Vijay Sethupathi opens up about childhood poverty: 'Debt collectors often came home'

Vijay Sethupathi. Pic via Instagram

Today, Vijay Sethupathi is celebrated as one of Indian cinema's most versatile stars, effortlessly balancing commercial entertainers with critically acclaimed performances. But long before the success, awards and blockbuster films, the actor says his childhood was defined by financial struggles that forced him to grow up much earlier than most.

Vijay Sethupathi opens up about difficult childhood

Speaking on the Truly Ram podcast, Vijay reflected on the hardships his family faced while he was growing up. The actor revealed that money was always a concern, and almost every decision in their household depended on what they could afford.

"Financial struggles were mostly what I saw in childhood. Poverty and hardship were always there. Whenever we wanted something, we had to calculate whether we could afford it. Our financial status decided everything," he shared.

The Farzi actor also recalled taking on responsibilities at an age when most children were carefree. He revealed that whenever debt collectors visited their home, he would sit beside his father and face the difficult conversations with him.

"Even when debt collectors came over, or someone came asking about money, I was the one who sat with my dad. I was the one dealing with it," he said, adding that those experiences shaped his outlook towards life and work.

Vijay Sethupathi's dream was to be a businessman

Interestingly, Vijay admitted that acting was never part of his original dream. Instead, he always imagined building a career in business and was willing to take up any job to earn a living.

"I didn't have any desire to do movies. I've always loved working. I wanted to become a businessman," he said.

The actor revealed that he started working from a young age, taking up daily wage jobs while still in school before moving on to work at a telephone booth. He also recalled doing night shifts and knocking on doors for work opportunities, saying those experiences taught him resilience and perseverance.

Vijay's journey eventually took an unexpected turn when he entered films with minor supporting roles before finding his breakthrough in 2012 with Pizza and Naduvula Konjam Pakkatha Kaanom. Over the years, he established himself as one of Tamil cinema's most dependable performers through films such as Soodhu Kavvum, Vikram Vedha, 96, Super Deluxe, Master, Vikram, Jawan and Maharaja.

In 2023, he expanded his reach with his OTT debut in Farzi alongside Shahid Kapoor. Most recently seen in Gandhi Talks, Vijay has an exciting slate ahead, including Slum Dog: 33 Temple Road, backed by Puri Jagannadh, and Mysskin's Train.

Looking back, the actor's story serves as a reminder that behind his remarkable success lies years of struggle, responsibility and relentless hard work.