{ "id": "epkxr5bp5j", "slug": "sethupathi-ips", "title": "Sethupathi IPS (சேதுபதி ஜ.பி.எஸ்)", "updated": "2026-11-01", "topic_path": [ { "id": "culture", "label": "Arts and culture", "api_url": "https://www.edgepedia.org/api/v1/topics/culture" }, { "id": "culture.performance", "label": "Screen and stage", "api_url": "https://www.edgepedia.org/api/v1/topics/culture.performance" }, { "id": "culture.performance.screen", "label": "Film and television", "api_url": "https://www.edgepedia.org/api/v1/topics/culture.performance.screen" }, { "id": "culture.performance.screen.films", "label": "Films and standalone screen works", "api_url": "https://www.edgepedia.org/api/v1/topics/culture.performance.screen.films" }, { "id": "culture.performance.screen.films.films.individual-works", "label": "Individual films by title and year", "api_url": "https://www.edgepedia.org/api/v1/topics/culture.performance.screen.films.films.individual-works" }, { "id": "culture.performance.screen.films.films.individual-works.indian-cinema", "label": "Indian films (individual works)", "api_url": "https://www.edgepedia.org/api/v1/topics/culture.performance.screen.films.films.individual-works.indian-cinema" }, { "id": "culture.performance.screen.films.films.individual-works.indian-cinema.tamil-films-before-2000", "label": "Tamil films before 2000", "api_url": "https://www.edgepedia.org/api/v1/topics/culture.performance.screen.films.films.individual-works.indian-cinema.tamil-films-before-2000" }, { "id": "culture.performance.screen.films.films.individual-works.indian-cinema.tamil-films-before-2000.yr-1992-1999", "label": "Released 1992 to 1999", "api_url": "https://www.edgepedia.org/api/v1/topics/culture.performance.screen.films.films.individual-works.indian-cinema.tamil-films-before-2000.yr-1992-1999" } ], "geo": [ { "id": "geo.ind.t1946.culture.performance.screen.films.films.individual-works.indian-cinema.tamil-films-before-2000.yr-1992-1999", "label": "India · 1946 to 2000: Released 1992 to 1999", "api_url": "https://www.edgepedia.org/api/v1/geo/geo.ind.t1946.culture.performance.screen.films.films.individual-works.indian-cinema.tamil-films-before-2000.yr-1992-1999", "path": [ { "id": "geo.ind", "label": "India", "api_url": "https://www.edgepedia.org/api/v1/geo/geo.ind" }, { "id": "geo.ind.t1946", "label": "India · 1946 to 2000", "api_url": "https://www.edgepedia.org/api/v1/geo/geo.ind.t1946" }, { "id": "geo.ind.t1946.culture", "label": "Arts and culture", "api_url": "https://www.edgepedia.org/api/v1/geo/geo.ind.t1946.culture" }, { "id": "geo.ind.t1946.culture.performance", "label": "Screen and stage", "api_url": "https://www.edgepedia.org/api/v1/geo/geo.ind.t1946.culture.performance" }, { "id": "geo.ind.t1946.culture.performance.screen", "label": "Film and television", "api_url": "https://www.edgepedia.org/api/v1/geo/geo.ind.t1946.culture.performance.screen" }, { "id": "geo.ind.t1946.culture.performance.screen.films", "label": "Films and standalone screen works", "api_url": "https://www.edgepedia.org/api/v1/geo/geo.ind.t1946.culture.performance.screen.films" }, { "id": "geo.ind.t1946.culture.performance.screen.films.films.individual-works", "label": "Individual films by title and year", "api_url": "https://www.edgepedia.org/api/v1/geo/geo.ind.t1946.culture.performance.screen.films.films.individual-works" }, { "id": "geo.ind.t1946.culture.performance.screen.films.films.individual-works.indian-cinema", "label": "Indian films (individual works)", "api_url": "https://www.edgepedia.org/api/v1/geo/geo.ind.t1946.culture.performance.screen.films.films.individual-works.indian-cinema" }, { "id": "geo.ind.t1946.culture.performance.screen.films.films.individual-works.indian-cinema.tamil-films-before-2000", "label": "Tamil films before 2000", "api_url": "https://www.edgepedia.org/api/v1/geo/geo.ind.t1946.culture.performance.screen.films.films.individual-works.indian-cinema.tamil-films-before-2000" }, { "id": "geo.ind.t1946.culture.performance.screen.films.films.individual-works.indian-cinema.tamil-films-before-2000.yr-1992-1999", "label": "Released 1992 to 1999", "api_url": "https://www.edgepedia.org/api/v1/geo/geo.ind.t1946.culture.performance.screen.films.films.individual-works.indian-cinema.tamil-films-before-2000.yr-1992-1999" } ] } ], "excerpt": "Sethupathi I.P.S (சேதுபதி I.P.S) is a 1994 Tamil action thriller directed by P. Vasu, starring Vijayakanth as a DCP who foils a terrorist plot against India's Prime Minister; AVM Productions, music by Ilaiyaraaja.", "snippet": "Sethupathi I.P.S (சேதுபதி I.P.S) is a 1994 Tamil action thriller directed by P. Vasu, starring Vijayakanth as a DCP who foils a terrorist plot against India's Prime Minister; AVM Productions, music by Ilaiyaraaja.", "node": "culture.performance.screen.films.films.individual-works.indian-cinema.tamil-films-before-2000.yr-1992-1999", "markdown": "# Sethupathi IPS (சேதுபதி ஜ.