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{{short description|2016 film by S. U. Arun Kumar}}
{{Distinguish|Sethupathi IPS}}
{{Use Indian English|date=April 2026}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=April 2026}}
{{Infobox film
| image = Sethupathi film poster.jpg
| caption = Theatrical release poster
| director = [[S. U. Arun Kumar]]
| writer = S. U. Arun Kumar
| producer = [[Vansan Movies|Shan Sutharsan]]
| starring = [[Vijay Sethupathi]]<br />[[Remya Nambessan]]
| cinematography = Dinesh B. Krishnan
| editing = [[A. Sreekar Prasad]]
| music = [[Nivas K. Prasanna]]
| studio = [[Vansan Movies]]
| distributor = 
| released = {{Film date|2016|2|19|df=y}}
| runtime = 122 minutes
| country = India
| language = Tamil
}}

'''''Sethupathi''''' is a 2016 Indian [[Tamil language|Tamil]]-language [[action drama film]] written and directed by [[S. U. Arun Kumar]] and produced by [[Vansan Movies]]. The film stars [[Vijay Sethupathi]] and [[Remya Nambessan]].<ref>{{Cite web |date=28 March 2015 |title=Remya to romance Vijay Sethupathi, again |url=http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/tamil/movies/news/Remya-to-romance-Vijay-Sethupathi-again/articleshow/46722900.cms |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150401040859/http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/tamil/movies/news/Remya-to-romance-Vijay-Sethupathi-again/articleshow/46722900.cms |archive-date=1 April 2015 |access-date=20 October 2015 |website=[[The Times of India]] |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=23 September 2015 |title=Vijay Sethupathi plays honest policeman in Sethupathi |url=http://www.newindianexpress.com/entertainment/tamil/Vijay-Sethupathi-Plays-Honest-Policeman-in-Sethupathi/2015/09/24/article3043774.ece |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150924232122/http://www.newindianexpress.com/entertainment/tamil/Vijay-Sethupathi-Plays-Honest-Policeman-in-Sethupathi/2015/09/24/article3043774.ece |archive-date=24 September 2015 |access-date=20 October 2015 |website=[[The New Indian Express]] |language=en}}</ref> It revolves around a police officer whose reputation suffers when a young suspect is severely injured in his custody and threats from his enemies increase.

The film was released worldwide on 19 February 2016<ref>{{Cite tweet |number=700516595106340864 |user=sri50 |title=Friday Feb 19 Releases – Tamil 1. #Miruthan, 2. #Sethupathi , 3. #NavarasaThilagam. Hindi :1 #Neeraja 2.#IshqForever 3. #Loveshhuda. 1/2 |first=Sreedhar |last=Pillai |access-date=25 April 2026 |language=en |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/nELGo |archive-date=25 April 2026 |url-status=live}}</ref> and became a box office hit.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Pillai |first=Sreedhar |date=26 June 2016 |title=After the success of 'Sethupathi' Will Vijay stop doing 'offbeat films'? |url=http://www.firstpost.com/bollywood/after-the-success-of-sethupathi-will-vijay-stop-doing-offbeat-films-2639156.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181226121232/https://www.firstpost.com/entertainment/after-the-success-of-sethupathi-will-vijay-stop-doing-offbeat-films-2639156.html |archive-date=26 December 2018 |access-date=27 June 2016 |website=[[Firstpost]] |language=en}}</ref> It was remade in [[Telugu language|Telugu]] as ''[[Jayadev (film)|Jayadev]]'' (2017).<ref>{{Cite web |date=29 June 2017 |title=DJ steals the show |url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/Visakhapatnam/dj-steals-the-show/article19167060.ece |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201112023025/https://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/Visakhapatnam/dj-steals-the-show/article19167060.ece |archive-date=12 November 2020 |access-date=25 April 2026 |work=[[The Hindu]] |language=en}}</ref>

== Plot ==
[[Sub-Inspector|SI]] Subburaj, who is on night rounds in his C3 Station limits, is lured into a trap and burnt to death by a group of henchmen. Despite being burnt inside his station limits, he stumbles across a small bridge and dies inside C4 Station's limit. This causes tension to the planner of the attack. Sethupathi is the Crime Section's [[police inspector|Inspector]] of C4 Station in [[Madurai]] who is awaiting his already-confirmed promotion to [[Assistant Commissioner|ACP]]. Subburaj's case is given to Sethupathi, who finds out that an influential politician, Vaathiyar of [[Melur]], is behind the murder.

