After a year-long break, the Vamsam-Arulnithi is back in action with three films in his kitty. “My new film Udhayan, is slated for release soon, and then there is Mouna Guru, directed by Santhanakumar, in the making. That one is untitled in the pipeline, to go on floors soon,” says Arulnithi.
“I’m an actor, not a politician,” says the young man, when asked about his views on politics. “My dad and I are the only ones who have not actively participated in politics.” Being the grandson of Karunanidhi, he says it wasn’t an easy entry for him. “There are both pluses and minuses. I’ve been able to reach the audience faster, but at the same time, the expectations are high when it comes to acting or politics. But right now, I want to concentrate only on acting,” he says.
So how was his shooting experience for his first film? “Actually, If you remember, I had come in the opening scene of Gopura Vasalile, produced by my dad (MK Tamilarasu). I offer flowers to my grandmother’s picture. But my first full-fledged film was Vamsam, where I faced the camera for the first time,” he says.
In Vamsam, Arulnithi says he had trouble walking bare-foot. “It was a thorough village-based theme. So walking bare-foot on the ground, a thorn or two would prick and hurt my feet. Also, for a particular scene in the film, I learned to climb a tree in the scorching sun, which would burn the skin.”
Though the actor enjoyed the efforts he had taken for a film, he did not want to be stereotyped after Vamsam. “When Chaplin, the director of Udhayan approached me with the script, I immediately accepted. Because I was able to relate to the character of the protagonist — a young, short tempered man, and the story was different from Vamsam,” he explains.
The actor, who reveals very little about his next film, adds, “Udhayan has lots of surprises in store. There are two heroines in the film. It is an action flick and there are a few realistic fight scenes, thanks to Dilip Subbrayan, who did the stunts. The title literally means the rise or udhayam of love in a guy’s life — love at first sight, where he also proposes to the heroine when he meets her for the first time. But that’s all I can say about the film.”
Does he really fight 50 people at the same time? “No way, that’s practically impossible! I fought with only seven to eight stunt men,” he laughs and continues, “The fights are not meant to show the hero’s muscle power. Actually, we invite trouble by fighting with so many people
in reel.”
After learning to fight, Arulnithi is also shaking a leg to a dance sequence in this film. “Dance master Ashok Raja has choreographed Laka Laka, for which I will be performing folk moves. Most of the film was shot in Chennai, and two songs were shot in Bangkok,” he explains.
The actor, who is currently on the sets of Mouna Guru, was suddenly reminded of Asin, (the cow in Vamsam), while shooting. “When I was shooting for Mouna Guru, I was surprised when few kids at the spot asked me ‘Anna, where is Asin?’. She has become more popular than me after Vamsam. Azhagi Devi or Asin as we call her, lives at our farmhouse now.”
Arulnithi has a lot of expectations from Mouna Guru. “I am a director’s actor here. It’s a heavy and serious plot. I have also shed weight for few scenes and have been skipping breakfast. I eat only chapathis with chicken for lunch,” says the actor.
Through Mouna Guru, Arulnithi is quite confident about emerging as a quality actor. “Forty per cent of the film is ready. Hopefully it will be released in September,” he says.
His fourth film, which is yet to be titled, is in the pipeline. “The film is directed by Vetrimaran’s assistant. I play an athlete in this film. The pooja is over and the shooting will begin in September, after Mouna Guru is released. In this film, I’m required to have a well-built frame so I’m also working out everyday.”
So is he trying for a six- or eight pack? “No, I’m just keeping myself fit but there is no case of six or eight packs,” Arulnithi grins.