On July 2, 2025, Vijay Sethupathi continues to shine as one of India’s most loved actors. His journey is inspiring. He started as a simple man with big dreams. Today, he is a star in Tamil cinema. People call him "Makkal Selvan," which means "People’s Treasure." His story is unique. It shows how hard work and talent can change lives. This article tells the story of Vijay Sethupathi’s life. Let’s dive into his journey.
Early Life and Family
Vijay Sethupathi was born on January 16, 1978. His full name is Vijaya Gurunatha Sethupathi. He was born in Rajapalayam, a small town in Tamil Nadu. His family was not rich. His father worked hard to support them. Vijay grew up in a simple home. He was not a great student in school. He studied at MGR Higher Secondary School in Chennai. He was shy and quiet as a child. He did not like sports or activities much. But he always loved stories. He dreamed of doing something big one day.
School Days
After school, Vijay joined Dhanraj Baid Jain College in Chennai. He studied commerce and earned a bachelor’s degree. But he was not happy with regular jobs. He tried many things to earn money. He worked as an accountant in Dubai. Life in Dubai was tough. He felt lonely and missed home. The job did not make him happy. So, he returned to India in 2003. Back in Chennai, he did small jobs. He worked in a cement business. He also tried interior decoration with friends. But his heart was not in these jobs. He wanted something more.
Vijay Sethupathi Age, Wikipedia, Biography, Wife, Children, Parents
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Vijaya Gurunatha Sethupathi |
| Date of Birth | January 16, 1978 |
| Place of Birth | Rajapalayam, Tamil Nadu, India |
| Family Background | Simple family; father worked to support them; not a wealthy family |
| Education | MGR Higher Secondary School, Chennai; B.Com from Dhanraj Baid Jain College, Chennai |
| Early Jobs | Accountant in Dubai; worked in cement business and interior decoration in Chennai |
| Start in Acting | Joined Koothu-P-Pattarai theatre group; worked as accountant; learned acting by watching performers |
| First Film Role | Small role in Nammavar (rejected at 16); background roles in M Kumaran Son of Mahalakshmi and Pudhupettai |
| Breakthrough Film | Thenmerku Paruvakaatru (2010); first lead role; film won three National Awards |
| Major Films (2012) | Sundarapandian (villain), Pizza (horror-thriller), Naduvula Konjam Pakkatha Kaanom (comedy) |
| Other Key Films | Soodhu Kavvum (2013), Vikram Vedha (2017), ’96 (2018), Master (2021), Jawan (2023), Maharaja (2024) |
| Versatile Roles | Played hero, villain, comedian, police officer, gangster, and common man |
| Other Contributions | Producer (Orange Mittai), writer (dialogues for Orange Mittai), lyricist (Bun Butter Jam) |
| Bollywood Entry | Jawan (2023) with Shah Rukh Khan |
| Recent Work | Hosted Bigg Boss Tamil Season 8 (2024); acted in TV serial Penn (early career) |
| Personal Life | Married to Jessi; two children (Surya and Shreeja); named son after a late friend |
| Social Views | Against caste divisions; supports Tamil people; stays away from controversies |
| Controversy | Faced backlash for 800 (Muthiah Muralidaran biopic, 2020); left the project |
| Nickname | “Makkal Selvan” (People’s Treasure) |
| Achievements | Known for natural acting; supports new directors; films shown at festivals like Busan |
| Current Status (2025) | Popular in Tamil and Hindi cinema; loved for relatable looks and unique roles |
Acting Career
Vijay’s love for acting started slowly. He was not a film fan in his early days. But at 16, he tried acting. He auditioned for a small role in a movie called *Nammavar*. He was rejected because he was too short. This made him sad, but he did not give up. He joined a theatre group called Koothu-P-Pattarai in Chennai. He worked as an accountant there. But he also watched actors closely. He learned how they performed. This sparked his interest in acting. He decided to chase his dream.
Debut
Vijay’s film journey began with small steps. For five years, he played tiny roles in movies. He was a background actor in films like *M Kumaran Son of Mahalakshmi* and *Pudhupettai*. These roles were small. Nobody noticed him. But Vijay worked hard. He never lost hope. In 2010, his life changed. He got his first lead role in a movie called *Thenmerku Paruvakaatru*. The film was directed by Seenu Ramasamy. It was a simple story about rural life. Vijay played a kind-hearted villager. The movie won three National Awards. People started noticing Vijay’s talent.
