You’ve seen him as a ruthless gangster in Vikram, a trans woman in Super Deluxe, and even a quirky kidnapper in Soodhu Kavvum. But when it comes to Vijay Sethupathi and family, the screen persona completely vanishes. There is no "Makkal Selvan" (People’s Son) at home. There’s just a guy who used to count pennies as an accountant in Dubai and still thinks his wife is way out of his league.
Honestly, the story of how he met his wife, Jessy, sounds like a script from one of his early 2010s indie movies. No grand meetings on a movie set. No "love at first sight" in a coffee shop. It started on the internet. In the early 2000s, long before Tinder or Instagram, they connected online. He was working in Dubai, grinding away at a job he hated just to send money home. She was in India. They talked, they clicked, and they decided to get married in 2003.
The Woman Behind the "People’s Son"
Jessy Sethupathi isn't your typical star wife. You won't see her chasing the paparazzi or trying to be a social media influencer. She’s the anchor. When Vijay returned from Dubai with zero job prospects and a wild dream to act, she didn't tell him to get a "real" job. He spent years playing "friend #3" or "random guy in the background" in movies like Pudhupettai and Lee. During those five or six years of struggle, when the fridge was often empty, she stayed.
Vijay has mentioned in several interviews, quite candidly, that he has "fallen at her feet" out of gratitude. He’s not being dramatic. He basically credits her for his entire career because she handled the domestic chaos while he was out auditioning and failing. They have two kids, Surya and Shreeja, who are now slowly carving out their own paths.
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Surya Sethupathi: Not Just a Junior Version
The couple's son, Surya, didn't just wait until he was 21 to "debut." He was already on screen as a kid. If you look closely at Naanum Rowdy Dhaan, the boy playing the younger version of Vijay's character is actually Surya.
He didn't stop there. He had a much meatier role in Sindhubaadh (2019), playing his father’s sidekick. It wasn't just a cameo; they had legitimate screen time together. But as of 2026, the big news is his lead debut in the film Phoenix, directed by stunt master Anl Arasu. People think it’s easy for a star kid, but Surya spent six months just training for the action sequences. Vijay is notoriously hands-off; he wants the boy to learn the "ground reality" just like he did.
Shreeja’s Poetic Debut
Then there’s Shreeja. She made her debut in a much quieter, more artistic way. She starred in a 60-minute film called Mugizh (2021), produced by her father’s own banner. The movie is a heart-wrenching look at a young girl dealing with the loss of a pet.
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The director, Karthik Swaminathan, originally wanted a trained child actor. But then he saw Shreeja. She had this "organic fabric," as he put it. She wasn't "acting" like a movie star’s kid; she was just being a 12-year-old. It’s a side of Vijay Sethupathi and family that fans rarely see—the vulnerable, artistic side that prefers small stories over massive blockbusters.
Why the Sethupathi Household is Different
Most fans don't realize that Vijay Sethupathi's name isn't even "Vijay Sethupathi." It’s Vijaya Gurunatha Sethupathi Kalimuthu. He’s a guy from Rajapalayam who moved to Chennai in the sixth grade and lived in a small house in Ennore.
- The Accountant Years: He worked as a phone booth operator and a cashier at a fast-food joint.
- The Rejection: At 16, he tried out for Nammavar but was told he was too short.
- The Friend Factor: He named his son Surya in memory of a school friend who passed away. That’s the kind of guy he is.
He doesn't live in a bubble. Even now, with his foray into Bollywood—remember his villainous turn against Shah Rukh Khan in Jawan?—he remains grounded. In 2026, he’s still doing cameos for people he respects, like his upcoming appearance in Rajinikanth’s Jailer 2. He said he’s doing it because he wants to "learn" from the superstar. After 50+ movies as a lead, he still thinks like a student.
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What Most People Get Wrong
People assume that because he’s everywhere—OTT, Tamil, Telugu, Hindi—his family must be living this high-glitz lifestyle. It’s actually the opposite. They are very private. You won't find them on reality shows. Vijay has even started cutting back on roles because he realized he was "overexposed" around 2021. He wants to spend more time at home.
He recently wrapped a project with Nithya Menen called Thalaivan Thalaivii, which is a family entertainer. It’s a bit of a meta-commentary on his own life—a guy trying to balance his massive public image with a very normal, slightly messy private life.
Actionable Insights for Fans and Aspiring Actors
If you’re looking at Vijay Sethupathi and family as a blueprint, here is what you can actually take away from his journey:
- Skill over Style: Vijay didn't have the "hero" look. He focused on being a "character." If you’re starting out in any field, don't worry about the polish; worry about the craft.
- Support Systems Matter: He wouldn't be here without Jessy. Whether it’s a spouse or a parent, find someone who believes in your "Dubai accountant to movie star" dream.
- Diversify Your Portfolios: He acts, produces, writes lyrics, and does dialogue. He’s a one-man industry.
- Know When to Say No: In late 2025 and early 2026, he started rejecting routine villain roles. He realized that playing the "bad guy" just to make the hero look good was hurting his brand. Evolution is mandatory.
The most important thing to remember about the Sethupathi clan is that they aren't trying to be a "dynasty." Surya and Shreeja are entering the industry on their own terms, often in experimental or stunt-heavy roles that require genuine sweat. It’s a blue-collar approach to a white-collar industry. That is why, despite the fame, he’s still the "Makkal Selvan." He feels like he belongs to us because he never forgot where he started.