Vijay Sethupathi reveals Mysskin's ₹1,000 daily reward system on 'Train' sets
Synopsis
Key Takeaways
Actor Vijay Sethupathi has revealed that director Mysskin ran a daily reward programme on the sets of the upcoming Tamil thriller 'Train', recognising the best technician and best junior artiste each day with ₹1,000 each — a practice Sethupathi credits with transforming the working atmosphere on set. The disclosure came at the teaser launch event of the film in Chennai on 15 July.
How the Daily Reward System Worked
Sethupathi explained that Mysskin spent just ₹2,000 per day to keep the entire unit motivated. 'Mysskin announced a reward of ₹1,000 to the best technician and the best junior artiste on set each day. Just to win the award, everybody worked really well. The money part of it was only secondary. The manner in which that money was presented made all the difference,' Sethupathi said.
The presentation itself was part of the ritual. On some days, Sethupathi himself handed over the reward on a makeshift stage; on others, the film's heroine stepped in to do the honours. 'Picking the winners and acknowledging their work on stage gave the winners great happiness. Every day, the set of the film would appear like the stage put up for a festival,' he added.
Sethupathi on Mysskin's Leadership Style
Beyond the incentive scheme, Sethupathi offered a broader portrait of Mysskin as a filmmaker. 'Mysskin is someone who observes everyone around him. He treats everybody with kindness. He is someone who willingly shares — be it knowledge or kindness — with others,' Sethupathi said at the event.
The remarks underscore a management philosophy that is relatively rare on large Tamil film productions, where junior artistes and below-the-line crew often work in the background with little formal recognition.
About the Film 'Train'
Directed by Mysskin and produced by V Creations, 'Train' is a fast-paced action thriller featuring Vijay Sethupathi in the lead role. The film's 43-second teaser, released on Sunday, depicts a speeding train seized by a group of vicious individuals, with a lone man — played by Sethupathi — waging a one-man battle against them. The teaser generated significant buzz among fans and film enthusiasts.
The cast includes Nasser, Shruti Haasan, Yugi Sethu, Narain, KS Ravikumar, Sampath Raj, Kalaiyarasan, Ira Dayanand, and Preethy Karan. Cinematography is handled by Fowzia Fathima, while Mysskin has composed the music himself.
Release and What to Expect
The makers have confirmed that 'Train' is set to release in August 2025. Given Mysskin's track record with taut, edge-of-the-seat thrillers, the film is already drawing comparisons to his earlier genre work. With Sethupathi's star power and a high-concept premise, the film is shaping up as one of Tamil cinema's more anticipated mid-year releases.