An intriguing facet of professionalism and culture often comes to the fore in the realm of cinema, where the dynamics between actors can mirror a delicate dance of respect and camaraderie. A testament to this nuanced interpersonal interaction was recently highlighted in the experiences of Bollywood stars Katrina Kaif and Vicky Kaushal. The husband-and-wife duo, both powerhouses of talent in the Indian film industry, found themselves contemplating the appropriate manner of addressing their esteemed colleague Vijay Sethupathi.
The context for this dilemma was set against the backdrop of the eagerly anticipated film ‘Merry Christmas’, directed by the acclaimed Sriram Raghavan. With an ensemble that promises stellar performances, it is the first instance of Katrina Kaif and Vijay Sethupathi sharing the screen as protagonists. In a candid revelation to the media platform Pinkvilla, Katrina shared her and Kaushal’s uncertainty about whether or not to address Sethupathi with the honorific ‘sir’.
“On the car over here, I was talking to Vicky and I said Vijay sir… And he said, ‘Aap Vijay sir bulate hain? (You call him Vijay sir?)’ I said sometimes I do, and sometimes I don’t,” Katrina conveyed to Pinkvilla before inquiring directly to Vijay Sethupathi, who was present at the same panel, “Should I be calling you Vijay sir or Vijay?”
The ensuing moment was lighthearted yet reflective of the respect that the industry holds for its members. Sethupathi, with his characteristic humility, intervened to clarify his age as 44, triggering Katrina to elaborate further, “We thought we’ll decide, umar ke hisab se (as per his age). I don’t know, I’m confused.”
Sethupathi’s response underscored the essence of mutual respect pervasive within the acting community. “Kuch bhi chalega (Anything will work),” he remarked sagely, implying that formalities were secondary to the mutual recognition of each other as artists. “We actors generally call each other sir or brother. You can call me Vijay, Hi Vijay, Hey Vijay. Kuch bhi chalega.”
Interestingly, the casting essence of ‘Merry Christmas’ carried its own narrative. The film’s conception sparked after Katrina, having met Sriram Raghavan informally post the success of ‘Andhadhun’, found herself intrigued by a story presented by the visionary director. As talks progressed, the lead male character’s role, which is now duly embraced by Vijay Sethupathi, was initially associated with Saif Ali Khan.
“I had spoken to Saif Ali Khan and he liked the story, but then I had to say ‘no’ to him. I wanted a unique pairing. That is the story requirement,” disclosed Raghavan. The director aimed to cast actors devoid of previous on-screen connections, part of a creative choice to maintain the freshness of the characters’ dynamics.
The serendipitous nature of cinema’s behind-the-scenes dealings often leads to fortuitous collaborations, as was the case when Raghavan, heading to a film festival in Melbourne, encountered Sethupathi’s performance in the Tamil film ’96’. A meeting in Melbourne further sealed the deal, as Sethupathi’s tenure in Dubai had furnished him with a command over the Hindi language, a critical element for the character he was set to play. This ‘oddball combination’, as Raghavan aptly termed it, soon became a promising prospect, stirring excitement for both the director and the forthcoming audience.
As production advanced, and with the impending release of ‘Merry Christmas’, Katrina Kaif and Vijay Sethupathi’s partnership is highly anticipated by fans eager to behold the amalgamation of their acting prowess. This narrative of on-set discoveries and naming conventions is but a slice of the larger cinematic journey, one that continues to captivate with its ever-unfolding human stories, whether on-screen or off.
