He has worked his way up from a minor character actor in films like ‘Pudupettai’, ‘Naan Mahaan Alla’ and ‘Sundarapandian’ to become one of the most respected actors of the current generation, but it all does not seem to affect Vijay Sethupathi as he remains down to earth and in this exclusive IG Tamil interview the ‘Orange Mittai’ hero gives a frank, no holds barred interview.

Judging from the trailer ‘Orange Mittai’ looks like a dark comedy involving just three characters. Can you elaborate on that?

Like I said in the teaser it is about a journey in an ambulance carrying an old man and involves him, the driver and the Emergency Medical Technician (EMT). For the hero the old man will remind him of his late father and the old man is reminded of his son when he sees the hero. The film will have the sweetness when the boy suffers at the hands of the old man and at a stage a question will arise whether the old man is really sick or he is faking it.

Every Producer will go for a commercial venture that guarantees returns, but this looks more arty so how confident are you about how the audience will receive the film?

My intention is to make the film reach as many people as possible. This is a very realistic film with comedy that the story demands and everyone is assured a jolly good time. I’ve seen the film and I feel it is a commercial entertainer.

You have already done an aged role in ‘Soodhu Kavvum’ which had a very good reach all over so why did you go for a similar look in ‘Orange Mittai’?

There is absolutely no connection between the characters of ‘Soodhu Kavvum’ and ‘Orange Mittai’. In the former I played a character that is aged between thirty seven and forty, while in this I play an aged patient and people will see a completely different person.

You have projected your ‘Soodhu Kavvum’ costar Ramesh Thilak as hero in this film and so far he has only done character roles and is it because of your friendship he got this role?

It is definitely not because of friendship as Ramesh is a very talented and deserving person for whom I took a liking in the ‘Soodhu Kavvum‘ days itself and when he auditioned for the role we decided he is the right person. You’ve got to see him in satirical and comedy roles so far, but in this film he has got a very subtle role and he plays a very sweet and nice person. He is an artist with very good timing sense and this role will take him places.

We have seen Vijay Sethupathi in many different roles in your films so far, but you have turned lyricist, is that a long time dream?

No, not at all. First of all I myself cannot accept me as a lyricist. We had an idea of making a song based on the Panchathanthra tales and relate it to our story but that did not work out. So we decided to write our story in the Panchathanthra style likening myself to a lion, Ramesh to a rabbit and Arumugam who plays the driver to a fox. The other song that I wrote is simply a meaningless song ‘straightaa poi left eduthu…. And we used one of Shakespeare’s quote and one more dialogue and I don’t think you can call me a lyricist . Honestly in this film I like the song ‘Theeratha aasaigal’, written by Justin Prabhakaran.

You are saying you have written a meaningless song, but nowadays such kind of songs become hits?

We did not take inspiration from that we took a meaningless theme and struggled to make it a song.

Vijay Sethupathi the singer...?

Actually the director Biju Viswanath and Justin Prabhakar the music director forced me to sing the song which is going to be used for promotional activities. I won't say I sang, but Justin made it look like I sang and no I am not going to sing a few lines for you. I was already telling my friends that because of this song many people are going to ask me to sing (laughs) everywhere I go.

Research tells us that your director Biju Vishwanath has done French films, Chinese films and many documentaries and short films…How did you bring to Tamil Cinema?

‘Kaaka Muttai ‘ Manikandan used to speak about him and one day we met unexpectedly in a coffee shop, we started speaking and he narrated ‘Orange Mittai’ to me and I loved the script and referred him to many producers but nothing worked out and then we decided to do it ourselves. My school friend, Common Man Ganesh, also wanted to join in and after listening to the script he too jumped in.

We heard that you have contributed to the screenplay is it true?

‘Orange Mittai’ is scripted by Biju sir, and I have supported him a little in the dialogue portions.

Do you wish to direct? When can we expect director Vijay Sethupathi?

I won’t say I don’t have that thought. I respect, the Director a lot and only when I feel I am worthy and have the confidence of doing the job I will become a director and I will only do so in my own production and will not risk someone else’s money.

You have done quite a few multi starrers and are you comfortable being one of the heroes?

If the story demands it, I will definitely do it. I am glad that I’ve been part of some good movies like ‘Purampokku Engira Podhuvudamai’. I have enjoyed doing ‘Idam Porul Yaeval’ with Vishnu, ‘Vanmam’ with Krishna, but I have decided to cut down on multistarrers and concentrate on solo hero films.

Tell us about the experience of working with ‘Premam’ fame Madonna in your new film?

Madonna is a very sensible actress and she is so conscious of never overacting in any scene so much so that I had to tell her sometimes to exaggerate a little bit. Even though her career has just begun she is very clear about how to present herself and she is very honest about it and I am sure she will come up very strongly.

Your experience of working with Nayantara?

She is a senior artiste and I was a little scared to act with her, but she was very comfortable on the sets and she is one person who respects everyone and she concentrates on every frame. She is very duty conscious

Technically rumors spread about affairs between a hero and heroine, but in ‘Naanum Rowdhydhaan’ it spread about director Vignesh Sivan and Nayantara, Is there some truth to it?

You should ask them that and I am not the person to answer that.

Tell us about the music of ‘Orange Mittai’?

Justin Prabhakar has done the