SI Kanagavel is married to Vaathiyar's daughter, but the marriage is an unhappy one. Due to consistent conflict, Vaathiyar tries to make peace between the couple. One day, Vathiyar's daughter comes to his home after being assaulted by Kanagavel. Therefore, Vaathiyar decides to kill Kanagavel. One the eve of the incident, Kanagavel faces an accident and is off-duty due to minor injury. Subburaj, who is attached as Crime SI in the same police station, is filling in for him.

Sethupathi arrests Vaathiyar during a temple festival and forces him to travel to Chennai to apply for bail, earning his enmity. Later, Sethupathi interrogates two adolescent schoolboys who had sold a stolen chain which was lost in a chain-snatching attempt. When they do not speak up, Sethupathi threatens to shoot them on the count of five, albeit using a locked gun. At the fifth count, he accidentally shoots one of the boys in the neck when the other tries to flee, leaving him critically injured. Sethupathi is charged with attempt-to-murder and is suspended.

However, he had no intention of shooting either of the boys and realises someone had unlocked his gun, which he had thought was locked. He soon finds out that Kanagavel is responsible for unlocking his gun. Kanagavel covertly bribes constable Muruganandham in C4 Station to unlock the gun and replace the bullets with dummy ones, so that Sethupathi will be defenceless when attacked by Vaathiyar's men.

Kanagavel assumes that if an inspector (who is investigating brutal murder of an SI) is attacked, the department will retaliate harshly to either kill or to put Vaathiyar in prison for life, so Kanagavel will be not be separated from his daughter. Kanagavel reveals the truth to the City [[Police Commissioner]], and Commissioner tells him to repeat it in the enquiry commission, but the same night, Kanagavel is tied to a long-distance electric pole and burnt alive by Vaathiyar.

Sethupathi and Muruganandham appear before an enquiry of three officials to prove the former's innocence. However, one of the members of the enquiry panel is an ally of Vaathiyar and she tries to influence the panel against Sethupathi. Muruganandham's daughter is kidnapped minutes before the final enquiry, and he turns against Sethupathi. The same evening, the Commissioner and Regional Civil Commissioner visit Muruganandham's home and uncover the truth.

Since these two officers are on the committee, Sethupathi's job is saved. However, Sethupathi's troubles are still not over; Vaathiyar starts targeting Sethupathi and his family. Sethupathi overcomes all the hurdles put by Vaathiyar and his henchmen. Vaathiyar then decides to silence Sethupathi once and for all by sending his henchmen to kill Sethupathi's wife Malarvizhi and two children, but Sethupathi's son, who is aware of the police work, wields Sethupathi's armed revolver to ward them off.

Infuriated with the failed attempt, Vaathiyar instructs his men to kill the schoolboy injured by Sethupathi and put the blame on him. However, Sethupathi, aware of Vaathiyar's plan, guards the hospital where the boy is admitted and saves him from Vaathiyar's henchmen. With Sethupathi returning to work, Vaathiyar's henchmen accept defeat and warn Vaathiyar to leave Madurai for good, but he does not take heed. The next day, Sethupathi kills Vaathiyar by setting his house on fire and closes the case.

