Jason Sanjay, son of Tamil Nadu Chief Minister Vijay, has said that his decision to make his directorial debut has the backing of his family.
In an exclusive interview with Vikatan, the young filmmaker shared that he consulted his parents (Vijay and Sangeetha) along with his sister and close friends before deciding to make his debut in Kollywood. "I spoke to my parents, sister, and friends regarding my entry into cinema. They were all extremely positive and gave me a lot of energy," Sanjay said. "It was then that I truly realised how much faith they had in me."
The budding director stated that veteran actors Vijay Sethupathi and Soori extended their best wishes after the project was launched. Growing up in a family rooted in cinema, Sanjay admitted that his fascination with films began early. "I used to visit shooting spots from a very young age. I've watched many movies at premiere shows, and watching films has always been my biggest hobby," he added. For Sanjay, every film is a learning experience. "I pay close attention to the way the story is told - how it begins and how it's narrated. For me, it's like a game. After watching a movie, I'll excitedly narrate it to my friends and passionately explain the plot. That's where my journey as a storyteller truly began," he added. Turning Down Alphonse Puthren The director confirmed that Puthren had approached him with a story when he was just 20 years old and still in college. "His team had seen one of my photos and reached out," Sanjay recalled. "At that time, I wasn't planning to pursue acting or cinema as a career. I was still figuring out my path, so I didn't feel ready to take up such an opportunity. I felt it wouldn't be right to commit unless I was fully prepared. So, I respectfully told him he would find someone better suited for the role," he said. However, the young director admitted that being considered by Puthren remains a cherished memory. "The fact that he thought of me as a hero makes me feel proud and happy," he shared. When it came to his own directorial venture, Sanjay deliberately chose the more difficult path. "Once I was committed to my directorial debut, many people thought I'd make a romantic love story because of my age," he said. "However, instead of making a love story between two people, I wanted to make an adventurous heist film based on a gang." Sigma, produced by Lyca Productions, is a heist film with comedy. The film features Telugu actor Sundeep Kishan in the lead role, with Faria Abdullah marking her Tamil debut as the female lead. "Sundeep Kishan was our first choice. He liked my story, character, and screenplay, and immediately said yes," Sanjay revealed. "Faria is humble, has no ego, and treats everyone with kindness. She plays a powerful, emotionally intense character." The film also marks the return of veteran choreographer Raju Sundaram in a commanding acting role after a long hiatus. "It was truly a memorable experience to narrate my story and direct artists whom I've admired since childhood," Sanjay said. For now, he has put his acting aspirations on hold. "I'll think about acting only after Sigma," he stated. Sigma is currently in production and is expected to hit screens later this year.
Perhaps the most surprising revelation from the interview was Sanjay's decision to turn down an acting offer from acclaimed director Alphonse Puthren, known for the cult classic Premam.