Chennai: Trouble seems to have been mounted for South Indian actor Vijay Sethupathi as he is being faced with additional challenges after the Supreme Court dismissed his appeal in an ongoing case from 2021. 

The case involves a dispute between Sethupathi and fellow actor Maha Gandhi, stemming from an incident at Bengaluru airport in 2021.

Vijay Sethupathi, known for his roles in acclaimed films like "Jawan," "Super Deluxe," and the OTT series "Farzi," is currently engaged in promoting his upcoming movie "Merry Christmas," co-starring Katrina Kaif. The case in question originated when, in 2021, actor Maha Gandhi attempted to engage in conversation with Sethupathi at Bengaluru airport. Allegedly, Sethupathi responded by pushing Gandhi away and behaved rudely. Subsequently, Gandhi filed a criminal defamation lawsuit against Sethupathi in the district court in Saidapet, Chennai.

Despite the court summoning Sethupathi to appear for further proceedings, the actor's counsel appealed the decision in the Madras High Court. The High Court ruled that since the incident occurred in Bengaluru, the case should not be heard in Chennai. However, the Madras High Court ordered a thorough investigation into the matter, instructing the crime branch police to complete the inquiry within three months and submit a detailed report.

Unsuccessful in their attempts to reach a mutual agreement during discussions, both parties returned to court. In the recent hearing at the Supreme Court, the court advised Sethupathi to maturely address the issue, suggesting negotiations rather than legal proceedings.

Despite these efforts, the case returned to the Supreme Court, following which the apex court declared that Sethupathi has no choice but to face trial in the district court in Chennai. With the Supreme Court dismissing the case, the actor is now likely to undergo a criminal defamation trial in the lower court to address the charges.