Vijay Sethupathi is a man with a heart of gold, he never frowns away from clicking selfies with his fans despite being swarmed by thousands wherever he goes. His movies are unique and the stories he chooses are intriguing – he seems to truly be the man of the masses. Adding another feather to his cap, the ‘Chekka Chevandha Vaanam’ actor has done the good deed of adopting two white tigers from Chennai’s Arignyar Anna Zoological Park, Vandalur.

Touting himself to be an animal lover, Sethupathi adopted a five-year-old male white tiger Adithya and the four-and-half-year-old Arthi. In a conference with the Zoo officials, the actor stated, “It gives one the feeling of going to the forest while being in the city. There are many animals here that are not present in other Indian forests. There is a safari too. People can keep coming back. The main reason is to enjoy the innocence of the animals. Come with your children. It’s jolly and useful. It is not necessary that everybody donates Rs 5 lakh, they can give whatever small amount is possible for them.” He also requested everybody to contribute to the zoo and the animals in their own ways.

As a start, Vijay Sethupathi donated Rs 5 lakh which will be used to take complete care of Adithya and Arthi. Ever since the adoption policy was implemented by the Zoo, deputy director Sudha Raman states that Rs 71 lakh has been donated towards the welfare of the animals with Vijay Sethupathi’s being the first adoption of the year.