makes the most of it, particularly his brilliant expression when a saint acknowledges the presence of Ramaiah’s lover and when Ramaiah achieves ‘transcendence’ on a hilltop. More commendable is the audacity of an established actor to play a character that might seem redundant on paper.
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13. Pannaiyarum Padminiyum (2014)
Vijay Sethupathi might have played the central characters in films like “Pizza” and “NKPK,” but none of his earlier roles can be identified as a typical ‘Tamil hero.’ In fact, except for “Sethupathi” (2016), it led to commercial disaster whenever the actor tried to be a goons-bashing mainstream hero. In S.U. Arun Kumar’s (“Chithha”) directorial debut, “Pannaiyarum Padminiyum,” Vijay Sethupathi feels at home, playing a charming character that mostly feels like a co-lead. While star vehicles are the norm in Tamil cinema, a vehicle remains the star here. It revolves around a kindhearted old man and his love for a car (Premier Padmini).
Jayaprakash plays the titular Pannaiyar, whereas Vijay Sethupathi plays the driver Murugesan, who the Pannaiyar appoints to train him to drive the car. The heartwarming relationship between Murugesan and the old couple (Pannaiyar and Chellamma) is the crux of the narrative. Writer/director Arun has turned his short into a feature-length film, and at times, it definitely feels stretched or padded. Yet the feel-good factor combined with the assured performances of Vijay Sethupathi and Jayaprakash makes this a delightful movie experience. There’s a fresh appeal to VJS’ earnest performance here that’s somewhat missing in his most dramatic roles.
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12. Iraivi (2016)
Kalaignar TV’s reality show “Nalaiya Iyakunar,” which had its first season in 2009, gave many new-age Tamil filmmakers a platform. Aspiring amateur filmmakers made a few short films across genres that helped them mold their craft. Karthik Subbaraj, Alphonse Puthren, Nalan Kumarasamy, and Nithilan Swaminathan are some of the youngsters who participated in the show and later became well-known filmmakers. While Vijay Sethupathi has worked with quite a few of the “Nalaiya Iyakunar” filmmakers during the short film days, his frequent collaborator was Karthik Subbaraj (most of the shorts are available on YouTube). VJS naturally became the filmmaker’s go-to choice for his debut film’s protagonist. After making a guest appearance in Karthik’s second film, “Jigarthanda,” Vijay Sethupathi played one of the leads in the filmmaker’s third film, “Iraivi” (“Goddess”).
The film largely revolves around three men—Arul, Jegan, and Michael—whose egoistic natures and destructive tendencies impact the women in the family. Sethupathi’s Michael is a flawed, quick-tempered guy who plays the character in an understated manner. The scenes he shares with Anjali are some of the most memorable portions of the movie. Moreover, the way he showcases his vulnerability and ferocity in the fateful moment with Bobby Simha’s character is brilliant. However, “Iraivi” is heavy on symbolism and gets increasingly contrived towards the end. Still, it’s the performances that hold the film, and “Iraivi” kind of launched filmmaker SJ Surya as a powerful actor.
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11. Master (2021)
Karthik Subbaraj’s “Petta” (2019) was a very entertaining ‘fan service’ movie. But a total Rajnikanth supremacy in a film most often reduces the villains into punchlines and caricatures. Vijay Sethupathi naturally drew the short end of the stick in “Petta.” But interestingly, VJS chose to play the antagonist in three more star films. The well-written character among these three is easily Bhavani in Lokesh Kanagaraj’s “Master.” There are instances in Tamil cinema where villain performers have gradually become heroes (Rajinikanth, Sathyaraj, and Sarath Kumar). However, Vijay Sethupathi went from being a hero to a villain, and Bhavani isn’t the kind of ‘forgivable’ criminal who has a change of heart in the end.
This out-and-out ruthless character is made all the more compelling by VJS’s coolheaded performance. Star vehicles are always different beasts, and antagonists are rarely given space to steal the show from the star. But this Vijay starrer offered quite a few powerful moments for VJS’ villain, the most memorable moment being the casually brutal manner in which Bhavani retaliates on the protagonist JD’s intimidation. Vijay Sethupathi was equally menacing in “Vikram” (2022). He sported a different look and incorporated unique mannerisms to embody Santhanam in “Vikram.” Nevertheless, it is an underwritten character who is reduced to being a glowering spectator in the movie’s second half.
