Vijay Sethupathi, who began with small films and minor roles, made his debut subsequently in Tamil cinema and there has since been no looking back. From signing up big films and giving his career-best each time, Sethupathi, who has earned the moniker ‘Makkal Selvan’ in Kollywood, is raring to go.

In an exclusive chat with JFW, the actor opened up why his film ’96’, which released on October 4, is a heartwarming work of art.

“It’s a very sweet love story, something that all of us can relate to. Even people as young as 10 years old can connect to it, so can people as old as 50. It’s something about how people hold on to their past and move on in life. I play a travel photographer who happens to be going back to his hometown in Thanjavur. He reminisces about his school days and meets his old friends. There, he meets his school love, Jaanu, one night and the story takes off on what happens to them post that.”

On working with Trisha, the actor is full praises. “It’s a great experience working with her and I know no one else could’ve done a better job than her. And she really gets into the script!”

Speaking about director Premkumar, he says he didn’t think he had it in him to be a filmmaker until ’96’ happened.

“I’ve known Premkumar since 2007 when he was a cameraman. Now he’s my director and I’m his hero. I never knew Prem would be a director someday but now, I know that apart from a cameraman, he’s a very good filmmaker. This quality he himself didn’t know about it.”

The music, too, exudes all things calm, a lovely melancholic beat set by Govind Menon of Kerala-based band Thaikkudam Bridge fame.

Watch the full interview here: