Cinema VinesFilmmaker Jason Sanjay, the son of former Tamil Nadu Chief Minister Vijay, has spoken about how his father’s political rise has reshaped his own sense of duty and ambition. In a recent interview with Behindwoods TV, Jason reflected on growing up in the shadow of his father’s public life and how that experience has driven him to carve out his own identity in cinema. He described his father’s electoral victory as a “historic revolution” in Tamil Nadu, adding that it has placed the responsibility of safeguarding the family’s legacy on him, his sister, and their relatives. The weight of that legacy, he said, has made him more conscious of his public conduct and the impact of his creative choices.
Although acting has always fascinated Jason, he has no plans to step in front of the camera until his directorial debut, the feature film “Sigma,” is released. When asked which Indian actor he would cast alongside Hollywood action star Jason Statham if he ever got the chance to direct a film, his answer was immediate: “Appa,” a nod to his father. He explained that cinema has been a constant in his life, but filmmaking was not his childhood dream. He grew up around film sets, considered them a normal environment, and initially aspired to become a pilot before briefly dreaming of a cricket career. It was during his Plus Two years that he decided to pursue a career in film.
To prepare for his new path, Jason studied filmmaking in Canada, training in cinematography, editing, and direction. While there, he directed advertisements for startups and volunteered at the Toronto International Film Festival, an experience that broadened his perspective on global cinema. He recalled meeting actor Nivin Pauly at the premiere of “Moothon” at the festival, joking that the actor might not remember the encounter. Jason’s journey into feature filmmaking began with the story of “Sigma,” which he developed with his own team after first discussing the idea with Sanjeev, a close friend of his father. The completed script was later pitched to Lyca Productions.
Jason was pleasantly surprised when Lyca Productions, which had launched its filmmaking journey with Vijay’s “Kaththi,” backed the project and offered creative suggestions that helped shape the final screenplay. He admitted that the opportunity came with pressure, as he felt a personal responsibility to justify the trust the production house had placed in him and to ensure the film’s success. He also recalled a brief appearance in his father’s “Vettaikaaran,” where he was frightened by the large crowd during a dance sequence and instinctively ran to hug his father, who comforted him and encouraged him to finish the shoot. That memory resurfaced while he was directing his own film.
Jason credits his father with encouraging him to build an identity independent of Vijay’s stardom. According to him, Vijay always told him that help would be an asset rather than a crutch, a philosophy that has guided Jason as he navigates the challenges of the film industry while honoring the legacy his family has built. With “Sigma” set to debut soon, the filmmaker looks forward to proving that he can stand on his own while carrying forward the values instilled by his father.
