Surya Vijay Sethupathi is an emerging Indian actor making his mark in Tamil cinema as the eldest son of acclaimed actor Vijay Sethupathi. He transitioned from child artist roles to leading man with his debut film Phoenix (2025), establishing himself as a promising new talent in the industry.
Surya Vijay Sethupathi Age, Wikipedia, Biography, Family, Movies
| Name | Surya Vijay Sethupathi |
| Profession | Actor |
| Age | 20 years old (as of 2025) |
| Date of Birth | July 14, 2005 |
| Location | Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India |
| Family | Father: Vijay Sethupathi (Actor) Mother: Jessie Sister: Shreeja |
| Nationality | Indian |
| Religion | Hindu |
| Height | 163 cm (5’4″) |
| Weight | 54 kg (119 lbs) |
| @suryavijaygurunathasethupathi |
Age & Early Life
Age: Surya Vijay Sethupathi is currently 20 years old as of 2025, having been born on July 14, 2005.
Location: Surya was born in Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India, and grew up in the same city, immersed in the film industry environment through his father’s career.
Education: Surya completed his schooling in Chennai and is currently pursuing his college education. While specific details about his educational institutions have been kept private by the family, growing up in a film family, Surya gained extensive practical knowledge about cinema from an early age by observing his father’s work and spending time on film sets.
His upbringing was heavily influenced by the cinematic world, providing him with an organic understanding of the film industry that would later benefit his acting career.
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Family
Father: Vijay Sethupathi
Surya’s father, Vijay Sethupathi, born January 16, 1978, is a renowned Tamil actor, producer, and lyricist. His notable films include Vikram Vedha, Super Deluxe, and Jawan. He won a National Film Award for Best Supporting Actor and multiple Filmfare Awards South.
Mother: Jessie
Jessie married Vijay Sethupathi in 2003 and serves as a supportive homemaker. She maintains a private life away from the spotlight while providing unwavering support to her family’s endeavors.
Sister: Shreeja
Surya has a younger sister named Shreeja who maintains privacy away from media attention. The family consciously keeps her life private, allowing her to pursue education and interests normally.
Height & Weight
Height: Surya Vijay Sethupathi stands at 163 cm (5 feet 4 inches) tall, which is considered average height for his age group in India.
Weight: He maintains a weight of approximately 54 kg (119 lbs), reflecting his lean and athletic build. His physical fitness has been significantly enhanced through his rigorous training for his debut film Phoenix, where he portrays an MMA fighter.
Physical Transformation: For his role in Phoenix, Surya underwent intensive physical training including fitness routines and boxing drills, which helped him develop the muscular definition and stamina required for authentically portraying a Mixed Martial Arts fighter on screen.
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Career
Early Acting Experiences
Surya began his acting journey as a child artist in his father’s films, gaining valuable on-set experience that would prove instrumental in his later career.
His first appearance was in Naanum Rowdy Dhaan (2015), where he played a child role alongside his father’s performance in this critically acclaimed film. He continued this early exposure to cinema with another child role in Sindhubaadh (2019), further cementing his understanding of the filmmaking process.
These early experiences provided him with foundational knowledge of acting techniques and familiarity with film set environments, preparing him for his transition to lead roles.
Working directly under his father’s guidance on these projects allowed Surya to observe professional filmmaking practices firsthand and develop an intuitive understanding of character development and on-screen presence.
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Lead Debut: Phoenix
Surya’s transition from child artist to leading man culminates with his debut film Phoenix, a Tamil-language sports action drama directed by Anl Arasu. Originally scheduled for release on November 14, 2024, the film was later postponed to July 4, 2025, produced by AK Braveman Picturess.
In this film, Surya takes on the challenging role of a Mixed Martial Arts (MMA) fighter, marking his first leading role in cinema.
For this demanding role, Surya underwent extensive preparation including rigorous fitness training routines and professional boxing drills to authentically portray an MMA fighter.
Beyond physical preparation, he dedicated considerable time to character study, focusing on the emotional complexity of his role and understanding what he describes as the character’s “silence and his scars.”
This comprehensive approach demonstrates his commitment to delivering a nuanced performance that balances both action sequences and emotional depth in his debut leading performance.
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Controversy & Trolls
Despite his young age, Surya has faced several public controversies that have generated social media backlash:
“Appa vera, naan vera” Comment
During a promotional event for Phoenix, when questioned about comparisons with his father, Surya stated “Appa vera, naan vera” (My father is different, I am different). This remark was perceived by some as dismissive or arrogant, leading to negative reactions on social media platforms and criticism from segments of the public.
Pocket Money Statement
At a public event, Surya mentioned facing struggles despite being an actor’s son, specifically stating his father gave him only ₹500 per day as pocket money. This statement resulted in widespread social media trolling and criticism about his perception of “struggle” and privilege.
Pre-Debut Fan Meet-up
During the Phoenix audio launch, organized fan meet-ups for Surya drew criticism and social media trolling. Many questioned the premature nature of having dedicated fans and organized fan events before his film’s official release, sparking discussions about industry practices.
Surya Vijay Sethupathi Filmography
As Child Artist
| Year | Film | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2015 | Naanum Rowdy Dhaan | Child Artist | Father’s film |
| 2019 | Sindhubaadh | Child Artist | Father’s film |
As Lead Actor
| Year | Film | Role | Director | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | Phoenix | MMA Fighter | Anl Arasu | Lead Debut |
Note: This biography is based on publicly available information as of 2025. Surya Vijay Sethupathi continues to develop his career in the Tamil film industry, and this page will be updated as new information becomes available.