The year 2012 was a big one for Vijay. He acted in three films that year. All were hits. The first was *Sundarapandian*, where he played a villain. His acting was powerful. People loved his performance. Then came *Pizza*, a horror-thriller. Vijay played a pizza delivery boy who faces scary events. The film was a big success. Critics praised his natural acting. The third film was *Naduvula Konjam Pakkatha Kaanom*. It was a comedy. Vijay played a man who loses his memory before his wedding. Audiences laughed and cheered for him. These films made Vijay a star.
Success Story
Vijay’s success grew in 2013. He acted in *Soodhu Kavvum*, a crime-comedy. He played a 40-year-old kidnapper named Das. He grew a beard and gained weight for the role. Critics said he was perfect. The film was a huge hit. People called him a versatile actor. He could play any role—hero, villain, or comedian. The same year, he acted in *Idharkuthane Aasaipattai Balakumara*. He played a funny character named Kumar. Fans loved his comic timing. Vijay was now a favorite in Tamil cinema.
In 2015, Vijay showed his range again. He acted in *Purampokku Engira Podhuvudamai*, a serious film about capital punishment. His role was intense. Critics said he stole the show. Later, he did *Orange Mittai*, a touching story about an old man and a paramedic. Vijay also wrote dialogues for this film. It was shown at a big film festival in Busan. People admired his creativity. In 2016, he played a tough police officer in *Sethupathi*. The film was a hit. Vijay’s dialogue delivery was powerful. He also acted in *Kadhalum Kadandhu Pogum*, a romantic comedy. His chemistry with the heroine was loved by all.
Fame
Vijay’s fame grew with films like *Vikram Vedha* in 2017. He played a gangster named Vedha. His acting was raw and real. The film was a blockbuster. In 2018, *’96* became a super hit. Vijay played a man who misses his lost love. His emotional acting touched hearts. In 2021, he acted with Thalapathy Vijay in *Master*. He played a dangerous villain named Bhavani. Fans loved his bold performance. In 2023, he entered Bollywood with *Jawan*. He acted with Shah Rukh Khan. The film was a massive hit. In 2024, *Maharaja* became another success. Vijay’s role as a father seeking justice was powerful.
Vijay is not just an actor. He is also a producer, writer, and lyricist. He produced films like *Orange Mittai*. He wrote songs for *Bun Butter Jam*. He loves to try new things. He supports new directors. Many debut directors want to work with him. He picks unique scripts. He does not care about looking perfect on screen. He often plays ordinary men. This makes him special. Fans love his simple looks and real acting. He does not follow the rules of a typical hero. He creates his own style.
Personal Life
Vijay’s personal life is simple. He is married to Jessi. They have two children, Surya and Shreeja. He named his son after a friend who died young. Vijay loves his family. He stays away from controversies. He speaks against caste divisions. He wants a better society. He once said, “Caste has divided us. I wish it should be abolished.” He also supports Tamil people. He is kind and down-to-earth. Fans admire his honesty.
Recently, Vijay faced some criticism. In 2020, he agreed to act in a film called *800*. It was about Sri Lankan cricketer Muthiah Muralidaran. Some Tamil fans were angry. They felt Muralidaran did not support Tamils enough. Vijay faced backlash on social media. But he stayed calm. He later left the project. This showed his respect for people’s feelings. In 2024, he hosted *Bigg Boss Tamil Season 8*. Fans loved his charm on the show. He also acted in a TV serial called *Penn* years ago. It was a small role, but it showed his humble start.
Vijay’s journey is full of lessons. He was not born a star. He faced rejections. He worked odd jobs. But he never gave up. His hard work made him a hero. He picks roles that challenge him. He plays villains, lovers, and common men. He does not chase fame. He loves acting. He once said, “I believe life is an experience ball. It grows when you share it.” This shows his simple yet deep thinking.
Today, Vijay Sethupathi is a big name. He works in Tamil, Hindi, and other languages. His films are loved across India. He represents the common man. His dad bod and real looks make him relatable. He is not like typical heroes with perfect bodies. He is real. He is unique. His story inspires millions. From a small town in Tamil Nadu to Bollywood, Vijay’s journey is amazing. He proves that dreams can come true with hard work. His fans call him “Makkal Selvan” for a reason. He is truly the people’s treasure.