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10. Maharaja (2024)
While Vijay Sethupathi’s performance in “Merry Christmas” was appreciated by movie lovers, the actor still needed a solid industry hit. Thankfully, Nithilan Swaminathan delivered one in his second directorial venture, “Maharaja.” While most mainstream Indian actors choose roles where they don’t play their age, VJS has never had qualms about playing his age or even taking up older roles. In “Maharaja,” the 46-year-old actor plays a reticent middle-aged man whose world revolves around his teenage daughter and his barbershop. This 50th Vijay Sethupathi film doesn’t feature the familiar ‘mass’ moments. In fact, his titular character gets beaten around and threatened a lot in his pursuit of vigilante justice.
“Maharaja” isn’t an average revenge tale. The protagonist himself is a prisoner of his circumstances. Though he determinedly pursues vengeance, the truth he uncovers is hard to digest. Such a character needs to be played with the right amount of restraint and emotionality, and as usual, Vijay Sethupathi makes it all look effortless. “Maharaja” has its share of flaws in terms of tone and themes, yet the actor brilliantly shoulders this hard-hitting tale. The critical and commercial success of “Maharaja” will hopefully lead to a new, better phase in VJS’ acting career.
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9. Orange Mittai (2015)
Apart from playing the central old man character in Biju Vishwanath’s Orange Mittai, Vijay Sethupathi has also produced and co-written the film. Unlike the actor’s roles in “Soodhu Kavvum” and “Balakumara,” Kailasam in “Orange Mittai” feels a bit too unconventional to work with the mainstream audience. Of course, the 100-minute film didn’t do well commercially. Yet these are the roles that made him stand out from the flock and deliver some fearless performances. “Orange Mittai” is a road movie of sorts featuring a grumpy and lonely 55-year-old man and an earnest young paramedic, Satya (Ramesh Thilak).
Estranged from his son and living in a slowly decaying household, VJS’ Kailasam claims to be critically ill and calls for the emergency ambulance service. The meandering journey to the hospital from Kailasam’s village home forms the crux of the narrative. While Vijay Sethupathi later played a 70-year-old character in “Seethakathi” (2018) with prosthetic makeup, neither the premise nor the characterization of that film worked for me. In “Orange Mittai,” despite the obvious make-up choices, the actor looks convincing as the stubborn and demanding old man. There’s nothing much unpredictable in the tale, but the thoughtful and nuanced performances of Sethupathi and Thilak keep us hooked. Kailasam will remain a testament to the actor’s incredible versatility.
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8. Naduvula Konjam Pakkatha Kaanom (2012)
Balaji Tharaneetharan’s comedy-drama has a unique premise: a young man experiencing memory loss after a head injury caused by a cricket ball. Vijay Sethupathi’s Prem Kumar has no memory of his recent past, including his girlfriend, with whom he is to be married in three days. A series of (extended) misadventures follow as Prem’s friends help him regain his memory and smoothly execute the wedding ceremony. Vijay Sethupathi’s Prem sports a consistently funny, baffled expression as he keeps repeating the same thing that chronicles the moment before his accident (I never thought ‘medulla oblongata’ could evoke such hilarity!).
It’s fascinating how, despite repeating certain dialogues, the mix of confusion and innocence in the actor’s facial expressions never makes the proceedings dull. The three actors who play Prem’s friends are also equally good. While Karthik Subbaraj’s “Pizza,” which was released a month before “NKPK,” became VJS’ breakthrough role, that film was primarily driven by its twists. On the other hand, Sethupathi’s terrific performance is central to NKPK’s success. Whether it’s visual or dialogue-oriented gags, Vijay Sethupathi effortlessly masters them. There’s also a strong relatability factor to the characters and their social milieu that makes the funny moments appear organic.
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7. Merry Christmas (2024)
After “96” (2018), most of Vijay Sethupathi’s solo lead movies were commercial failures. The actor not only did too many cameos but also played villains for the big stars. Though those star vehicles were blockbusters, Vijay Setupathi’s ability to deliver a hit as a leading man was getting scrutinized by the industry people. While “Super Deluxe” brought the actor national fame, and his darkly humorous turn in the web series “Farzi” took him to the Hindi audience, there was still skepticism over Vijay Sethupathi headlining a Hindi feature film. Unfortunately, Sriram Raghavan’s “Merry Christmas” didn’t do well at the box office. Yet, it’s a damn good slow-burn thriller that brought back the witty and charming Vijay Sethupathi.
