‘Sigma’ star Sundeep Kishan all praise for Vijay’s son Jason Sanjay’s directorial debut: 'I've always been very lucky'

Actor Sundeep Kishan, who made his acting debut with the Telugu film 'Prasthanam' in 2010, has built a distinctive career by balancing projects across Telugu and Tamil cinema. Without relying on industry connections, he has steadily established himself through perseverance and carefully chosen roles. The actor is currently awaiting the release of 'Sigma', a Tamil film directed by Jason Sanjay, the son of Tamil Nadu Chief Minister C. Joseph Vijay.Sharing his experience with Variety India of collaborating with 25-year-old Jason Sanjay on 'Sigma', Sundeep had nothing but praise for the debut filmmaker.“Sanjay is an extremely hardworking boy. He and his team have been working on this project for a very long time. They did the pre-production as well as edit work extensively. One can learn a lot about patience from him, which I was really blown away by.” The actor said what impressed him most was Jason’s clarity and composure despite his young age.“For a 25-year-old to be that patient, calm and clear about what he wanted while directing was amazing. He has studied filmmaking and editing. It was joyful to see him and his team work.” Sundeep also noted that collaborating with someone from a younger generation offered a fresh perspective on storytelling.“It had been a very long time since I worked with a filmmaker that young and it was a very interesting experience. It was an insight into how the present-day generation looks at film narration. He does look a lot like his father. He's one of the most grounded, humble boys you’ll ever meet. I am glad to have a brother like him today.”Over the years, Sundeep has frequently worked with first-time directors, and he believes that instinct has worked in his favour. “I've always been very lucky with first-time filmmakers. I think somewhere I gravitate towards first-time directors who come with genuine intent and passion. Once again, I am lucky to have found a filmmaker who I am sure will make me proud.”Reflecting on his journey from 'Prasthanam' to the present, Sundeep said he views his career through the lens of learning and growth. “I’m grateful. Academically, I come from a marketing background. I tend to see people’s career trajectories as case studies, the best moves, the worst moves, how audience mindsets shape a film's success and how that impacts actors.”He added that the unconventional path he has taken across languages has made his career particularly rewarding. “Considering the kind of cinema I've always tried to back, the kind of projects I've always tried to create for myself, and the fact that I've been moving across languages, it has been a very unique career plan, I guess.”When asked about Vijay’s transition from cinema to politics and his rise as Tamil Nadu’s Chief Minister, Sundeep chose to keep his response measured. “I’m not a very politically opinionated person. Both in politics and religion, I like to keep it very personal always. But he is the Chief Minister now, so that part we're very proud of.”Sundeep Kishan appears to be entering one of the most productive phases of his career. With 'Sigma', the Netflix series 'Super Subu', the Telugu film 'Pavarpeta', and another large-scale project in the pipeline, the actor has a diverse slate ahead. In addition to acting, he is also set to expand his creative footprint as a producer by backing a film featuring newcomers. As he continues to balance projects across multiple industries and genres, Sundeep's upcoming lineup reflects both his ambition and his willingness to explore new opportunities within cinema.