Sobhita Dhulipala on Vettuvam stunts: 'Took it as a challenge'
Synopsis
Sobhita Dhulipala trained in ancient martial arts forms including Adi Murai, Mallakhamba, and Surul — curling blades — for Pa. Ranjith's Vettuvam, and performed every stunt herself despite stunt doubles being available. It signals one of the most physically demanding preparations of her career.
Key Takeaways
Sobhita Dhulipala trained in Adi Murai , Malla Khambh , and Surul (curling blades) for her role in Vettuvam .
The entire cast performed every stunt themselves, despite stunt doubles being available during rehearsals.
Vettuvam is directed by Pa.
Ranjith and follows a rural gangster who surrenders to police, only to face a darker reality inside prison.
Sobhita described the training as an experience that ‘blasted open’ her mind and body into new awareness.
The actress has previously appeared in Ponniyin Selvan , The Night Manager , and Hollywood film Monkey Man .
Actress Sobhita Dhulipala has revealed the intense physical preparation she undertook for her role in director Pa. Ranjith's upcoming film Vettuvam, disclosing that while stunt doubles were available during rehearsals, the entire cast insisted on performing every action sequence themselves — describing the experience as a team challenge they embraced wholeheartedly.
A Gruelling Training Regimen
The film's action-driven world demanded that its cast master multiple traditional physical and martial arts disciplines. Sobhita trained extensively in Adi Murai, Malla Khambh (Mallakhamba), and the formidable Surul — a technique involving curling blades — as part of her preparation for the role.
According to Sobhita, the experience was transformative. “The preparation that went into this role blasted open my mind and body into new kinds of awareness,” she said in a statement.
What the Actress Said
Elaborating on the physical demands of the film, Sobhita explained: “Some of the sequences that were choreographed require years of martial arts practice, so even while there were stunt doubles for rehearsals, we all made sure to do every single stunt on our own, and we were a really solid team; we took it as a challenge.”
She also extended appreciation to her co-stars, adding: “A special shout out to the boys in the film for being my friends through this wild journey together. I thrive in physical charge and this film gave me the space to experience it with such great energy.”
About Vettuvam
Vettuvam, helmed by acclaimed filmmaker Pa. Ranjith, centres on a rural gangster who functions as a modern-day Robin Hood for his community but surrenders to the police to escape his enemies — only to encounter something far more sinister within the prison system. The film's premise blends social commentary with high-octane action, consistent with Ranjith's reputation for layered, politically resonant storytelling.
Sobhita's Expanding Portfolio
Sobhita Dhulipala made her acting debut in Anurag Kashyap's Raman Raghav 2.0 in 2016 and rose to wider recognition with the critically acclaimed series Made in Heaven. She subsequently appeared in commercial successes including Goodachari and Major, Malayalam productions Moothon and Kurup, the two-part Tamil epic Ponniyin Selvan: I and Ponniyin Selvan: II, and the Hindi crime thriller series The Night Manager. Most recently, she expanded her reach to American cinema with the action thriller Monkey Man.
With Vettuvam, Sobhita appears set to push her physical performance to a new register — one that could redefine audience expectations of her range on screen.
Point of View
And placing a female lead at the centre of this level of physical discipline signals an intentional creative choice. Whether Vettuvam delivers on that promise narratively remains to be seen, but the groundwork, at least, appears unusually rigorous.
NationPress
19 Sept 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Vettuvam and who directed it?
Vettuvam is an upcoming action drama directed by Pa. Ranjith, known for films with strong social and political underpinnings. The film follows a rural gangster who turns himself in to police to escape his enemies and discovers something worse inside the prison system.
What martial arts did Sobhita Dhulipala train in for Vettuvam?
Sobhita trained in Adi Murai, Malla Khambh (Mallakhamba), and Surul — a technique involving curling blades — as part of her preparation for the film. She described the process as opening her mind and body to new kinds of awareness.
Did Sobhita Dhulipala use stunt doubles in Vettuvam?
Stunt doubles were used during rehearsals, but Sobhita has said the entire cast made sure to perform every stunt themselves during filming. She called it a team challenge they embraced together.
What are Sobhita Dhulipala's notable previous films?
Sobhita made her debut in Raman Raghav 2.0 (2016) and gained widespread recognition with the series Made in Heaven. Her filmography includes Goodachari, Major, Moothon, Kurup, Ponniyin Selvan: I and II, The Night Manager, and the Hollywood film Monkey Man.
What is the plot of Vettuvam?
The film centres on a rural gangster who acts as a Robin Hood figure for his community but surrenders to the police to avoid his enemies. Once inside the prison system, he encounters dangers far graver than those he sought to escape.
