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Mumbai:

Actor Vijay Sethupathi says he initially thought his profession up north can be restricted to a few movies as he wasn’t assured about his language abilities, however little did the actor know that there was a brand new viewers ready to welcome him with open arms.

The 45-year-old actor, thought to be one of many reliable performers in each business and indie house in south cinema, is now among the many most sought-after names in Hindi movie business following his roles in net sequence Farzi and Shah Rukh Khan-starrer Jawan.

He made his Hindi movie debut with 2023 film Mumbaikar, directed by Santosh Sivan, after which signed Zee Studios’ silent function Gandhi Talks.

“It is a huge blessing and I didn’t expect this. I didn’t have this much confidence. I was worried about my language (skills). When they approached me for Mumbaikar or Gandhi Talks, I was like I’m going to do only that and it’s not going to be many films,” Sethupathi advised PTI in an interview right here.

“Then Farzi and Jawan came. So, it was really surprising for me. I didn’t expect that they would give me so much love. I’m grateful for the love,” he added.

Many of Sethupathi’s movies resembling Pizza, 96, Vikram Vedha, “Master” and Malayalam film Super Deluxe had already discovered viewers within the North, however when he began doing Hindi tasks, the actor stated he was nervous he will likely be trolled for his accent in Raj Nidimoru and Krishna DK’s Farzi by which he performed a Special Task Force officer named Michael Vedanayagam.

“I thought people would troll me for my Hindi. I remember I would ask Chesta (Goswami, assistant director of ‘Farzi’), ‘Will they troll me?’ She was like, ‘They will like you’. They liked my gaalis (abuses). Once people connect with you, they connect.” The National Award winner credited the flurry of movie affords from Bollywood filmmakers to followers.

“They created this energy and that energy went to so many directors and writers who thought they needed this person to play this role. It’s a mass energy that made writers think of me,” he stated.

Sethupathi will subsequent seem in Sriram Raghavan’s “Merry Christmas”, the place the actor performs the lead function reverse Katrina Kaif. The thriller is about to launch in theatres on January 12.

The actor stated he was excited when he obtained the supply to work with Raghavan as he preferred the filmmaker’s earlier films Ek Hasina Thi, Badlapur and Andhadhun.

“About seven years ago, one of my friends gave me a DVD of ‘Ek Hasina Thi’ and recommended that I watch the film. I saw the film and it was very nice,” he recalled.

After watching Raghavan’s 2015 neo-noir action-thriller Badlapur, Sethupathi stated he hoped the film can be remade in Tamil the place he would play Nawazuddin Siddiqui’s character.

“I had watched Badlapur in a theatre, and I thought somebody will remake that film in Tamil and I’ll get to play Nawazuddin’s role. Later, I met him (Raghavan) in Melbourne. I saw Andhadhun and I didn’t expect that I’ll get a chance to work with him. It was really a wonderful and most memorable experience that I’ve had.” “Merry Christmas” is about over the course of 1 night time and follows the story of two strangers.

“I didn’t have any expectations. I just wanted to work with this man (Raghavan) because I love his craft. After I met and spent so many days with him, I love him as a person also. The respect became so high,” the actor added.

In the movie, Sethupathi performs the function of Albert, a personality he described as a “nice and innocent man”.

“He is just searching for love in his life. He fought with his fate and finally, he won,” he stated.

“Merry Christmas” is introduced by Tips Films and Matchbox Pictures.