Actor Vijay Sethupathi has made public appeals to Tamil Nadu Chief Minister Joseph Vijay, popularly addressed as “Vaathi”, requesting policy support for the Tamil film industry during the audio launch event of the film Parimala & Co. The actor used the platform to raise concerns related to theatre economics and digital distribution, calling for government intervention in key areas affecting Kollywood.

The remarks were made while Sethupathi was attending the audio launch of Pandiraj’s upcoming film Parimala & Co, starring actors Jayaram and Urvashi. As he addressed the gathering, audience members reportedly chanted “Vaathi”, a reference to Vijay’s popular screen persona from the film Master, before he transitioned into speaking about industry challenges and policy suggestions.

Sethupathi specifically urged the state government to consider launching a dedicated OTT platform under government oversight, echoing similar suggestions previously made by filmmaker Kamal Haasan. He argued that the OTT ecosystem had undergone rapid expansion and volatility, and said a structured platform could help bring clarity and stability to digital distribution for regional cinema.

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In another key appeal, the actor highlighted rising production costs in the film industry and stated that theatre ticket prices in Tamil Nadu had remained largely unchanged for years. He suggested that revising ticket pricing could provide relief to producers facing increased financial pressure, particularly in an environment where revenue models are increasingly dependent on digital rights and post-theatrical distribution.

Sethupathi’s comments come amid ongoing discussions within the Tamil film industry about taxation, ticket pricing regulation, and OTT release windows. These issues have been repeatedly raised by industry stakeholders, including actor Vishal, who has also advocated for reforms such as a government ticketing system, subsidy support for small-budget films, and structural changes to film distribution policies.

The broader debate reflects a growing push from within Kollywood for policy adjustments to match changing consumption patterns in cinema, as stakeholders balance theatrical viability with the expanding influence of streaming platforms and digital rights revenue.

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