Tamil cinema star Vijay Sethupathi is set to make history on one of television’s biggest global stages. The actor will present an award at the 54th International Emmy Awards in New York on November 23, becoming the first Indian actor ever to present at the ceremony. The news, first reported by The Hollywood Reporter India on November 5, has been picked up widely across Indian media through today, and it marks another first for Indian talent at an international awards night.
For an actor who built his career on unconventional choices, from the gritty realism of Vikram Vedha to the quiet menace of Farzi, the Emmy stage is a fitting new milestone. Sethupathi will be one of the presenters at the gala, where awards are handed out across international television categories. It is a presenting role, not a nomination, but the distinction matters: no Indian actor has stood on that stage to hand out an award before.
A first for Indian actors at the Emmys
The International Emmy Awards honour television programming produced outside the United States, and the ceremony is organised by the International Academy of Television Arts and Sciences. The 54th edition will be held in New York on November 23, 2026, with the World Television Festival running in the city over November 21 and 22.
Indian artists have been edging closer to the Emmy spotlight for years. Comedian and actor Vir Das hosted the ceremony in 2024, becoming the first Indian to host the awards, a year after winning an International Emmy for his Netflix comedy special Vir Das: Landing. Priyanka Chopra presented an award at the Primetime Emmy Awards in Los Angeles in 2016, but that is a separate American ceremony. Sethupathi’s turn as a presenter at the International Emmys is a first of its own kind.
The woman behind the push
Behind the development is producer Kavita Gupta, a board member of the International Academy of Television Arts and Sciences. Gupta is credited with championing Indian talent onto international platforms, and she played the key role in bringing Vir Das to the Emmy stage as host in 2024. According to the reports, Sethupathi’s name was suggested by Gupta, who has been working to place Indian artists in the conversations and networks that shape global entertainment.
Her push comes at a time when Indian content is travelling further than ever. Streaming has put Indian series in front of audiences that once never saw them, and awards bodies have started to notice.
India’s other names at the 2026 Emmys
Sethupathi will not be the only Indian presence in New York this year. Vir Das returns as a nominee, with his 2025 Netflix special Vir Das: Fool Volume shortlisted in the comedy category. SonyLIV’s Real Kashmir Football Club is also in the running, nominated for Best Drama Series.
- Presenter: Vijay Sethupathi, first Indian actor to present at the International Emmys
- Ceremony: 54th International Emmy Awards, New York, November 23, 2026
- Nominees from India: Vir Das, Fool Volume (comedy); Real Kashmir Football Club (Best Drama Series)
- Host: Actor Michael Urie, as announced by the Academy
A busy year for Sethupathi
The Emmy news arrives during an active phase in Sethupathi’s career. He was recently seen in Baththa, directed by Balaji Tharaneetharan, a film that explores the moral redemption of a gangster. Next on his slate is Mani Ratnam’s Inji Vellam, alongside Sai Pallavi, and Thiagarajan Kumararaja’s Pocket Novel, which also stars Raj B Shetty and Malavika Mohanan.
He has also confirmed that his 2024 action drama Maharaja is heading for a Hollywood remake, with a sequel in development as well. Director Nithilan Saminathan has already narrated the sequel’s story to him, according to reports.
From a small-town Tamil cinema outsider to the Emmy stage in New York, Sethupathi’s journey has always run on its own track. On November 23, that track takes him somewhere no Indian actor has been before.
FAQs
When are the 54th International Emmy Awards?
The ceremony will be held in New York on November 23, 2026.
What will Vijay Sethupathi do at the Emmys?
He will present an award at the ceremony, becoming the first Indian actor to present at the International Emmy Awards.
Who helped bring Sethupathi to the Emmy stage?
Producer Kavita Gupta, a board member of the International Academy of Television Arts and Sciences, played the key role. She also brought Vir Das to the ceremony as host in 2024.
Which Indian entries are nominated this year?
Vir Das’s Netflix special Vir Das: Fool Volume is nominated in the comedy category, and SonyLIV’s Real Kashmir Football Club is nominated for Best Drama Series.
Has any Indian presented at the Emmys before?
Priyanka Chopra presented at the Primetime Emmy Awards in 2016, but Sethupathi is the first Indian actor to present at the International Emmy Awards. Vir Das hosted the International Emmys in 2024.
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