Tamil film actor Vijay Sethupathi, who enjoys good popularity among the masses and takes up offbeat roles in films, has ventured into other language films as well. His performances have gained a large fan following, to the extent of him getting cast in many Hindi language films and web series. His most recent venturing into Hindi-speaking media was the 2023 web series Farzi on Amazon Prime Video, in which he played a key role. Vijay Sethupathi’s role as a villain in Jawan was also appreciated among Hindi and Tamil audiences alike. until now.
Not Against Hindi But ‘Hindi Imposition’
Vijay Sethupathi’s new film releasing on Pongal ironically titled as ‘Merry Christmas’ had a promotional press meet on 07 January 2024. During the press meet, a reporter raised a question regarding Hindi politics in the state.
Before the reporter can even finish his question, Vijay Sethupathi jumps in and asks the reporter, ‘Didn’t you ask the same question when Aamir Khan came here? Why do you always repeat the same question everywhere?‘ to which the reporter asks, ‘Given the culture of Tamil Nadu and the political background, should we learn Hindi or not?‘. Vijay Sethupathi then goes on to ask the reporter, ‘What’s the use of asking such a question to a person like me? Why do you ask this question now?‘. The reporter then starts saying, ‘We have said in our state that we should not learn Hindi‘ when Vijay Sethupathi interrupts and says, ‘We have never said that Hindi should not be learned, but it should not be imposed. Nobody here has ever said that. This is a wrong question and an unnecessary one. Here, there are many people learning Hindi, an explanation for this has been given by our PTR sir, listen to it, it is a clear explanation.’ This answer of Vijay Sethupathi is nothing but the textbook reply used by DMK leaders and cadres whenever they are in a defensive mode in an argument against Hindi learning. The two language policy in the state depriving students’ opportunity to learn a new language has been called out in the recent past by many. The Tamil Nadu BJP chief Annamalai has also repeatedly said that the BJP will not impose Hindi in Tamil Nadu and the Tamil Nadu BJP is against Hindi imposition in any form.
Controversies Surrounding Vijay Sethupathi
Although Vijay Sethupathi does not speak to the public about his political views, there are some controversies that surround the actor. In the year 2020, IT raids were conducted in his office and residence. Although no further details were divulged, a conspiracy theory note was spread on social media stating Vijay Sethupathi, Aarya, Ramesh Kanna and Aarthi were few actors who were engaged in Christian religious conversions in the Tamil cinema industry. Vijay Sethupathi shared a screenshot of this note on X and wrote ‘Go and do whatever work you may have’. This came as a shocker to many, as Vijay Sethupathi has always said in public speeches and interviews that he doesn’t follow any particular religion.
போயி வேற வேலை இருந்தா பாருங்கடா… pic.twitter.com/6tcwhsFxgT
— VijaySethupathi (@VijaySethuOffl) February 12, 2020
The actor was given the Periyar award in the year 2018, sharing the stage with Dravidar Kazhagam (DK) chief K. Veeramani and Aramm film director Gopi Nainar. In his speech, the DK chief says that he is proud of the achievements by the actor and director and says more such people should come up in the industry.
After casting his vote in the 2021 Tamil Nadu elections, he was asked if he had voted against communal and religious forces, he said he had never changed his stand. Early in 2023, his fans in Madurai had earlier put up posters urging native Tamil Nadu people to boycott North Indians, forgetting that he had acted in Hindi films and web series. The actor has not flirted with language politics explicitly.
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