Vijay Sethupathi denies casting couch allegations, calls them 'filthy lies'

Dubai: Actor Vijay Sethupathi has issued a strong rebuttal to casting couch allegations that surfaced on social media this week, describing them as “filthy” and “attention-seeking.”

The controversy began after a woman, identified as Ramya Mohan, posted a series of tweets (from an account that has since been deleted) accusing the actor of sexual exploitation.

The posts alleged that a young woman had been manipulated in the name of industry practices, claiming that Sethupathi had offered Dh8770 or $2,410 for “caravan favours” and for “drives,” while presenting himself as virtuous online. No dates, names or evidence accompanied the allegations.

Speaking to film critic Subhash K Jha for Deccan Chronicle, the National Award-winning actor dismissed the accusations outright and revealed that a formal complaint has been lodged with the cybercrime authorities.

“Anyone who even remotely knows me would laugh at this. I know myself too,” Sethupathi said.

“Such filthy accusations don’t bother me. My family and close friends are upset, but I told them, ‘Ignore it. She just wants attention. Let her enjoy those few minutes of fame.’”

He added, “We’ve taken this to the cybercrime division. I’ve dealt with whisper campaigns for seven years. They haven’t affected me and they never will.”

This is not the first time the actor has faced online smear campaigns, but these allegations mark the most serious so far.

Vijay Sethupathi, who has acted in acclaimed Tamil films as well as pan-Indian hits such as Jawan with Shah Rukh Khan and Merry Christmas with Katrina Kaif, was most recently seen in Thalaivan Thalaivii alongside Nithya Menen.

While the allegations have cast an unwelcome shadow, Sethupathi’s own story has often been seen as an inspiring underdog tale.

In an earlier interview with Gulf News, the actor spoke about his early 2000s stint in Dubai, where he worked as an accountant for a salary of just Dh1,000, plus Dh300 for food and lodging. He recalled standing on Shaikh Zayed Road handing out leaflets every Thursday morning to supplement his income.

“I came to Dubai to earn money, but that salary wasn’t enough for my family,” he had said. “So I kept asking for part-time jobs — any part-time job to keep things going. At that time, all I wanted was to one day become a serial actor, make two to three lakhs a month, buy an old apartment and an old car. That was my dream.”

Those difficult years taught him resilience. After returning to India, Sethupathi hustled for minor roles before breaking out with Pizza and Naduvula Konjam Pakkatha Kaanom. Blockbusters like Super Deluxe, Jawan and Merry Christmas have since made him one of Tamil cinema’s most bankable and acclaimed actors.

Today, with a cult following and his 50th film Maharaja releasing this year, Sethupathi says that even when he stands on a red carpet, he remembers those days in Dubai when he had “only dreams” and no certainty of the future.