Vijay Sethupathi, a leading figure in the Indian film industry, recently made headlines during a press meet for his upcoming film “Merry Christmas.” However, it wasn’t the film itself that took the spotlight but rather the actor’s response to a question about Tamil Nadu’s hesitation in learning Hindi.
Addressing the query, Sethupathi said the importance of not imposing any language on individuals. He clarified that the issue isn’t about discouraging the study of Hindi but rather advocating against enforcement. According to him, the freedom to learn any language should prevail without pressure or imposition.
This isn’t the first time Sethupathi faced such questioning. He recalled a similar inquiry from the same reporter during a prior event when Aamir Khan was present. The actor questioned the relevance of this topic during a film’s promotion and highlighted the distinction between discouraging imposition and hindering language learning.
Moreover, Sethupathi referred to Minister Palanivel Thiagarajan’s comments on the matter in an interview, indicating that this subject has garnered attention beyond the film industry.
“Merry Christmas,” directed by Sriram Raghavan, marks his Tamil directorial debut and features an ensemble cast including Katrina Kaif, Radhika Apte, and others. The film, set to release on January 12, explores a thrilling narrative about two strangers’ eventful Christmas night, taking a tumultuous turn from romance to a chilling ordeal.
Produced by Tips Films and Matchbox Pictures, the movie boasts Pritam’s musical compositions, Daniel B George’s background score, cinematography by Madhu Neelakandan, and editing by Pooja Ladha Surti.
Sethupathi’s stance added a different dimension to film promotion discussions and also triggered broader conversations about language learning and the importance of freedom in linguistic choices. As the film’s release approaches, this unexpected discourse sparked by Sethupathi’s comments continues to garner attention beyond the entertainment industry.
