Tamil actor Vijay Sethupathi breaks silence on 'filthy' sexual harassment allegations: 'Jealous elements want to damage my new film'

Time of India

2 days ago

Renowned actor
Vijay Sethupathi
has addressed the recent
sexual misconduct allegations
circulating on social media, choosing to speak out amid growing attention. The actor, widely known for his versatile roles in
Tamil cinema
, including films like Maharaja, Viduthalai, and Super Deluxe, firmly rejected the "filthy" accusations and characterized them as an intentional
smear campaign
aimed at gaining attention and disrupting his professional momentum.
According to Vijay, the woman behind the allegations appears to be seeking attention through sensational claims. He asserted that there is no truth to the accusations and that such baseless attacks are an unfortunate by-product of public life in the digital age. He expressed confidence in his integrity and dismissed the claims as absurd to anyone familiar with his personality or work ethic.
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While the situation has understandably affected his family and close friends, Vijay said he has chosen to remain composed, urging his loved ones not to be distressed by what he describes as a desperate bid for attention.
'Anyone who knows me even remotely will laugh at this. I know myself too. This kind of filthy accusation can't upset me. My family and close friends are upset, but I tell them, 'Let it slide. This woman is obviously doing it to be noticed. She has her few minutes of fame; let her enjoy it," he told
Deccan Chronicle.
Taking legal recourse, Vijay revealed that his legal representatives have already taken the matter to the cybercrime department. The actor, who has faced various forms of negative campaigns over the past several years, maintained that these attempts to defame him have consistently failed to shake his resolve. He emphasized his ability to withstand such adversity, stating that smear efforts have never disrupted his journey in the industry and will not do so now either.
Vijay believes that the timing of the accusations is not coincidental. With the positive response to his latest project,
Thalaivan Thalaivii
, which also features Nithya Menen, he suspects the controversy is a deliberate strategy to undermine the film's success. He referred to such negativity as the work of envious individuals who may believe that tarnishing his reputation could sabotage the film's performance.
"My new film is doing well. Probably, some jealous elements think that by tarnishing me they can damage my film. It doesn't work that way, " he said.
However, Vijay dismissed this notion, explaining that in today's digital climate, anyone can publish unverified content online without accountability, which often leads to the unchecked spread of false narratives.
The controversy was sparked by a post from a user identified as Ramya Mohan on platform X (formerly Twitter). She accused the actor of engaging in unethical behavior, including offering large sums of money in exchange for inappropriate favors.
"@VijaySethuOffl has offered Rs 2 lakh for 'caravan favors' and Rs 50k for 'drives' and acts like a saint on social media,' she wrote on X.
Her post also made sweeping accusations about the Tamil film industry, referencing substance abuse, exploitation, and the alleged normalization of predatory behavior disguised as standard industry practices. She cited a case of a woman she knows who was reportedly pulled into this cycle and is currently in rehabilitation. However, the original post has since been removed from the platform.
Despite the provocative nature of the post and the serious claims made, Vijay Sethupathi remains focused on his work, standing firm against what he sees as falsehoods and slander. With legal proceedings in motion and a steady public presence, the actor continues to maintain his composure, unwavering in the face of controversy.
About Thalaivan Thalaivii
Thalaivan Thalaivii (transl. Male leader, female leader) is a 2025 Indian Tamil-language romantic action comedy film written and directed by Pandiraj. Produced by Sathya Jyothi Films, the film stars Vijay Sethupathi and Nithya Menen in the lead roles.
The movie, which hit the big screens on July 25, has been going steady at the box-office, and has collected Rs 44 crore within five days of release.