Actress Katrina Kaif shared insights about her collaboration with director Sriram Raghavan and co-star Vijay Sethupathi on their upcoming film, Merry Christmas. Despite being known for her glamorous roles, Katrina described Merry Christmas as a rare character-driven film for her, as Raghavan encouraged her to delve into her character’s background through a unique “homework” assignment.
In an interview with Film Companion, Katrina explained how Raghavan, after narrating the film, asked her to create her character’s backstory. This process allowed her to gain a deeper understanding of the character and the world in which she operates. When asked if Vijay Sethupathi was also given a similar task, Katrina jokingly remarked that the “homework” was exclusively assigned to her, playfully attributing it to Vijay being the “class topper.”
Vijay Sethupathi chimed in, sharing his approach to understanding his character. He revealed that he explores the character’s past and asks questions to comprehend their motivations. Vijay mentioned cracking his character after attending Ilaiyaraaja’s masterclass in Goa, and Raghavan supported his interpretation.
Merry Christmas, set over one night, marks Sriram Raghavan’s return to directing feature films since the success of Andhadhun in 2019. While Katrina faced a box office setback with Phone Bhoot, Vijay’s latest appearance was as the antagonist in the Shah Rukh Khan-starrer Jawan.