== Cast ==
{{cast listing|
* [[Vijay Sethupathi]] as Kalimuthu Sethupathi
* [[Remya Nambessan]] as Malarvizhi
* [[Vela Ramamoorthy]] as Vaathiyar
* [[Mime Gopi]] as Anbuselvan
* [[Vivek Prasanna]] as Madhivaanan
* [[Linga (actor)|Linga]] as Shenbaga Moorthy
* [[Raaghavan|Master Raghavan]] as Mara
* [[Redin Kingsley]] as Raja
* [[TSR Srinivasan]] as B. V. Kumar
* Baby Thanushra
* Muruganandham
* Karuppu Nambiar
* Francis
* Murugan
* Santhanalakshmi
}}

== Production ==
''Sethupathi'' is [[S. U. Arun Kumar]]'s sophomore directorial venture. [[Vijay Sethupathi]], who played the lead in Arun Kumar's directorial debut ''[[Pannaiyarum Padminiyum]]'' (2014), returned as the lead actor. He initially suggested titling the film ''Ka. Sethupathi'', but the director did not agree. Before [[Remya Nambessan]] was cast as the lead actress, a number of actresses refused the film; Sethupathi believed it was because of their reluctance to play a motherly role.<ref name="interview">{{Cite news |last=Srinivasan |first=Sudhir |date=20 February 2016 |title=Actor Vijay Sethupathi on his recent films |url=https://www.thehindu.com/features/cinema/actor-vijay-sethupathi-on-his-recent-films/article8261284.ece |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250224114927/https://www.thehindu.com/features/cinema/actor-vijay-sethupathi-on-his-recent-films/article8261284.ece |archive-date=24 February 2025 |access-date=25 April 2026 |work=[[The Hindu]] |language=en}}</ref> Because he plays a police officer, Sethupathi sported a [[handlebar moustache]].<ref>{{Cite news |date=13 October 2015 |title=Vijay Sethupathi: From rowdy to cop |url=https://www.thehindu.com/features/metroplus/vijay-sethupathi-from-rowdy-to-cop/article7757322.ece |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220807061926/https://www.thehindu.com/features/metroplus/vijay-sethupathi-from-rowdy-to-cop/article7757322.ece |archive-date=7 August 2022 |access-date=25 April 2026 |work=[[The Hindu]] |language=en}}</ref> He initially wanted the character to be clean shaven, but Arun felt that look would not be appealing enough.<ref name="interview" /> Arun sought to make Sethupathi's character a realistic and believable police officer, in contrast to other Tamil films where he felt police officers were outrageously depicted.<ref>{{Cite news |date=16 February 2016 |title=Vijay’s action avatar in ‘Sethupathi’ will stand out: director S.U. Arun Kumar |url=https://indianexpress.com/article/entertainment/regional/vijays-action-avatar-in-sethupathi-will-stand-out-director-s-u-arun-kumar/ |url-status=deviated |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160217094435/https://indianexpress.com/article/entertainment/regional/vijays-action-avatar-in-sethupathi-will-stand-out-director-s-u-arun-kumar/ |archive-date=17 February 2016 |access-date=25 April 2026 |work=[[The Indian Express]] |language=en |agency=[[Indo-Asian News Service|IANS]]}}</ref> [[Principal photography]] began in late September 2015.<ref>{{Cite web |last=KR |first=Manigandan |date=24 September 2015 |title=Vijay Sethupathi Plays Honest Policeman in Sethupathi |url=https://www.newindianexpress.com/entertainment/tamil/2015/Sep/24/vijay-sethupathi-plays-honest-policeman-in-sethupathi-819640.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250527215452/https://www.newindianexpress.com/entertainment/tamil/2015/Sep/24/vijay-sethupathi-plays-honest-policeman-in-sethupathi-819640.html |archive-date=27 May 2025 |access-date=6 May 2025 |website=[[The New Indian Express]] |language=en}}</ref> The film was primarily shot in [[Madurai]].<ref>{{Cite news |last=Balachandran |first=Logesh |date=3 October 2016 |title=Madurai becomes the favourite backdrop for Tamil filmmakers |url=http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/tamil/movies/news/Madurai-becomes-the-favourite-backdrop-for-Tamil-filmmakers/articleshow/54641320.cms |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161007040830/http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/tamil/movies/news/Madurai-becomes-the-favourite-backdrop-for-Tamil-filmmakers/articleshow/54641320.cms |archive-date=7 October 2016 |access-date=25 April 2026 |work=[[The Times of India]] |language=en}}</ref> The entire filming process took place over a single schedule.<ref>{{Cite web |last=KR |first=Manigandan |date=4 January 2016 |title='Sethupathi' – A Day in the Life of a Cop |url=https://www.newindianexpress.com/entertainment/tamil/2016/Jan/04/sethupathi---a-day-in-the-life-of-a-cop-864204.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250527215451/https://www.newindianexpress.com/entertainment/tamil/2016/Jan/04/sethupathi---a-day-in-the-life-of-a-cop-864204.html |archive-date=27 May 2025 |access-date=6 May 2025 |website=[[The New Indian Express]] |language=en}}</ref>

