Actor Vijay Sethupathi is celebrating his birthday on Saturday, with wishes pouring in for the superstar on social media from celebrities and fans alike. 'Makkal Selvan', as he is fondly called by his ardent fans, the actor has gotten entangled in a controversy now after a birthday celebration photo taken a few days back has gone viral on social media for the wrong reasons. The picture, which has Vijay Sethupathi cutting a birthday cake using a large sword has stirred a lot of debate, with the versatile actor now issuing a response on his social media pages. 

Extending his heartfelt gratitude to the people and those in the film industry for their birthday wishes, Vijay Sethupathi addressed the controversy that has stemmed after the photo of the cake cutting using a long dagger went viral. Stating that the photo was taken three days back at director Ponram's office with his team, Vijay Sethupathi wrote in his note, "I used the sword to cut the cake as it is an important property in Ponram's new movie which I'm working on now. I have heard many people saying that I am setting a wrong example as a result. I want to assure everyone that I will be careful in such matters going forward. I also want to extend my sincere apologies in case I have hurt anybody's feelings."

Vijay Sethupathi has issued his clarification in quick time and on the occasion of his birthday today before the issue gets any bigger. It is to be noted that the actor's name had been embroiled in a big controversy sometime back after he announced to be acting in the former Sri Lankan cricketer Muttiah Muralitharan biopic titled 800. As the project went on to face a huge backlash on social media with many stating that it hurt the Tamil Eelam sentiments, he later issued a statement that he has withdrawn his decision to act in the film. Vijay Sethupathi has garnered a reputation over the years of keeping himself working on one film after another in quick succession, with the actor hardly taking any big breaks in between. 

2021 has started off on a big bang for Vijay Sethupathi as his first film of the year, 'Thalapathy' Vijay's Master, in which he plays the antagonist, has been fetching him rave reviews from fans and critics alike for his power-packed performance, with the film as well taking as astounding response at the box office. Apart from Ponram's new movie, Vijay Sethupathi's upcoming film lineup includes Seenu Ramasamy's Maamanithan, S. P. Jananathan's Laabam, Venkata Krishna Roghanth's Yaadhum Oore Yaavarum Kelir, Delhi Prasad Deenadayal's Tughlaq Durbar, Annabelle Subramaniam opposite Taapsee Pannu, Vignesh Shivn's Kaathu Vaakula Rendu Kaadhal, Kadaisi Vivasayi under Kaaka Muttai fame M. Manikandan's direction, Uppena in Telugu, followed by Aamir Khan's Laal Singh Chaddha and the Maanagaram remake Mumbaikar in Hindi and 19(1)(a) in Malayalam opposite Nithya Menen.