Vijay Sethupathi apologises for son Surya’s bubblegum controversy

Reacting to the backlash, Vijay Sethupathi came forward to defend his son and also issued a heartfelt apology.

Hyderabad: Kollywood actor Vijay Sethupathi’s son, Surya Sethupathi, has found himself in the middle of an unexpected controversy soon after making his silver screen debut. Surya, who stars as a young wrestler in the newly released action-drama ‘Phoenix,’ was seen chewing bubblegum while interacting with fans at the film’s premiere, sparking strong reactions online.

Several videos from the premiere went viral, with a section of netizens calling out Surya for what they labelled as “arrogant” behaviour. Some even criticised him as another “product of nepotism” enjoying undue privilege in the film industry.

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Reacting to the backlash, Vijay Sethupathi came forward to defend his son and also issued a heartfelt apology. “It could have happened without any intention to hurt. If anyone felt disrespected or misunderstood his actions, I sincerely apologise,” said the Makkal Selvan, adding that Surya did not mean to come across as rude.

Despite the controversy, Surya has received praise for his performance in Phoenix. Directed by stunt choreographer Anl Arasu, the sports action film follows the story of a young wrestler standing up against corrupt power-hungry forces.

The film also stars Abhinakshathra, J Vignesh, Sampath Raj, and Devadarshini in key roles. Phoenix is produced by Rajalakshmy Anl Arasu under the AK Braveman Pictures banner and marks an interesting start for Surya’s acting journey, even as he navigates early lessons under the public eye.