பி.எஸ்)\n\n**Sethupathi I.P.S** (சேதுபதி I.P.S) is a 1994 Indian Tamil-language action thriller film directed by [P. Vasu](https://www.edgepedia.org/p-vasu), starring [Vijayakanth](https://www.edgepedia.org/vijayakanth) as a deputy commissioner of police who thwarts a terrorist plot against the [Prime Minister of India](https://www.edgepedia.org/prime-minister-of-india)[1](https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0318680/) • [2](https://letterboxd.com/film/sethupathi-ips/). It was produced by M. Saravanan for the Chennai studio AVM Productions, which also distributed it[3](https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/sethupathi_ips) • [4](https://www.majaa.mobi/sethupathi-ips-1994-tamil/).\n\n| Key fact | Detail |\n|---|---|\n| Release | 14 January 1994, India (theatrical)[2](https://letterboxd.com/film/sethupathi-ips/) |\n| Director and writer | P. Vasu[1](https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0318680/) |\n| Lead cast | Vijayakanth (DCP Sethupathy IPS), Meena (Chandramathi), M. N. Nambiar (Ramarathnam)[5](https://thebiographys.com/movies/sethupathi-ips-78973) |\n| Music | Ilaiyaraaja, with lyrics by Vaali[5](https://thebiographys.com/movies/sethupathi-ips-78973) |\n| Production | AVM Productions; producer M. Saravanan[3](https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/sethupathi_ips) |\n| Runtime | 147 minutes per Letterboxd and Rotten Tomatoes; IMDb lists 166 minutes[2](https://letterboxd.com/film/sethupathi-ips/) • [1](https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0318680/) |\n| Audience rating | 6.5/10 on IMDb from 164 votes[1](https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0318680/) |\n\n## Spoilers\n\n### Plot\n\nSethupathi is an efficient police officer from a family with a history of serving India[3](https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/sethupathi_ips). He captures the extremist Sivasubramaniam, who reveals that a terrorist strike on the Prime Minister is being planned; the disclosure puts Sethupathi's own family in danger[1](https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0318680/). After he saves the Prime Minister's life, the terrorists take over a school, presenting him with a new threat[6](https://www.flixjini.in/movie/sethupathi-ips). A [Letterboxd](https://www.edgepedia.org/letterboxd) review describes the film as violent in places, and notes that it received an 18 certificate from the [British Board of Film Classification](https://www.edgepedia.org/british-board-of-film-classification)[7](https://letterboxd.com/lukethorne94/film/sethupathi-ips/).\n\n## Cast and crew\n\nVijayakanth plays the title role of DCP Sethupathy IPS. Meena plays his wife Chandramathi, M. N. Nambiar plays Ramarathnam, Srividya plays Sathyabama, Goundamani plays Muthaiya, Delhi Ganesh plays Kesavan, Senthil plays Alagappan, and Vijayakumar plays the head of police Ramanathan[5](https://thebiographys.com/movies/sethupathi-ips-78973). Kazan Khan plays the villain Sivaprakash, also known as Shantharam[5](https://thebiographys.com/movies/sethupathi-ips-78973).\n\nBehind the camera, M. C. Sekar was the director of photography and P. Mohanraj the editor[5](https://thebiographys.com/movies/sethupathi-ips-78973). The soundtrack was composed by [Ilaiyaraaja](https://www.edgepedia.org/ilaiyaraaja), a National Award winner, with lyrics by Vaali and playback singing by [K. S. Chithra](https://www.edgepedia.org/k-s-chithra), [K. J. Yesudas](https://www.edgepedia.org/k-j-yesudas), Asha Bhosle, and Bhavatharini[5](https://thebiographys.com/movies/sethupathi-ips-78973) • [6](https://www.flixjini.in/movie/sethupathi-ips). The Moviebuff tracklist lists the songs \"Anathai Endru\", \"Mazhalai Endrum\", \"Saathu Nada\", \"Vanna Mozhi Maane\", and \"Vidiyum Neram\"[8](https://www.moviebuff.com/sethupathy-ips).