Vijay Sethupathi's son Surya set to make debut with Phoenix: 'It felt like the right place to begin'

Surya Sethupathi is no stranger to cinema, having worked as a child actor in the past. Now, ready to begin his new chapter as a lead actor, the debutant — son of superstar Vijay Sethupathi — believes he couldn’t have asked for a better launch vehicle than Phoenix, directed by Anl Arasu. “I’ve always been around cinema just by being with Appa and observing him. When Phoenix came to me, it felt like the right place to begin, not because it was designed as a launch, but because it felt honest,” says the actor, who portrays a Mixed Martial Arts fighter in the action drama.
 
A lot of training went into becoming the character. Surya says, “There was fitness, boxing drills, and understanding how fighters move and think. But beyond the physical part, it was about [understanding] this character’s silence and his scars. He doesn’t say much, but there’s a lot going on beneath the surface.”  

Being Vijay’s son brings both attention and expectations. As he follows in his father’s footsteps, Surya is aware of his privilege and the responsibilities it comes with. “There is definitely the weight [of pressure]. But I see it as a responsibility. I’ve watched Appa work with so much respect for the craft, and such humility. If I can carry even a little of that forward, I’ll feel I’m on the right path. I want to make him proud — not by copying his journey, but by building mine with the same values. I’ve had access and the privilege of being Vijay Sethupathi’s son. But staying here and earning respect is entirely on me. I hope people give me the space to grow on my own terms.”