Chennai: Vijay Sethupathi has opened up about his experience working in the blockbuster film Jawan, revealing that director Atlee’s style of storytelling played a major role in his decision to join the project.
Released in 2023, the action entertainer was headlined by Shah Rukh Khan and emerged as one of the biggest box office hits of the year. The film also featured Nayanthara and Deepika Padukone in key roles, while Sethupathi played the powerful antagonist Kalee Gaikwad.
Speaking in a recent interview, the actor said that Atlee’s clarity and confidence in storytelling impressed him and made the decision to sign the film an easy one.
Vijay Sethupathi praises Atlee’s filmmaking style
During the conversation, Vijay Sethupathi spoke about what he appreciates most about Atlee’s approach to directing films.
“I like the way Atlee makes his films,” Sethupathi said.
He explained that the director has a strong understanding of how to build dramatic moments within a scene.
“He knows where the scene or shot should rise and how to make it engaging. And he’s very confident about his scenes. So I like the way he works,” the actor added.
According to Sethupathi, that clarity and confidence from the director makes the filmmaking process smoother for actors.
Opportunity to work with Shah Rukh Khan
Apart from Atlee’s filmmaking style, Sethupathi also said that the chance to share screen space with Shah Rukh Khan was another major reason behind his decision to accept the role.
The actor revealed that collaborating with the Bollywood superstar was an exciting opportunity.
“And then, obviously, it was about Shah Rukh sir. That’s all. Just for them only, I did that film,” Sethupathi said.
For many actors across the Indian film industry, working with Shah Rukh Khan remains a significant milestone, given his decades-long influence in Hindi cinema.
Jawan’s massive box office success
Directed by Atlee, Jawan became one of the biggest cinematic successes of 2023.
The film combined high-octane action sequences with a socially driven narrative and strong performances from its ensemble cast.
The movie went on to collect more than ₹1,100 crore worldwide, making it one of the highest-grossing Indian films ever.
The success further strengthened Shah Rukh Khan’s remarkable comeback year in 2023, following the success of another blockbuster, Pathaan.
Sethupathi’s role as Kalee Gaikwad
In the film, Vijay Sethupathi portrayed the antagonist Kalee Gaikwad, a ruthless arms dealer who becomes the central adversary to Shah Rukh Khan’s character.
His performance as the villain was widely praised for adding depth and intensity to the film’s narrative.
Sethupathi, known for his versatile performances across Tamil, Telugu and Hindi cinema, brought a distinctive style to the character that resonated with audiences.
The role also marked one of his most prominent appearances in a major Hindi blockbuster.
Collaboration that resonated with audiences
The combination of Shah Rukh Khan’s star power, Atlee’s commercial storytelling and Vijay Sethupathi’s compelling antagonist performance contributed to the film’s widespread popularity.
The project also represented a successful collaboration between talents from different Indian film industries, bringing together artists from Bollywood and the South Indian film industry.
For Sethupathi, the experience of working with Atlee and Shah Rukh Khan appears to have been both professionally rewarding and creatively satisfying.
As the actor continues to work across multiple film industries, his role in Jawan remains one of the most widely recognised performances in his recent career.