\n\n## Production and release\n\nThe film was shot over 180 days, entirely in Chennai, according to the MaJaa archive[4](https://www.majaa.mobi/sethupathi-ips-1994-tamil/). It was released theatrically in India on 14 January 1994[2](https://letterboxd.com/film/sethupathi-ips/). Release dates differ between databases: Moviebuff dates the film 1 January 1993[8](https://www.moviebuff.com/sethupathy-ips), while Letterboxd, Rotten Tomatoes, and the MaJaa archive all place it in 1994[2](https://letterboxd.com/film/sethupathi-ips/) • [3](https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/sethupathi_ips) • [4](https://www.majaa.mobi/sethupathi-ips-1994-tamil/). The MaJaa archive calls it one of the biggest blockbusters of Vijayakanth's career during the 1990s[4](https://www.majaa.mobi/sethupathi-ips-1994-tamil/).\n\n## Reception and availability\n\nIMDb records a 6.5/10 rating from 164 users and one award win for the film[1](https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0318680/). A Letterboxd review praised Vijayakanth's performance, the direction, and the film's tense atmosphere, while cautioning that some scenes are difficult to watch[7](https://letterboxd.com/lukethorne94/film/sethupathi-ips/). The film can be rented or bought on Prime Video[3](https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/sethupathi_ips).\n\n## Distinction from the 2016 film Sethupathi\n\nSethupathi I.P.S (1994) shares its title element with *Sethupathi*, a 2016 Tamil police drama directed by S. U. Arun Kumar starring [Vijay Sethupathi](https://www.edgepedia.org/vijay-sethupathi) as an inspector in the Madurai region who investigates the murder of a fellow officer[9](https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/sethupathi). The two films are separate works with different casts, directors, and stories.\n\n## References\n\n1. [Sethupathi I.P.S (1994), IMDb](https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0318680/)\n2. [Sethupathi I.P.S (1994), Letterboxd](https://letterboxd.com/film/sethupathi-ips/)\n3. [Sethupathi I.P.S, Rotten Tomatoes](https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/sethupathi_ips)\n4. [Sethupathi-IPS-1994-Tamil, MaJaa.Mobi](https://www.majaa.mobi/sethupathi-ips-1994-tamil/)\n5. [Sethupathi I.P.S (1994) – Full Cast, Crew & Story, The Biographies](https://thebiographys.com/movies/sethupathi-ips-78973)\n6. [Sethupathy IPS, Flixjini](https://www.flixjini.in/movie/sethupathi-ips)\n7. [Sethupathi I.P.S review by Luke Thorne, Letterboxd](https://letterboxd.com/lukethorne94/film/sethupathi-ips/)\n8. [Sethupathy IPS, Moviebuff](https://www.moviebuff.com/sethupathy-ips)\n9. [Sethupathi (2016), Rotten Tomatoes](https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/sethupathi)\n\n---\n*Topic: Encyclopedia › Arts and culture › Screen and stage › Film and television › Films and standalone screen works › Individual films by title and year › Indian films (individual works) › Tamil films before 2000 › Released 1992 to 1999*\n\n*Initially written Oct 3, 2026 · Reviewed: Oct 3, 2026; Oct 25, 2026 · Edited: Oct 3, 2026; Oct 25, 2026; Nov 1, 2026 · Last review: Oct 25, 2026*\n\n*Copyright 2026 EdgeChat AI, a subsidiary of Biostate AI.*\n\nLicense: Edgepedia Community License 1.0, https://www.edgepedia.org/edgepedia/license\n", "same_as": [], "url": "https://www.edgepedia.org/sethupathi-ips", "markdown_url": "https://www.edgepedia.org/sethupathi-ips.md", "license": { "name": "Edgepedia Community License 1.0", "url": "https://www.edgepedia.org/edgepedia/license", "summary": "Free with credit, commercial use included. AI training is open to everyone. For other uses, organizations over USD 100M in revenue or 100M monthly users license separately.", "spdx": "LicenseRef-Edgepedia-Community-1.0" }, "credit": "\"Sethupathi IPS (சேதுபதி ஜ.பி.எஸ்)\", Edgepedia (EdgeChat), https://www.edgepedia.org/sethupathi-ips. Edgepedia Community License 1.0.", "credit_md": "\"[Sethupathi IPS (சேதுபதி ஜ.பி.எஸ்)](https://www.edgepedia.org/sethupathi-ips)\", Edgepedia (EdgeChat), [https://www.edgepedia.org/sethupathi-ips](https://www.edgepedia.org/sethupathi-ips). [Edgepedia Community License 1.0](https://www.edgepedia.org/edgepedia/license).", "credit_html": "\"Sethupathi IPS (சேதுபதி ஜ.பி.எஸ்)\", Edgepedia (EdgeChat), https://www.edgepedia.org/sethupathi-ips. Edgepedia Community License 1.0.", "speakable": "Sethupathi I.P.S is a 1994 Tamil action thriller directed by P." }