== Soundtrack ==
The film's music was composed by [[Nivas K. Prasanna]].<ref>{{Cite news |title=SETHUPATHI - Nivas K.Prasanna Tamil Audio Cd (FACTORY SEALED PACK) |url=https://www.audiocdworld.com/product/sethupathi-nivas-k-prasanna-tamil-audio-cd-2/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20260116053322/https://www.audiocdworld.com/product/sethupathi-nivas-k-prasanna-tamil-audio-cd-2/ |archive-date=16 January 2026 |access-date=25 April 2026 |work=Audio CDs World |language=en}}</ref> The audio launch was held on 20 January 2016.<ref>{{Cite news |last=KR |first=Manigandan |date=23 January 2016 |title=Vijay's Secrets to Success |url=https://www.newindianexpress.com/entertainment/tamil/2016/Jan/23/vijays-secrets-to-success-872151.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20260425031209/https://www.newindianexpress.com/entertainment/tamil/2016/jan/23/vijays-secrets-to-success-872151.html |archive-date=25 April 2026 |access-date=25 April 2026 |work=[[The New Indian Express]] |language=en}}</ref>

{{Track listing
| headline = Track listing
| extra_column = Singer(s)
| total_length = 22:09
| title1 = Mazhai Thooralam
| lyrics1 = [[Na. Muthukumar]]
| extra1 = [[Nivas K. Prasanna]]
| length1 = 5:40
| title2 = Konji Pesida Venaam
| lyrics2 = Na. Muthukumar
| extra2 = [[K. S. Chithra]], [[Sriram Parthasarathy]]
| length2 = 3:47
| title3 = Hey Mama
| lyrics3 = Na. Muthukumar, [[Blaaze]]
| extra3 = [[Anirudh Ravichander]], Blaaze, [[MK Balaji]]
| length3 = 4:29
| title4 = Hawa Hawa
| lyrics4 = MK Balaji
| extra4 = [[Karthik (singer)|Karthik]], [[Saindhavi]]
| length4 = 4:16
| title5 = Thaen Kootil
| lyrics5 = Na. Muthukumar
| extra5 = V. M. Mahalingam
| length5 = 3:43
}}

