Kumari Shreya
Created by Raj Nidimoru and Krishna DK(AKA Raj and DK), Amazon Prime’s ‘Farzi’ is an Indian crime series that introduces viewers to several interesting characters who come together to create a thrilling story. The black comedy show takes us into the criminal world of fake currency as criminals and law enforcement try their best to outsmart each other.
Among the variety of intriguing characters from this story is Michael Vedanayagam, a Special Task Force(STF) officer portrayed by Vijay Sethupathi. The character’s multiple layers in different situations have made him one of the fan favorites, with people eager to know more about his origins. If you are in the same boat of curiosity, worry not because we have your back!
Is Michael Vedanayagam Based on a Real STF Officer?
No, Michael Vedanayagam is not based on an actual STF officer. Instead, the character was conceived by Raj and DK, who had Vijay Sethupathi in mind while creating its story arc. The actor’s involvement with the show’s team started during the production of the second season of ‘The Family Man.’ First aired in 2019, the series stars Manoj Bajpayee and is also a brainchild of Raj and DK. When the team was in Chennai, India, famous Tamil actor Sethupathi came to meet Bajpayee and immediately became a favorite of the creator duo.
Heavily impressed by Sethupathi’s charm and skills, Raj and DK molded the character of Michael Vedanayagam with the Tamil artist in their minds. After the script draft was in its final stages, they approached Sethupathi for the role. Though the actor was delighted by the opportunity, he did have some concerns regarding the language difference. That is not to say that he did not know Hindi when asked about the role because he had learned the language during his three years in Dubai, UAE.
However, Sethupathi was not wholly confident regarding his grasp of the language. As an actor for whom dialogue delivery is one of the most important things, he was worried that his Hindi lines might end up sounding mechanical. Given that he did have issues with Hindi in the past, his concerns regarding dialogue delivery kept him on edge. Nevertheless, Sethupathi was soon on board with the project and determined to bring the character of Michael Vedanayagam to justice.
When the filming of the black comedy series was still in progress, the actor’s Hindi improved by leaps and bounds as he would often practice his non-native tongue between scenes. Being surrounded by a cast and crew that mostly spoke the language also helped him learn some slang words, which he incorporated into the dialogues while portraying Michael. The character himself has a complex storyline in the show as he struggles to find peace in his family while trying to catch a criminal who has been evading him for a long time.
The dynamics of Michael’s character with that of Sunny(Shahid Kapoor) and Mansoor Dalal(Kay Kay Menon) can largely be attributed to the talent of all the actors involved. Sethupathi seems to have enjoyed exploring the range the law enforcement character provided him. When not performing in front of the camera, his time during the production was often spent surrounded by adoring fans, finding out some delicious food points, or practicing for the action sequences seen in the show.
Even though Michael Vedanayagam is not based on an actual person, many of his struggles resonate with the viewers. According to Sethupathi, the character represents the commoner who tries to make things right and follow the correct path. The familial and professional troubles surrounding the STF officer are not different from issues that many of our readers might face in their own lives, creating a sense of empathy for the man behind the uniform.
