Vijay Sethupathi - Makkal Selvan
Biography
Early Life / Childhood
Vijaya Gurunatha Sethupathi Kalimuthu, professionally known as Vijay Sethupathi (born 16 Jan 1979), and born and raised in Rajapalayam until he moved to Chennai in his early school days. He lived in Kodambakkam located in Chennai. He studied at the MGR Higher Secondary School in Kodambakkam. According to him, he was a "below-average student right from school" and was neither interested in sports nor extra-curricular activities. At the age of 16, he auditioned for a role in Nammavar (1994), but was rejected due to his short height.
As a Youth
He graduated with a Bachelor of Commerce degree from the Dhanraj Baid Jain College, Chennai. He first joined as an accounts assistant at a wholesale cement business. He then moved to Dubai, United Arab Emirates as an accountant. While in Dubai, he met his future-wife, Jessie, online. The two dated and eventually married in 2003.
Odd Jobs / Uncertain times
Unhappy with his job, he returned to India in 2003. After a brief stint in the interior decoration business with friends, he joined a marketing company that dealt with readymade kitchens. He Subsequently joined as accountant in the Chennai based theatre group “Koothupattarai” for his survival and to continue is acting career, where had the opportunity to observe the actors from close quarters.
Foray into Films
He began his career in the film industry as a background actor, taking on minor supporting roles for over five years in films such as M Kumaran Son of Mahalakshmi, Dishyum, Pudhupettai, Lee, Venila Kabadi Kuzhu, Naan Mahan Illah, and several short films including Athiyayam, Neer, Thuru, Wind, Maa Thavam, Kadhalithu Paar, The Angel, Bench Talkies, and Petti Case. His first leading role came in Seenu Ramasamy's Thenmerku Paruvakaatru (2010), an action-drama that won three National Awards. He further showcased his versatility by playing a villain in Sundarapandian (2012), followed by breakthrough roles in Pizza (2012), a horror-thriller, Naduvula Konjam Pakkatha Kaanom (2012), a comedy, and Soodhu Kavvum (2013), a comedy-thriller. With over 16 years of dedicated experience, he became one of the most sought-after actors in the Indian film industry.
Family
They have two children, a son Surya and a daughter Shreeja. He named his son Surya in the remembrance of his friend who died during his school days. Surya made his acting debut playing the younger version of Sethupathi in ‘Naanum Rowdy Dhaan’ (2015). Surya appeared with his father again in ‘Sindhubaadh’ (2019).
Foray into Films
He began his career in the film industry as a background actor, taking on minor supporting roles for over five years in films such as M Kumaran Son of Mahalakshmi, Dishyum, Pudhupettai, Lee, Venila Kabadi Kuzhu, Naan Mahan Illah, and several short films including Athiyayam, Neer, Thuru, Wind, Maa Thavam, Kadhalithu Paar, The Angel, Bench Talkies, and Petti Case. His first leading role came in Seenu Ramasamy's Thenmerku Paruvakaatru (2010), an action-drama that won three National Awards. He further showcased his versatility by playing a villain in Sundarapandian (2012), followed by breakthrough roles in Pizza (2012), a horror-thriller, Naduvula Konjam Pakkatha Kaanom (2012), a comedy, and Soodhu Kavvum (2013), a comedy-thriller. With over 16 years of dedicated experience, he became one of the most sought-after actors in the Indian film industry.
Early Life / Childhood
Vijaya Gurunatha Sethupathi Kalimuthu, professionally known as Vijay Sethupathi, was born on January 16, 1979, in Rajapalayam. He grew up there before relocating to Chennai during his early school years. He attended MGR Higher Secondary School in Kodambakkam. Sethupathi has mentioned that he was a "below-average student" throughout his school years, showing little interest in sports or extracurricular activities. At the age of 16, he ventured into acting by auditioning as a junior artist for the film Nammavar (1994), but was rejected due to his short height. Despite these early setbacks, his persistence in pursuing acting eventually led to a successful career.
Vijay Sethupathi completed his Bachelor of Commerce degree from Dhanraj Baid Jain College in Chennai. Initially, he worked as an accounts assistant at a wholesale cement business, and later moved to Dubai, UAE, where he continued his work as an accountant.
Odd Jobs / Uncertain times
Unfulfilled with his job in Dubai, Sethupathi returned to India in 2003, where he got married to Ms. Jessi. He briefly ventured into the interior decoration business with friends before joining a marketing company dealing with readymade kitchens. However, his passion for acting led him to take up a job as an accountant with the Chennai-based theatre group Koothupattarai. This role allowed him to immerse himself in the theater world, where he had the chance to observe actors up close, further fueling his desire to pursue acting.
Family
Sethupathi and his wife Jessi have two children, a son named Surya and a daughter named Shreeja. He named his son in honor of his late school friend, Surya, who passed away during their school days.
As a Writer / Lyricist
In addition to acting, Sethupathi also dabbled in writing. He penned the dialogues for his film Orange Mittai - (2015), showcasing his creativity beyond the camera.
Vijay Sethupathi is turning lyricist with Raju Jeyamohan’s Bun Butter Jam. Interestingly, he has penned the lyrics for the song titled Eternal Subway (Yedho Pesathaney - ), which has been sung by another notable actor, Siddharth, along with Shilpa Rao.
