Zarina Wahab plays Vijay Sethupathi's mother in 'Slumdog 33 Temple Road'
Synopsis
The makers of Puri Jagannadh's 'Slumdog 33 Temple Road' have unveiled a gut-punch glimpse of Zarina Wahab as Vijay Sethupathi's mother Zubeida — a woman who once stood at a railway station wanting to die, only to end up begging from hunger. It's an unexpectedly raw emotional reveal for an action entertainer, and a signal that this Pan India film is aiming for more than spectacle.
Key Takeaways
Zarina Wahab plays Vijay Sethupathi 's mother, character named Zubeida , in 'Slumdog 33 Temple Road' .
A new glimpse video released on Monday depicts Zubeida's harrowing survival story at a railway station.
Tabu plays Gowri Hegde , a Deputy Commissioner of Income Tax , in a previously released character introduction.
Shooting has been completed; post-production is reportedly progressing rapidly across all language versions.
The film is directed by Puri Jagannadh , produced under Puri Connects , and features music by Harshavardhan Rameshwar .
The Pan India release spans Telugu, Tamil, Kannada, Malayalam, and Hindi .
The makers of director Puri Jagannadh's upcoming Pan India action entertainer 'Slumdog 33 Temple Road' have released a new glimpse video revealing that veteran actress Zarina Wahab portrays the mother of lead actor Vijay Sethupathi in the film. The character, named Zubeida, was first disclosed by the production team in an earlier announcement, and the latest video offers a deeper emotional look into her story.
Zubeida's Glimpse: A Raw Portrait of Survival
Released on Monday, the glimpse video presents a deeply moving sequence centred on Zarina Wahab's character Zubeida. The scene depicts a harrowing moment from her life — she recalls standing at a railway station on the verge of ending her life, only to be pulled back by the primal force of hunger, which leads her to beg for survival.
The sequence offers an unflinching look at the harsh realities of life on the margins, weaving together themes of dignity, despair, and a mother's emotional resilience. The raw and humane tone of the clip signals that 'Slumdog 33 Temple Road' aims to balance its action-entertainer format with genuine emotional depth.
Tabu's Character: The Fearless Tax Officer
Prior to this reveal, the makers had introduced actress Tabu's character in the film — Gowri Hegde, a Deputy Commissioner of Income Tax. Her glimpse video described her as 'One fearless woman' and a 'Powerful Officer', showing her slapping and threatening individuals with authority.
In one standout moment from that clip, Tabu's character tells Vijay Sethupathi, 'In our style, we first shoot and then talk.' The video closes with her designation displayed on screen, followed by a visual of her striking a man with a lathi — a sharp contrast to the emotional register of the Zubeida glimpse.
Cast, Crew, and Production Status
Shooting for the film has been completed, according to sources close to the unit, with post-production activities reportedly progressing rapidly across all language versions. The film is produced by Puri Jagannadh under his banner Puri Connects and is presented by Charmi Kaur in collaboration with JB Motion Pictures and JB Narayan Rao Kondrolla.
Samyuktha plays the female lead opposite Vijay Sethupathi, while Kannada star Duniya Vijay and Tabu essay pivotal roles expected to add significant weight to the narrative. The ensemble also includes Brahmaji and VTV Ganesh in key supporting parts. Sources indicate that Samyuktha's character will carry considerable emotional depth, and the actress is reportedly enthusiastic about the role.
Music for the film is being composed by National Award-winning music director Harshavardhan Rameshwar, known for his acclaimed work on Arjun Reddy and Animal. An earlier title poster shared by the director showed Vijay Sethupathi in a stylish avatar — sunglasses on, a blood-stained machete in hand, surrounded by cartons of currency notes — signalling the film's high-octane tone.
Pan India Release Plans
The film has generated considerable buzz since the unit began shooting in July last year. 'Slumdog 33 Temple Road' is set for a Pan India release across Telugu, Tamil, Kannada, Malayalam, and Hindi languages, positioning it as one of the more ambitious multilingual releases on the horizon.
Point of View
And one that could broaden the film's appeal well beyond its action-entertainer base. The strategic drip of character reveals — first Tabu's fearless tax officer, now Zarina Wahab's anguished mother — suggests a confident marketing play that is building intrigue rather than simply selling spectacle. Whether the film itself delivers on that emotional promise remains to be seen.
NationPress
29 Sept 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Who does Zarina Wahab play in 'Slumdog 33 Temple Road'?
Zarina Wahab plays Vijay Sethupathi's mother, a character named Zubeida, in 'Slumdog 33 Temple Road'. A glimpse video released on Monday depicts her character's emotionally charged survival story.
What is the Zubeida glimpse video about?
The glimpse video portrays a deeply moving sequence in which Zubeida recalls standing at a railway station on the verge of ending her life, only to be driven by hunger to beg for survival. It highlights themes of dignity, despair, and a mother's resilience.
Who does Tabu play in the film?
Tabu plays Gowri Hegde, a Deputy Commissioner of Income Tax, described in her character glimpse as 'One fearless woman' and a 'Powerful Officer'. Her introduction showed her confronting and threatening people with authority.
What is the current production status of 'Slumdog 33 Temple Road'?
Shooting for the film has been completed, according to sources close to the unit. Post-production is reportedly progressing rapidly across all language versions ahead of its Pan India release.
In which languages will 'Slumdog 33 Temple Road' release?
'Slumdog 33 Temple Road' is set for a Pan India release in Telugu, Tamil, Kannada, Malayalam, and Hindi. The film is directed by Puri Jagannadh and produced under his banner Puri Connects.
