New Delhi: Vijay Sethupathi just dropped a birthday bombshell that’s got fans buzzing. On January 16, 2026, the makers unveiled the gritty first-look poster and title of his explosive new film, Slum Dog 33 Temple Road, with director Puri Jagannadh.
Picture this: Sethupathi as a wild, bearded slum-dweller wielding a massive sickle amid flying cash in a foggy alley—raw, ruthless, and ready to rumble. Is this the mass entertainer that’ll shatter box office records?
First-look frenzy
The poster, released on Sethupathi’s birthday, shows him in a never-before-seen rugged avatar. He sports wild hair, a thick beard, beggar-like torn clothes, boots, and a flowing scarf, raising a giant sickle high. Bundles of cash swirl around him in a dark, foggy slum backdrop, perfectly matching the tagline 33 Temple Road. This striking visual screams intense action and drama, instantly hooking fans across social media.
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Stellar cast and crew
Samyuktha stars as the female lead opposite Sethupathi, playing a “crucial and emotional role,” with makers noting she is “happy with her character.” Tabu and Duniya Vijay Kumar take on key supporting parts, joined by comedy legends Brahmanandam and VTV Ganesh. The film is backed by Puri Jagannadh and Charmme Kaur under Puri Connects, alongside JB Narayan Rao Kondrolla of JB Motion Pictures. National Award-winning composer Harshavardhan Rameshwar, fresh off Arjun Reddy and Animal, handles the music.
Production timeline
Shooting kicked off in July 2025, with major action sequences wrapped by October last year. The team has now completed principal photography and shifted to post-production. Makers promise a “mass and commercial entertainer” that blends “Puri Jagannadh’s style with Vijay Sethupathi’s strong screen presence.” It’s gearing up for a massive pan-India release in five languages: Telugu, Tamil, Kannada, Malayalam, and Hindi.
Sethupathi’s hot streak
Sethupathi was last seen in Thalaivan Thalaivii. In a recent chat with The Hollywood Reporter, he revealed that he’ll make a cameo in Rajinikanth’s Jailer 2. This Puri-Sethupathi combo marks their first collaboration, building huge hype with its bold title and teaser vibes from YouTube glimpses. Fans are already calling it “RAW. RUTHLESS. REAL.” Expect fireworks at the box office.