Vijay Sethupathi’s rugged first look from Slum Dog takes the internet by storm

Vijay Sethupathi first look out

• Vijay Sethupathi's new film with Puri Jagannadh is titled Slum Dog
• First look poster shows Sethupathi in a raw, intense avatar set in a gritty slum
• Slum Dog aims for a pan-India release in five languages with a star-studded cast

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Vijay Sethupathi gave fans a memorable birthday surprise this year by unveiling the title and first look of his much-awaited film with director Puri Jagannadh.

On 16 January 2026, the makers revealed that the film is titled Slum Dog, along with a powerful poster that instantly caught attention online.

Currently in post-production, the film is being jointly produced by Puri Jagannadh and Charmme Kaur under Puri Connects, along with JB Narayan Rao Kondrolla of JB Motion Pictures.

The first-look poster shows Vijay Sethupathi in one of his most raw and striking avatars yet. With dishevelled hair, a thick beard and worn-out clothing resembling a beggar’s attire, the actor looks intense and unrecognisable.

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A flowing scarf, heavy boots and a massive sickle raised above his head add to the dramatic visual, while bundles of cash swirl around him in a fog-covered slum. The gritty image, paired with the intriguing tagline 33 Temple Road, hints at a dark, hard-hitting story rooted in conflict and survival.

Joining Vijay Sethupathi in Slum Dog is Samyuktha as the female lead, with Tabu and Duniya Vijay Kumar stepping in as key supporting characters.

The cast is further strengthened by familiar faces such as Brahmanandam and VTV Ganesh. The film began shooting in July last year, with large-scale action sequences wrapped up by October, before the team completed the remaining portions of principal photography.

Music for the film is being composed by National Award winner Harshavardhan Rameshwar, whose work in Arjun Reddy and Animal left a strong impression on audiences.

The makers are aiming for a pan-India release, with Slum Dog set to arrive in cinemas in Telugu, Tamil, Kannada, Malayalam and Hindi, ensuring the film reaches viewers across the country.

Also Read: When Vijay Sethupathi was accused of asking for ‘caravan favours’ from a female co-actor

Sharing their vision for the project, the makers described it as a “mass and commercial entertainer”, adding that it brings together “Puri Jagannadh’s style with Vijay Sethupathi’s strong screen presence.” They also spoke about Samyuktha’s role, noting that it carries emotional weight and that the actor is “happy with her character.”

Vijay Sethupathi was last seen in Thalaivan Thalaivii and continues to balance a wide range of roles. He recently confirmed in an interview with The Hollywood Reporter that he will also be making a cameo appearance in Rajinikanth’s Jailer 2, keeping fans excited about what lies ahead.