I’ve learned that emotions drives every thriller, says Vijay Raghavendra

After the success of Seetharam Binoy: Case No. 18, Kannada actor Vijay Raghavendra is set to reprise his role in Second Case of Seetharam, directed by Devi Prasad Shetty. Slated for release on February 20, the film expands the Seetharam universe, promising a deeper, more emotionally charged chapter in the character’s journey. For Vijay, returning to Seetharam was anything but repetitive. “Playing Seetharam again does not feel monotonous to me. I believe certain roles are like therapy.”

‘The role is not ‘different’, but deeper’

When asked what sets the sequel apart, Vijay takes a refreshingly candid stance. “People keep asking me what’s going to be different about this film. I don’t believe in being different — and I want to be very vocal about it. For us, when we make a film, entertainment comes first. Then come the commercial aspects and the morals behind it. I won’t say the movie is ‘different’. It already has an audience base from Seetharam Binoy: Case No. 18. This chapter is deeper, more intense and emotionally driven,” he says.

In an era where thrillers often rely on shock value, Vijay says the team chose a different focus. “Over time, for people who regularly watch thrillers, stories can become predictable. We didn’t chase unpredictability for its own sake. Instead, we ensured that the script and performances keep the audience engaged throughout. Of course, this is a continuation from the same universe. But Benoy is no more — and that’s something audiences who watched the first film will understand,” he says, hinting at a key emotional shift. At the same time, he insists the film works independently. “It can easily be watched as a standalone. It speaks about Seetharam’s growth. His silence carries turbulence — there’s a storm beneath it,” he says.

A learning curve with every scene

While sequels often offer the comfort of familiarity, Vijay says this film pushed him further as an actor. “Acting in this film has been a learning process for me. I got to work with wonderful new actors and seasoned performers like Usha Bhandari and Gopal Krishna Deshpande. Usha akka and Gopal sir are among the finest actors, and working with them was a learning experience from start to finish,” he says. Several scenes, he reveals, evolved through discussions on set. “We discussed many scenes in detail. I even retook a couple of shots after hearing their perspectives, and those turned out to be some of the best moments in the film.”

Though positioned as a crime-action thriller, Vijay emphasises that emotion remains its core strength. “I’ve been strongly inspired by The Bourne series starring Matt Damon and the works of Martin Scorsese. From them, I’ve learned that the most important aspect of a crime or action thriller is emotion,” explains Vijay. This time, he was also more creatively involved behind the scenes. He says, “With this film, I had the liberty to actively contribute to the writing, screenplay and scene construction. That helped bring out Seetharam’s emotions in a layered way.”


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