Vijay Sethupathi has revealed that he intentionally maintained a distance from his son Surya’s acting debut in the upcoming action film Phoenix, stating that he wanted his son to make his own decisions and forge his own path in the industry. The film, which marks the directorial debut of renowned stunt director Anl Arasu, is scheduled for release on July 4.
Speaking at an event for the film, Vijay recounted how the project came to Surya. “He [Anl Arasu] told me the story in 2019, but I couldn’t do it then. Later, he asked if Surya could take it up, and I felt both joy and nervousness,” Vijay said. “I believe Surya should make his own decisions. I asked him to hear the story, and didn’t interfere afterward. I always share my industry experiences with my family but leave the decisions to them. That’s why I didn’t attend the pooja or any events.”
This hands-off approach was also noted by music composer Sam CS, who shared, “Vijay Sethupathi told me he wanted Surya to come into the industry without his interference. After watching Phoenix, I told him his son has done a fabulous job.”
Director H. Vinoth mentioned that he had also considered launching Surya, remarking, “I actually planned to launch Surya myself, but Anl Arasu beat me to it! Usually, it takes 10 films for an actor to become an action hero, but Surya got that in his debut.” Director Pandiraj drew a parallel to another successful debut, stating, “Watching the trailer gave me the same vibe I had when I saw Vishal in Sandakozhi.”
Producer T. Siva offered high praise for the film, calling it a “proper seat-edge thriller” and predicting that Surya would become the “Tiger Shroff of Tamil cinema.” He added, “If I’m wrong, you can call and scold me after the release.”
For his part, Surya thanked his family and the film’s cast and crew for their support throughout the two-year process. “Whenever I felt low, the cast and crew supported me,” he said. Director Anl Arasu also noted Surya’s dedication, stating, “Surya worked incredibly hard for over a year and a half. He has a bright future.”
Phoenix is described as a sports-based action film. The film is produced by Rajalakshmy Anl Arasu and distributed by Sakthi Film Factory.