The trailer begins with film producers talking about Ayya Aadhimoolam (Vijay Sethupathi), a successful actor who has stopped coming to shoots to the Tamil Nadu Film Producers’ Council. Ayya is revered within the industry and seems to have legions of fans. Everyone wonders where the actor is. Is it ennui, or something deeper? Passing shots of Vijay Sethupathi as Ayya show him sitting in unbearable sadness. The audience doesn't yet know why Ayya refuses to act, and everyone surrounding him seems to be perplexed by his withdrawal.
The issue becomes big enough to be taken to court, where a judge asks Ayya if he is willing to go back to the shoot or risk facing the court’s wrath.
Seethakaathi , touted to be the actor’s 25th film, feels like a meta commentary on the industry, as well as a look inside the performer’s head. Vijay Sethupathi is in heavy prosthetics in his role as Ayya, and with the one dialogue he speaks in the trailer, he sounds different too.
Veteran actor, director and theatre star Mouli plays his manager, while director J. Mahendran appears as the judge. The movie also stars Archana of Veedu fame, Bagavathi Perumal as a director, Remya Nambeesan, Gayathrie and Parvathy Nair. The film, directed by Balaji Tharaneetharan, with music scored by Govind Vasantha, is expected to release on December 20, 2018.
