Vijay Sethupathi on being body-shamed in Bollywood, Tamil industries: ‘Sometimes I’m conscious…’

Actor Vijay Sethupathi, who is currently busy promoting his forthcoming film ‘Merry Christmas’, opened up about his experience of being body-shamed, feeling conscious about wearing 'chappals' to events, and seeking validation from his fans in a recent interview.

Speaking with The Indian Express, Vijay said, ‘Main aisa hi tha, body shaming bohot kiya tha mujhe (I have faced a lot of body-shaming for the way I look). Wahaan bhi kiya tha (they also did it). It happened, but the good thing is that people accept you the way who you are. Today wherever I go, I am accepted, it is a blessing. (It’s all) thanks to my audience that I am happy being myself. I didn’t expect this, I didn’t…’

As Vijay builds his Bollywood career, he's gaining recognition and fan love, which validates his journey. Fans' love energizes him and affirms he's on the right path. He values their support as a sign of his work resonating with people.

He says, ‘I believe fans are fans and their love is so true. Receiving love from fans is like an energy drink. When people love you, it gives you hope that your work has reached people and they have understood and they really like your work. That’s what I understood from the fan clubs. That always gives me energy.’

‘When I first started coming to Mumbai for Mumbaikar and Gandhi Talks, very few people knew me. Now, a lot of people know me and they come to talk to me about the films and my roles, which makes me feel very happy. At the end of the day, we are doing films for the audience, being actors we want to be loved by the audience. Once we get it, it’s like ok apna raasta toh sahi tarike se chal raha hai (I am in the right direction),’ he added.

Despite Vijay's acting prowess, there's constant online chatter about his simple, casual attire and ‘chappals’ at high-profile Bollywood events. This scrutiny affects him, making him self-conscious about his modest fashion choices.

‘Sometimes I am conscious about my costumes because I believe in wearing what I am comfortable in. Sometimes people say I am showing off, sometimes they say I am too simple. Chappal pehnega toh simple matlab kya (how is wearing slippers equal to bring simple?). But sometimes I am conscious about that also. If I go to functions, I see people dressed up really well, and I get really conscious. So mostly I try to avoid going for get-togethers and meetings generally, otherwise I am comfortable,’ he says.

Vijay says he is looking at his Bollywood career one film at a time. He said, ‘I don’t have any plans. It’s only that whatever films I do should do business, then only producers will come. If you only want to make good stories, but no producers come then there is no point to it. So, I am very clear that whatever stories, films I do should be hits and reach the audience. What does a hit mean? It’s that most of the audience should watch the film. I am only particular about that, otherwise if I like the story I’ll do it.’