Movies like Mirugam and Eeram established Aadhi as a potential performer, who could transform himself to suit different genres. While his other two films — Ayyanar and Aadu Puli — didn’t garner much attention, here is one film which promises to put him under the limelight.
Aravaan, which is based on a small portion of Su Venkatesan’s novel Kaaval Kottam, seeks to depict the lifestyle of Tamilians in the 18th century. The film’s plot, it seems, focusses on a community involved in burglaries.
Vasantabalan is known to be a taskmaster and when he himself concedes that nobody else would have dared attempt Aadhi’s character in the film, then it’s evident that Aadhi’s scored.
“The time I was given to prepare for the role was limited. I had to have an eight-pack in just three months,” says Aadhi.
Not just that, he had to remain barechested and be without footwear through the movie. The actor says he had watched Vasantha Balan’s Veyil and Angadi Theru and was waiting for an opportunity to join hands with him.
“You can easily rely on him. He is such a dedicated person and has done a lot of research for Aravaan. The way he worked to bring the script to life on screen is amazing,” he says.
Aadhi is also impressed with actor Pasupathi, who plays an equally important role in the movie. “He is a very good performer. Though he is a senior artiste, he was so friendly on the sets,” he says. The actor is all praise for the entire crew of Aravaan, including his co-star, Peranmai-fame Dhansikaa, and Anjali and Bharath, who have done cameo roles.
As Aravaan is based on an incident that is described in only 10 pages of Kaaval Kottam, are there any plans to make a sequel? “No. We didn’t discuss about the sequel. Maybe, after the movie releases, we may think about the possibility of making it,” he says. But is he ready for another challenge of the same nature? “Yes, of course. I would love to work in the Aravaan sequel,” he says.