== Critical reception ==
Vishal Menon of ''[[The Hindu]]'' said that ''Sethupathi'' was a good thriller and a better family drama.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Menon |first=Vishal |date=19 February 2016 |title=Sethupathi: A good thriller, a better family drama |url=http://www.thehindu.com/features/cinema/cinema-reviews/sethupathi-a-good-thriller-a-better-family-drama/article8258185.ece |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160310221523/http://www.thehindu.com/features/cinema/cinema-reviews/sethupathi-a-good-thriller-a-better-family-drama/article8258185.ece |archive-date=10 March 2016 |access-date=20 February 2016 |website=[[The Hindu]] |language=en}}</ref> Latha Srinivasan of ''[[DNA India]]'' wrote that there were no loud over-the-top dialogues and punchlines that were typical of all on-screen cops in Tamil films and Vijay Sethupathi had outshone many other Tamil film heroes as the cop.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Srinivasan |first=Latha |date=19 February 2016 |title='Sethupathi' review: Vijay Sethupathi outshines many other Kollywood heroes as the cop |url=http://www.dnaindia.com/entertainment/review-sethupathi-review-vijay-sethupathi-outshines-many-other-heroes-in-kollywood-as-the-cop-2179674 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180615160141/http://www.dnaindia.com/entertainment/review-sethupathi-review-vijay-sethupathi-outshines-many-other-heroes-in-kollywood-as-the-cop-2179674 |archive-date=15 June 2018 |access-date=20 February 2016 |website=[[DNA India]] |language=en}}</ref> Malini Mannath of ''[[The New Indian Express]]'' wrote that it is another feather in the cap for Sethupathi, who reveals his versatility yet again handles his role with remarkable understanding.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Mannath |first=Malini |date=21 February 2016 |title=Sethupathi Review: One More Feather in Sethupathi's Hat |url=http://www.newindianexpress.com/entertainment/reviews/Sethupathi-Review-One-More-Feather-in-Sethupathis-Hat/2016/02/21/article3288404.ece |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160223103838/http://www.newindianexpress.com/entertainment/reviews/Sethupathi-Review-One-More-Feather-in-Sethupathis-Hat/2016/02/21/article3288404.ece |archive-date=23 February 2016 |access-date=4 March 2016 |website=[[The New Indian Express]] |language=en}}</ref> Anupama Subramaniam of ''[[Deccan Chronicle]]'' wrote that "Vijay Sethupathi's moves are full of energy and enthusiasm and his impeccable dialogue delivery is a treat to watch."<ref>{{Cite web |last=Subramaniam |first=Anupama |date=20 February 2016 |title=Sethupathi movie review: A well-made entertainer that is not to be missed! |url=https://www.deccanchronicle.com/entertainment/movie-reviews/200216/sethupathi-movie-review-a-well-made-entertainer-that-is-not-to-be-missed.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230410012159/https://www.deccanchronicle.com/entertainment/movie-reviews/200216/sethupathi-movie-review-a-well-made-entertainer-that-is-not-to-be-missed.html |archive-date=10 April 2023 |access-date=6 June 2024 |website=[[Deccan Chronicle]] |language=en}}</ref> ''[[Sify]]'' wrote, "The biggest strength of the film is the fine characterization of Vijay Sethupathi and his effortless performance".<ref>{{Cite web |date=20 February 2016 |title=Sethupathi review |url=http://www.sify.com/movies/sethupathi-review-go-for-it-review-tamil-qcuk6Nhfahghi.html |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180601140753/http://www.sify.com/movies/sethupathi-review-go-for-it-review-tamil-qcuk6Nhfahghi.html |archive-date=1 June 2018 |access-date=25 April 2026 |website=[[Sify]] |language=en}}</ref>

== Accolades ==
At the [[6th South Indian International Movie Awards]], [[K. S. Chithra]] won the award for Best Playback Female Singer.<ref>{{Cite news |date=2 July 2017 |title=SIIMA 2017 concludes: Ranbir-Kat make a special appearance |url=http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/tamil/movies/news/siima-2017-concludes-ranbir-kat-make-a-special-appearance/articleshow/59408453.cms |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180813150004/https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/tamil/movies/news/siima-2017-concludes-ranbir-kat-make-a-special-appearance/articleshow/59408453.cms |archive-date=13 August 2018 |access-date=3 July 2017 |work=[[The Times of India]] |language=en}}</ref>

== References ==
{{reflist}}

== External links ==
*{{IMDb title}}
*{{Rotten Tomatoes}}
{{S. U. Arun Kumar}}

[[Category:2010s police films]]
[[Category:2016 action drama films]]
[[Category:2016 films]]
[[Category:2016 Indian films]]
[[Category:2016 masala films]]
[[Category:2016 Tamil-language films]]
[[Category:Fictional portrayals of the Tamil Nadu Police]]
[[Category:Films directed by S. U. Arun Kumar]]
[[Category:Films scored by Nivas K. Prasanna]]
[[Category:Films set in Madurai]]
[[Category:Films shot in Madurai]]
[[Category:Indian action drama films]]
[[Category:Indian police films]]
[[Category:Tamil films remade in other languages]]
[[Category:Tamil-language action drama films]]
[[Category:Tamil-language Indian films]]

Sethupathi (film) - Revision history

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