Thread on the actor who transformed Tamil Cinema in the previous decade: VIJAY SETHUPATHI.

VJS had his first commercial success with Pizza, a twisted horror movie that marked the arrival of Karthik Subbaraj, who transitioned from short films to feature films. 'Attakathi' and 'Pizza' started a new phase of Tamil Cinema, where writing and filmmaking trumped star power.

He starred in 'Naduvula Konjam Pakkatha Kaanam,' a brilliant comedy that revolved around one word, "Ennachu". The plot and characters made this ode to friendship immensely likable.

After 'Soodhu Kavvum', actor Vijay Sethupathi became brand Vijay Sethupathi. Amoral characters and messed up situations led to an incredibly funny denouement. VJS headlined this memorable classic.

VJS consolidated his position in the comedy genre, with 'Idharku Dhaane Aasai Pattai Balakumara'. Watching the film's first half alone is enough to get one's money's worth. He's a scream as Sumar Moonji Kumar.

During his dull phase, he starred in underrated films like 'Pannaiyaarum Padminiyum' and 'Purampokku', where commercial success didn't meet critical acclaim.

And then came 'Naanum Rowdy Dhaan', a script that was rejected by the top heroes at that time. Although Nayanthara walked away with all the awards, it was an ensemble cast that made the film stand out from other mainstream black comedies.

He followed it up with 'Sethupathi' which was, IMO, one of the best-written mass masala entertainers in the previous decade. The director Arun Kumar respected the audience's intelligence and even had a character that sort of represented them (constable character).

A mass film later, we had a romcom, 'Kadhalum Kadandhu Pogum', a character-driven film with great chemistry between its two leads. How many of our top heroes even do such films anymore?

Vijay Sethupathi is in a live-in relationship, kills people, and ultimately suffers in Karthik Subbaraj's 'Iraivi'. Does any Tamil mainstream hero accept to do such roles anymore?

Aandavan Kattalai, although the story of Gandhi, had so many memorable characters who help him transform in the end. When was an actor happy to let others have all the fun?

'Vikram Vedha' is proof that if you give someone like Vijay Sethupathi a solid material for a crime thriller masquerading as a 'mass' movie, he can elevate it to stratospheric levels. His opening scene is a masterclass on character introduction.

'96: VJS starred in an indie film about just two people. No unwanted songs, no sidetracks, no commercial compromises, all these are possible only when an actor understands a writer's intentions on why he wants to tell a story to a lot of people.

His 25th film, a landmark film in an actor's career, had him do a guest appearance in Seethakaathi! He played a 75-year-old with heavy make-up, that did not make one see VJS. Is he telling us that he's just a drop in the ocean (the art of films)?

Petta: When actors turn down offers to play villain to THE Superstar fearing a decline in market value, VJS grabbed the opportunity with both hands and had fun with it. Getting "mokka" in the film's climax shows him being secure as an actor.

Super Deluxe: NO POPULAR STAR IN TAMIL will play this role. The tunnel scene, the second scene at the police station, the saree draping scene, just no inhibitions at all. It was an actor taking his skills to unscalable peaks.

Also, guest appearances in so many films, like Jigarthanda, Thirudan Police, Oh My Kadavule, etc. show that he does not fear about audiences getting used to seeing him on the big screen.

When other actors want to follow the path of Rajini, Vijay, Ajith, Suriya, etc. by starting with light-hearted films and then moving to commercial films, VJS wanted to do play roles that were anything but heroic.

He also produced films like Orange Mittai, Merku Thodarchi Malai, Junga, and Chennai Panali Mars. The directors he has introduced include Karthik Subbaraj, Balaji Tharaneetharan, Nalan Kumarasamy, Arun Kumar and Prem Kumar. They made some influential films in the previous decade.

Finally, his speeches. Man. They require a separate thread to capture him fully. I am pretty sure that a lot of people became his fans after seeing his talks on Youtube. His thoughts on love, success, career, failures, rejections, God, etc. make you love the man even more.

For people born in the late 90s and early 2000s who don't get the greatness of VJS, let me talk about the period from 2010 (and earlier) until October 2012. It was one of the most depressing phases for anyone who closely followed Tamil Cinema.

Vijay was in his lowest phase(late 2007 until early 2011), Ajith had a colossal hit followed by a colossal flop,Vikram chose films that he needed more than those films needing him.Suriya did two 'different' roles in '7am arivu' & 'Maatraan';both films didn't work with the masses.

Dhanush had an 'Aadukalam' and 'Mayakkam Enna' surrounded by a string of remakes. Everyone else went/started going into the 'mass' mode: Arun Vijay, Jiiva, Simbu, etc., only to get middling results.

Bala made depressing films. Mani Ratnam made films that were becoming less accessible to the average movie watcher. Vetrimaaran just arrived with 'Aadukalam'. Nobody knew Thiagarajan Kumarajan then.

Mysskin was regarded as a director who copied from foreign films. Selvaraghavan made two underappreciated works. Gautham Menon made 'VTV' and then came up with 'Nadunisi Naaygal'.

Filmmakers & actors took different paths during those times.Vijay Sethupathi formed the bridge that connected the filmmaker & actor. He showed the industry that if you could give audiences exciting content,they will flock to theatres without caring about who's acting in the film.

It took ONE MAN to change the way actors selected their scripts. VJS was the change that Tamil Cinema badly needed. That's why we see a lot of actors doing 'different' films today. He's the flagbearer of this new phase of Tamil Cinema.

FAN FOR LIFE!

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