Surya Sethupathi on the nepotism tag: 'If I'm a nepo kid, it means my dad..."
Surya Sethupathi
, son of celebrated actor
Vijay Sethupathi
, is all set to carve his own path in the industry with his debut film, 'Phoenix.' But even before the film's release, he's already dealing with labels—specifically, the much-discussed 'nepo kid' tag.
"As a nepo kid, you have to work harder than your dad"
In a recent chat with News18 Showsha, Surya offered a mature, clear-headed response to the label, saying he has no issues with it.
'There's nothing wrong with calling someone a nepo kid,' Surya said. 'It just means your father had some legacy, right? You're starting something new. But as a nepo kid, you have to work harder than your dad. There's a barrier, and crossing it will come with struggles, but those struggles will teach you.'
Phoenix - Official Trailer
'My father gives me 500 rupees daily"
Surya's view on nepotism is rooted in his lived experiences. Despite being the son of one of the most respected actors in Tamil cinema, his life wasn't all luxury and shortcuts. 'I've come here after facing hardships since childhood,' he said. 'My father gives me 500 rupees daily for expenses. That's how I've been brought up, and that's why I've come here to win in cinema.'
Debut with 'Phoenix' and big aspirations ahead
Surya's debut film, Phoenix, is directed by stunt master-turned-filmmaker Anl Arasu and features a strong ensemble cast including Varalaxmi Sarathkumar, Devadarshini, J.
Vignesh, Sampath Raj, and Sreejith Ravi.
An excerpt from the ETimes review for the film reads, "Phoenix's technical excellence elevates the material considerably. Velraj's cinematography captures the gritty violence with visceral impact, while Sam CS delivers a score that matches the film's energy. High production values ensure this debut vehicle is polished. As a star-making exercise, Phoenix succeeds in establishing its young lead's action credentials.
As compelling cinema, it feels hollow despite its emotional backstory. The film works best when viewed as a well-crafted commercial entertainer rather than a nuanced thriller."
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