Entertainment

IIE DIGITAL DESK : The storm erupted online as actor Vijay Sethupathi became the focus of serious accusations involving the casting couch, sparked by a viral post on X from a woman calling herself Ramya Mohan. In her now-deleted message, she claimed that Sethupathi offered her ₹2 lakh for "caravan favours" and ₹50,000 for "drives", and described a history of emotional manipulation and exploitation that spanned years. She said she was forced into transactions masquerading as industry norms, alleging: "She was used by him for years" .

Ramya Mohan’s account, initially intended to vent frustration, quickly garnered public attention. She later deleted the post, explaining it was shared under acute distress and could expose the alleged victim’s identity. She wrote that inquiries had become overwhelming and insisted she shared the message only to express anger—not to invite widespread visibility—asking for privacy and respect for the woman’s wellbeing .

The remarkable virality of the post led Reddit users to dissect both her claims and Sethupathi’s carefully crafted public image. One comment read:“I trust this person! People pretending to be Holier than thou online are the worst!”Another user added skepticism, noting: “These are heavy allegations... moral posturing guys are usually the worst.” .There has been no official confirmation or public response from Vijay Sethupathi or his representatives to the allegations. No legal notices or statements have yet been filed in connection with the claims, and the actor remains silent as the narrative unfolds .

News of these allegations comes at a delicate juncture for Sethupathi, who recently issued a public apology over criticism surrounding his son Surya’s behavior at a film premiere. The apology followed backlash over a video showing the child chewing gum while interacting with fans, which some viewers judged as arrogant—though Sethupathi clarified that the clip wasn’t removed at his request and expressed regret for unintended offense .

As the controversy persists, the industry remains cautious. While the accusations are unverified and tinged with anonymity, they underscore longstanding concerns about exploitation and power dynamics within the film world. Casting couch issues have been reported across multiple film industries in India, often involving hush-money offers and silent compromises.

Observing both online commentary and the absence of formal legal action, it remains unclear whether these allegations will evolve into a broader investigation or fade as an emotional outburst. No media-verified evidence has emerged to substantiate the claims; they currently remain allegations shared in the emotional aftermath of trauma, rather than documented legal or police complaints.

The timing is especially sensitive: major film productions featuring Sethupathi are underway, and his star power remains influential in Tamil cinema. Industry watchers are monitoring whether any further claimants come forward, and whether any official institution such as the Film Producers Council or industry unions will respond.

The story is developing. If you’d like, I can track updates, seek formal statements, or provide more context on similar cases in South Indian film industries.