Sean

He once took up odd jobs just to help his family make ends meet. Now, Vijay Sethupathi is set to represent Indian cinema at the International Emmys. The Tamil actor will become the first Indian actor to present an award at the 54th International Emmy Awards in New York on November 23, 2026. But getting here took years of hard work. Vijay worked as a salesman at a clothing showroom, a cashier and a telephone booth operator while completing his Bachelor of Commerce degree. He later moved to Dubai, where he worked as an accountant for three years. But the job didn’t bring him the fulfilment he was looking for. Returning to India, he joined theatre group Koothu-P-Pattarai as an accountant, learning the craft while continuing to audition for film roles. He also took up small parts in films before his big break. At 32, he landed his first lead role in Thenmerku Paruvakaatru (2010), which went on to win three National Film Awards. And now, the actor who once took up odd jobs to escape poverty is a household name, celebrated for his versatility and talent, and is set to present an award on the international stage. @VijaySethuOffl #VijaySethupathi #InternationalEmmyAwards2026 #IndianCinema #TamilCinema [Vijay Sethupathi International Emmy Awards 2026, Vijay Sethupathi first Indian presenter at International Emmys, Vijay Sethupathi success story]