The oddball pairing of Sethupathi and Katrina Kaif works to the film’s advantage, as the undercurrent of romance in the first half provides rich character moments. Though VJS’ Albert withholds the goofy charm we witness in most of the actor’s roles, Mr. Raghavan infuses a few dark shades that bring together a fascinating character arc for Albert. Once again, Vijay Sethupathi makes his character’s flaws and vulnerability entirely believable. It’s this kind of subtle and evocative screen presence that the actor can always gracefully deliver.
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6. Super Deluxe (2019)
The one thing people repeatedly say about Vijay Sethupathi is that he can’t be boxed into a single category. But still, it’s audacious for an uncategorizable performer to play a marginalized and abused trans woman. Despite making only two feature films (in the nearly fifteen-year directorial career), Thiagarajan Kumararaja has attained a cult status. While his movies didn’t perfectly work for me, there are plenty of fascinating moments and never-before-seen characters in mainstream Tamil cinema. With Shilpa in “Super Deluxe,” VJS and Kumararaja take a flawed and denigrated individual and give voice to the character’s pain and desires.
The ambitious and richly detailed hyperlink, non-linear narrative focuses on people shunned by society’s collective morality. While the other characters face condemnation for their ‘wrong’ deeds, Shilpa is casually dismissed for her appearance. The dynamics between Shilpa and her son Rasukutty are the most endearing portions of the film. There will be strenuous objection to the casting of a cis male actor to play a trans woman. But considering Tamil cinema’s long history of vilifying and stereotyping trans characters, Vijay Sethupathi’s Shilpa is a leap of progress. The actor also infuses dignity and elicits empathy for the character, though I still feel the unbearably drawn-out sexual humiliation of the character could have been cut short.
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5. Aandavan Kattalai (2016)
Kaaka Muttai-fame Manikandan’s third film, “Aandavan Kattalai,” has the feel of a naturalistic Malayalam film – featuring a simple story layered with clever characterizations and a social message that isn’t overtly preachy. Vijay Sethupathi plays Gandhi, a debt-ridden villager who attempts to fraudulently obtain a passport and work illegally in the UK. He is accompanied by his friend, Pandi (Yogi Babu at his hilarious best). Gandhi gets in touch with a broker, who coaches him on the ways to get around the system. Yet an honest answer to a visa interview question keeps Gandhi indefinitely in Chennai. While navigating the red tape and the challenges of the urban environment, Gandhi realizes one can actually move forward in life by being honest.
Vijay Sethupathi once again effortlessly aces the easygoing character, marked by a touch of naivete. It’s the kind of realistic portrayal that touches a broad spectrum of emotions, yet the performance doesn’t feel ‘dramatic.’ The unique and understated nature of his dialogue delivery works perfectly. Manikandan’s outstanding writing skills and ability to extract naturalistic performances from actors (the ensemble cast includes Ritika Singh, Nasser, and George Maryan) are also the primary reasons why “Aandavan Kattalai” is such an entertaining film.
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4. Vikram Vedha (2017)
Pushkar & Gayatri’s compelling non-linear gangster drama, “Vikram Vedha,” revolves around a cat-and-mouse game between an ‘encounter specialist’ cop, Vikram (Madhavan), and a ruthless killer, Vedha (Vijay Sethupathi). Like the spirit of Betaal haunting King Vikramaditya in the mythological tales, Vedha’s narration of his life story raises puzzling moral questions for the no-nonsense cop, Vikram. There might be nothing original about “Vikram Vedha.” But it finely recontextualizes a familiar tale of goons and cops, spearheaded by a crowd-pleasing Vijay Sethupathi performance. From the moment Vedha casually strolls through the commissioner’s office to surrender himself (while an entire battalion of police force prepares to arrest him in his neighborhood), VJS perfectly balances between the mass and nuanced moments.
Although “Sethupathi” (2016) tried establishing VJS as a mass hero (yielding good results commercially), the actor isn’t a good fit for such tailor-made roles. In “Vikram Vedha,” Vijay Sethupathi’s mass aura is cultivated due to good writing, and his performance is superbly complemented by Madhavan’s very assured screen presence. The controlled manner with which Vijay Sethupathi expresses his grief and unleashes his rage doesn’t turn Vedha into a larger-than-life hero. The swag with which the actor embodied this morally grey character perhaps later pushed filmmakers to cast him in the under-written villain roles.
