Vijay Sethupathi – The Invisible Hero

The pride of Tamil cinema in the modern era is the unassuming star and the consummate actor Vijay Sethupathi who needs nothing more than his sheer talent to penetrate and comfortably occupy the hearts of the audiences. The unique hallmark of VS is that he gets under the skin of his characters so convincingly that we tend to remember Sumaar Moonji Kumar, Das, Prem Kumar or two different versions of Michael more than the man playing them. In celebrating Vijay Sethupathi’s birthday, we take a look at how he became invisible to let his characters shine through.

Michael - 'Pizza'

As the seemingly ordinary pizza delivery boy, Michael, Vijay Sethupathi made him an unforgettable character by breaking many stereotypes like being in a live in relationship and also keeping it in grey.

Prem Kumar - 'Naduvula Konjam Pakkatha Kaanom'

Playing the temporary amnesiac Prem Kumar in ‘NKPK’ Vijay Sethupathi made hitherto common words ‘Paaah’ and ‘Enna Aachu’, to assume new meaning in the vocabulary of the modern youth world.

Das - 'Soodhu Kavvum'

After giving a string of hits few would take on the role of a middle aged conman, but we are talking about Vijay Sethupathi and the answer is yes he will.

Sumaar Moonji Kumar - 'Idharkku Dhaane Aasaipattai Balakumara'

Vijay Sethupathi made the local housing board boy Sumaar Moonji Kumaru into an icon and who can ever forget him tormenting the annachi, harmlessly stalking Kumudha or the hilarious hunt for a quarter bottle with his hapless friend. Not only Kumudha but the entire Tamil audience Happy with VS.

Yamalingam - 'Purambokku Engira Podhuvudamai'

Can anybody imagine what goes on in the mind of a hangman, well Vijay Sethupathi’s Yamalingam sure sheds light on the pain and the agony and also redemption when he finds a cause to live.

Kailasam - 'Orange Mittai'

A grumpy old man who is what he is to hide a much bigger pain within himself can only be brought to life by Vijay Sethupathi and his very look in the film is proof of his invisibility.

'Sethupathi' - Vijay Sethupathi

This character carries half his real name but still there is no connection with the star when you watch VS as the straight as an arrow cop Sethupathi who is just you and me at home.

Michael - 'Iraivi'

If the Michael in ‘Pizza’ carried himself with middle-class sophistication, the Michael in ‘Iraivi’ also by Karthick Subbaraj is raw and rugged with the animal inside struggling to burst out. Vijay Sethupathi takes on the most detestable character in the film and that too when his star ranking is on a fast rise. He chooses to underplay for most parts and then overshadows everyone with his skillful display of raw emotions in the violent scenes.

Veda - 'Vikram Veda'

The upcoming film by Pushkar Gayathri has Madhavan playing a Vikramadityan like relentless cop and Vijay Sethupathi a stubborn Vedalam like gangster Veda. Just the look from the film that has been released prove what we are talking about and how he becomes invisible to make his characters shine.Happy Birthday once again Vijay Sethupathi and wishing you hundreds of different roles to portray in a way only you can in the future.