Vijay Sethupathi's Son Surya On Dramatic 1.5-Year Weight Loss Before 'Phoenix', 'I Weighed 120 Kg..'

A new star is on the rise in Tamil cinema, and he is all set to carry his legendary father’s legacy, but in his own terms. Surya Sethupathi, son of acclaimed actor Vijay Sethupathi, is all set to make his leading debut in Phoenix, a sports-based action drama directed by Anl Arasu, slated for a theatrical release on July 4, 2025. While his gritty look in the film’s trailer has already impressed the audience, Surya recently recalled his incredible physical transformation that took one and a half years of hard work and self-discipline.

Surya Sethupathi reveals he weighed around 120 kg before Phoenix

Ahead of his big screen debut as a lead actor with Phoenix, Surya opened up in a candid interview with Zoom, reflecting on his dramatic weight loss journey before taking on the film. Surya, who earlier played the younger version of his father in Naanum Rowdy Dhaan, revealed that he once weighed around 120 kg. He spent 1.5 years transforming his physique and training in MMA to prepare for his lead role in Phoenix. He shared:

"Before the movie started, I weighed around 120 kg. It took me one and a half years to reduce my weight. In the process of reducing my weight, I learned MMA, which is the core of the movie."

Surya plays an MMA (Mixed Martial Arts) fighter in his leading debut, for which he trained rigorously in combat sports and fitness drills. Surya admitted that the first six months were especially challenging as he had to give up sugar and oil.

How Shah Rukh Khan’s Jawan landed Surya his leading debut in Phoenix

Saurya was previously seen in minor roles, one as a younger Vijay Sethupathi in Naanum Rowdy Dhaan (2015), and another where he appeared in a supporting role alongside his father in the 2019 film, Sindhubaadh. Viewers also saw the young actor in Vijay’s crime action films, Viduthalai Parts 1 and 2.

While Surya always wanted to become an actor, he was clueless about the steps to get there. Unexpectedly, during his brief appearance on the screen in Shah Rukh Khan’s superhit film, Jawan, where he went to meet his dad in the climax, he got the chance to lead Phoenix. Recalling how he was discovered by filmmaker Anl Arasu, Surya shared:

"I had this thought of becoming an actor, but I didn't know how to do that or reach there. And suddenly, when I went to meet my dad during Jawan's climax shoot, Anl Arasu sir saw me and he told my father about Phoenix's story. He said, ‘I want to do a movie with Suriya. Is it fine for you, sir?' And my dad said that's his wish. He should decide, let him hear the story and decide by himself. I heard the story, and after three days, I said okay, and that's how the journey started. I think I didn't choose the story, the story and director chose me.”

While Phoenix could easily be mistaken for a well-crafted launchpad for Surya, it was more of a personal script that he got selected for his qualities. Directed by Anl Arasu, the sports drama features Surya in a physically demanding role alongside Varalaxmi Sarathkumar, Sampath Raj, and Devadarshini. Phoenix also promises a high-octane MMA sequence with a blend of action and emotion.

What do you think about Surya’s dramatic weight loss journey?

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