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3. 96 (2018)
Prem Kumar’s “96” has all the tropes of a conventional romance drama that intends to deliver a healthy dose of nostalgia and melancholia. But the best thing about “96” is the restrained manner in which the filmmaker and actors bring alive this familiar tale of adolescent love and the heartbreak that follows well into adulthood. Vijay Sethupathi plays a shy and socially awkward 37-year-old loner who nervously anticipates the arrival of his first love, Janaki (Trisha Krishnan), during a school reunion meeting. Over a night, the two emotionally rediscover each other before they resume their everyday lives.
Once the dramatically tense (a bit contrived, too) portions of the school reunion transition into the segment where Ram and Jaanu are comfortable with each other, “96” becomes a captivating and brilliant drama. This is where both the actors perfectly deliver in terms of emotions. The awkward silences, the yearning for a different past, and the looks of frustration are so gracefully conveyed. At times, the assertiveness and air of sophistication with which Trisha plays Jaanu overshadows the telegraphed ‘shyness’ of Vijay Sethupathi. But in the end, both exemplary performances come together to craft an endearing and bittersweet portrait of lost love.
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2. Soodhu Kavvum (2013)
Nalan Kumarasamy’s “Soodhu Kavvum” (“Evil Engulfs”) and Naveen’s “Moodar Koodam” (2013) infused a deliberate zaniness and messiness to their wild storylines, allowing Tamil filmmakers and audiences to embrace the dark comedy genre. While “Pizza” and “NKPK” turned Vijay Sethupathi into a promising actor, it was Das in “Soodhu Kavvum” that put him on the path to stardom, which was strengthened by the blockbuster hits like “Naanum Rowdy Thaan,” and “Sethupathi.” “Soodhu Kavvum” was the first time Vijay Sethupathi’s entry was greeted with whistles and cheers in the theatre. And this was such an unapologetically rapturous movie where the characters’ quirkiness and eccentricities never exhaust you.
VJS’ Das is the biggest misfit among the group of misfits. He plays a mentally ill individual in his mid-40s who ekes out an existence by kidnapping ‘low-risk’ victims. Comedy is always tough, especially in a film like “Soodhu Kavvum,” where the characters’ ridiculous behavior builds the narrative conflicts. Nalan Kumarasamy doesn’t try to offer us insights to empathize with the characters or package it with some moral takeaways. There’s something dark and sad about a man who conjures an imaginary girlfriend to cure his loneliness. But the deadpan countenance and the self-assuredness with which Vijay Sethupathi plays the character never fails to crack us up. He was also supported by a brilliant ensemble cast, including Karunakaran, Bobby Simha, Ramesh Thilak, and MS Bhaskar.
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1. Kadhalum Kadanthu Pogum (2016)
Nalan Kumarasamy’s second directorial venture after “Soodhu Kavvum” was the official remake of the Korean film, “My Dear Desperado” (2010). When I first heard about it, it felt like an odd choice (to remake a mediocre Korean film) for a filmmaker who had already showcased a distinctive voice in his debut feature. Yet, Nalan’s casting choices and storytelling made “Kadhalum Kadanthu Pogum” a remarkable tale of unlikely friendship. Vijay Sethupathi, with his characteristic quirky charm, plays Kathir, a small-time gangster recently released from prison. His neighbor, Yazhini (Madonna Sebastian), is an unemployed graduate who tries to find a job and escape the confined life in her hometown.
“Kadhalum Kadanthu Pogum” doesn’t have an extraordinary plot or action. It’s a deceptively simple tale of two individuals with different temperaments forging an authentic connection that isn’t romantic (also rare in Tamil or Indian cinema). It’s the kind of comfort movie that can be watched for the magical rapport the two leads share with each other. Vijay Sethupathi, as a laconic, not-so-good gangster, is an absolute delight to watch. Playing a thug with a tender heart isn’t a tall ask for Tamil heroes, but VJS’s performance and Nalan’s writing don’t get caught up with the usual cliches that come with such storylines.
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Kathir isn’t much of a fighter. In fact, the prison time has turned him into a good cook rather than a tough guy. His displays of bravado often go wrong, and he is erratic and impulsive, yet there’s a unique mix of humor and pathos in the performance that makes Vijay Sethupathi’s Kathir a convincing and appealing character. It might have been tough for the actor to play a trans woman or work alongside big stars like Rajinikanth, Kamal Haasan, and Shahrukh Khan, and he will have faced remarkable difficulties during the production of Vetrimaaran’s film (the upcoming “Viduthalai: Part 2”). But despite all those great stories behind a Vijay Sethupathi performance, I believe the most essential and entertaining Vijay Sethupathi movies are simple yet charming ones like “Kadhalum Kadanthu Pogum.”
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