Chennai: For 25-year-old Jason Sanjay, the question of identity is difficult to avoid. As the son of Tamil Nadu Chief Minister and actor Vijay, he is entering the film industry carrying a surname associated with decades of Tamil cinema stardom and, since May 2026, political significance as well. As he prepares to make his directorial debut with Sigma, Jason says he is aware that audiences will initially view his work through the lens of his family background.
Jason recently spoke about the issue in an interaction with Galatta Plus, where he was asked whether people see him as the Chief Minister’s son, a superstar’s son or simply as a young filmmaker beginning his career.
“I think about it all the time. I can’t deny that,” Jason said, acknowledging the attention surrounding his family name.
Vijay became Tamil Nadu Chief Minister in May 2026, adding a political dimension to the legacy Jason has grown up with. Recent reports have also said that Vijay will not participate in the promotional campaign for Sigma, with Jason saying he wants the focus to remain on the film rather than his father.
Jason wants Sigma to speak for itself
Jason said the timing of his directorial debut is particularly significant because of the changes taking place in his family and his father’s career.
“Family’s in-built legacy is always going to be there and will continue to prolong. There’s a political scenario taking place and the change taking place off late,” he said.
At the same time, the debutant director said he has tried to create his own creative space while making Sigma. Rather than allowing his family background to determine the film’s identity, Jason said he has concentrated on executing his own vision.
“I am doing my own film in my small bubble, making my mark in the industry and delivering my vision,” he said.
For Jason, the real test will begin once Sigma reaches theatres. He believes the initial curiosity surrounding his surname will eventually give way to the film itself.
“Basically, after five minutes of watching the movie, it’ll only be like, ‘Directed by Jason Sanjay.’ Subconsciously, they’re just going to watch it as a film. Whatever the criticism I get, positive / negative, the work will speak who I am,” he said.
Jason sees the film as the first step in establishing a career independent of his father’s identity.
“After the release of Sigma, I can concentrate on building my identity and using the success and exposure of Sigma to prolong my career,” he added.
Jason opens up about what he admires in Vijay
While Jason is keen to establish himself independently, he has also acknowledged the influence of Vijay on his creative outlook.
Asked what quality of his father he would have liked to see explored more on screen, Jason pointed to Vijay’s sense of humour and the relaxed personality he has seen away from the spotlight.
“I like my father’s sense of humour, something that I really enjoy watching him do, letting loose and being himself. I’ve seen the personal side of him at home as well, growing up. There’s an inner-child-like nature he has in him,” Jason said.
He added that he would like to see Vijay take on more roles that allow him to bring out that side of his personality.
“Over the course of his career, he stopped seeing films in such genres where he can full-fledged play that character, a very relatable character that people can relate to. If I or filmmakers get opportunities, I’d like to extract that,” he said.
Jason suggested that this preference for lighter and more entertaining moments has also influenced Sigma, which he has described as a film featuring plenty of fun and energetic sequences.
Sigma marks Jason’s directorial debut
Sigma stars Sundeep Kishan and Faria Abdullah and marks Jason Sanjay’s first film as a director. The Tamil-Telugu project has been described as a heist adventure combining action and comedy. The film is produced by Lyca Productions and is scheduled for a worldwide theatrical release on October 2.
The film’s trailer, released in September, presents Sundeep Kishan at the centre of a high-stakes story involving a Rs 500 crore racket. Director SS Rajamouli launched the trailer ahead of the release.
With Sigma, Jason Sanjay is therefore stepping into an industry where his family name is likely to remain part of the conversation. His stated aim, however, is to use the film as the starting point for a separate identity as a filmmaker.