Mumbai (Commonwealth Union)_ Indian cinema is slowly making its mark on the world stage, and actor Vijay Sethupathi is the newest name to join that list. The Tamil star is all set to become the first Indian actor to present an award at the 54th International Emmy Awards, which will be held in New York City on November 23. Sethupathi’s involvement is a milestone in Indian entertainment. His presence at one of the television industry’s major international events reflects the growing interest in Indian talent and storytelling beyond domestic audiences. He will join several international personalities presenting awards across different categories.
The celebrations will begin before the main ceremony, with nominees gathering in New York from November 20 to 22 for the International Emmy World Television Festival. The programme will feature panel discussions, presentations and networking events. According to reports, producer Kavita Gupta, a board member of the International Academy of Television Arts & Sciences, helped facilitate Sethupathi’s participation. This year’s awards feature 64 nominees across 16 categories, representing 22 countries. India also has a presence on the list, with Vir Das: Fool Volume, a Netflix comedy special, and Real Kashmir Football Club, a Sony LIV series, receiving nominations.
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India’s connection with the International Emmys is not new. Delhi Crime won Best Drama Series in 2020, while the first season of Sacred Games earned a nomination in 2019. Comedian Vir Das also made history in 2024 by hosting the ceremony after his 2023 win for Vir Das: Landing. Sethupathi’s rising international profile comes at an interesting point in his career. His latest film, Baththa, directed by Balaji Tharaneetharan, won rave reviews for its story about a gangster’s moral redemption. The director has lauded Sethupathi’s natural screen presence, comparing his appeal to Tom Hanks rather than the more exaggerated style of Tom Cruise. The actor also has several promising projects ahead. He will share the screen with Sai Pallavi in Mani Ratnam’s upcoming romantic drama Inji Vellam. He is also part of Thiagarajan Kumararaja’s Pocket Novel, which features Raj B Shetty and Malavika Mohanan.
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Meanwhile, his 2024 film Maharaja has also opened up new international opportunities. Following its strong performance in China, where it reportedly earned Rs 91.65 crore, the film has attracted interest from Hollywood. Its American remake rights have reportedly been acquired, while a sequel is also in development. Sethupathi’s Emmy appearance is therefore more than a personal milestone. It highlights how Indian actors and films are increasingly becoming part of global entertainment conversations. As international platforms explore stories from India, opportunities for Indian cinema to reach wider audiences continue to grow.
