Actor Vijay Sethupathi, widely admired for his versatile roles, recently surprised fans by signing a film with Puri Jagannath, a director whose recent box office track record has been rocky. The announcement sparked mixed reactions, with many questioning his choice.

Addressing the criticism in a recent interview, Vijay clarified his stance:
“Why judge a filmmaker by his recent failures?” he said. “I don’t choose projects based on a director’s past success or failure. If I like the script, I go for it. This one is a full-on action film—something I haven’t attempted before. It’s important for me to explore new genres and avoid repetition.”

The untitled film also features Tabu in a significant role. Speaking about her, Vijay said,
“She’s a brilliant actress. I’ve never worked with her before, so I’m really looking forward to sharing screen space with such a seasoned performer.”

On the success and impact of his recent release ‘Maharaja’, Vijay shared that the film was deeply personal.
“Maharaja dealt with child abuse—a subject that hits close to home, especially as a father to a daughter. It was emotionally intense and, I’d say, my toughest role to date. Films with strong social messages are my strength, but I also enjoy entertaining commercial films. I want to balance both.”

Sethupathi’s open-minded approach continues to set him apart in an industry often driven by trends.