Vijay Sethupathi has addressed the controversy surrounding his son, Surya Vijay Sethupathi, and a viral video, issuing an apology at the premiere of Surya's debut film, Phoenix. The actor's statement comes after reports surfaced alleging that he had pressured individuals to remove online videos related to his son.

At the Phoenix premiere, Vijay Sethupathi expressed his gratitude to the film's team and the audience. However, he also addressed the swirling controversy. When questioned about the alleged video takedown requests, Vijay Sethupathi offered a clarification and apology, stating, "If something like that happened, it might have been done unknowingly or by someone else. I sincerely apologize if anyone was hurt or misunderstood the intention". He stood by his son, who is making his acting debut with the film.

Phoenix, directed by Anal Arasu, is a sports drama that stars Surya Vijay Sethupathi, Varalaxmi Sarathkumar, Devadarshini, and Sampath Raj. The film narrates the story of a young wrestler's struggles against powerful and corrupt figures. The film features cinematography by Velraj, music by Sam C.S., and editing by Praveen K.L.

The movie's release was initially slated for November of last year but was postponed to avoid clashing with Suriya's Kanguva.

Adding to the buzz around Phoenix, superstar Thalapathy Vijay watched the film and shared positive feedback with the team. Director Anal Arasu posted on social media, conveying Thalapathy Vijay's positive reaction. Surya also expressed his gratitude to Vijay for his support.

Surya shared photos with Thalapathy Vijay on social media, writing, "Thank you, Vijay sir. The last hug, the kind words, the warmth — it meant everything. I've always looked up to you, and to feel your support on this journey is something I'll never forget".

Meanwhile, Vijay Sethupathi is preparing for the release of Thalaivan Thalaivii, a romantic comedy-drama set to release on July 25th.