During a promotional event for his latest film, 'MahaRaja', Vijay Sethupathi faced a question that has sparked debates and discussions in the film industry for years. The reporter inquired about his opinion on the common trend of male stars romancing much younger actresses on screen. Clearly annoyed, Sethupathi firmly dismissed the question, urging the reporter to "please leave it."
Sethupathi's reaction stemmed from his frustration with repeatedly addressing this topic. He responded, “I have spoken about it already,” referring to his past statements on similar questions. He elaborated on an instance involving actress Krithi Shetty during the filming of 'Uppena' in 2021.
“I acted with Krithi Shetty in Uppena, and later, a director told me let’s approach her for another film as a heroine. I said no because I had asked her to consider me as a dad during the climax sequence of Uppena. So, I said no.”
The actor’s refusal to romanticize younger actresses reflects his personal boundaries and ethical stance in the industry. He emphasized this by imagining a scenario where Shetty might have refused to work with him for the same reason. “What if she had told me that she doesn’t want to act with me because ‘this man has asked me to consider him as dad’. She can say no also. I have answered this question earlier. Please leave it,” he reiterated.
In a previous interview, Sethupathi had addressed the age gap issue when discussing his Tamil film 'DSP'. He revealed that he declined the offer to be paired opposite Krithi Shetty for the lead role in 'DSP' due to the significant age gap between them. “I declined the offer of being paired opposite Krithi in DSP movie. I played her father in Uppena, which the makers didn’t know about. There’s a scene in Uppena that Krithi was nervous about when we were shooting. I even asked her to think of me as her real father while we were shooting that. She is a little older than my son. I told them I couldn’t do it.”
Sethupathi’s firm stance on this issue has sparked a healthy debate on social media. Many have applauded his approach, highlighting the often-overlooked ethical considerations in casting choices. The trend of older male actors romancing actresses significantly younger than themselves has been a longstanding one in Indian cinema, often drawing criticism for perpetuating unrealistic and patriarchal norms.
During the press meet, Sethupathi also touched upon other topics, showcasing his diverse range of thoughts and opinions. He praised ‘Power Star’ Pawan Kalyan for his consistency and achievements in both his film and political careers. “He has proven that he is not just a mass hero in films but also as a person. It is all because of consistency. I asked people what the fuss is all about and they said what he has actually achieved. Despite all the trolling, he has made it,” Sethupathi said, adding a layer of admiration for Kalyan’s perseverance.
Discover the latest Business News, Sensex, and Nifty updates. Obtain Personal Finance insights, tax queries, and expert opinions on Moneycontrol or download the Moneycontrol App to stay updated!
