During a #GandhiTalks movie promotion interview, Vijay Sethupathi did something rare — he spoke about money without pretending to be above it.
No poetic metaphors. No moral superiority. Just the truth.
> “Money is ultimate, everybody needs money… Money is basic, like food.”
That one sentence dismantles years of feel-good narratives that try to make poverty sound noble and ambition sound shameful.
Let’s Stop Lying About Money
Sethupathi doesn’t romanticise the struggle. He doesn’t say money doesn’t matter. He says the uncomfortable thing — it does.
Money is not a luxury. It’s not a bonus. It’s not something you pretend to outgrow once you’re successful. It’s the foundation that keeps everything else standing. Bills don’t care about passion. Responsibilities don’t pause for self-discovery.
Calling money “basic” isn’t greed — it’s honesty.
No Work, No Pay. Period.
Another line from the interview lands with brutal clarity:
> “I work hard & I do good work, only then people will pay me well. Otherwise they won’t.”
There’s no entitlement here. No victim narrative. No illusion that talent alone deserves reward. Sethupathi frames money as a byproduct of effort, not an automatic right.
In an age chasing shortcuts, virality, and overnight success, this mindset feels almost rebellious. Do the work. Do it well. Let value decide your worth.
It’s not inspirational — it’s practical. And that’s exactly why it works.
Money vs Happiness Is the Wrong Debate
> “We are comparing happiness with money, that is not right.”
This is where he separates sense from noise. Money was never meant to compete with happiness. It’s not emotional fulfillment — it’s infrastructure.
Food doesn’t make you happy, but starvation will destroy you. Money works the same way. It doesn’t guarantee joy, but the lack of it guarantees stress.
Happiness comes from meaningful work. Money simply gives that work room to breathe.
Why This Hits Harder Coming From Him
Vijay Sethupathi’s words carry weight because his career isn’t built on hype or privilege. It’s built on consistency, patience, and choosing substance over spectacle. He didn’t arrive by accident — he earned his place, one role at a time.
So when he talks about chasing money without shame, it doesn’t sound greedy. It sounds grounded.
The Real Takeaway
Sethupathi isn’t giving motivational quotes. He’s giving perspective.
Money isn’t evil.
Money isn’t happiness.
Money is necessary.
Work gives meaning.
Confusing the two only creates misery.
In a world obsessed with extremes — worshipping wealth on one side and demonising it on the other — Vijay Sethupathi quietly delivers the most balanced take of all.
And sometimes, the sharpest truths are the simplest ones.
