With back-to-back shooting schedules, Arya is one of the busiest actors in Kollywood. For the last few months, the actor-producer has been shuttling between locales for Purampokku. Shot extensively in Himachal Pradesh, Rajasthan and Chennai, Purampokku also stars Vijay Sethupathi and Shaam in pivotal roles.
“Purampokku is a typical S P Jananathan movie; it is a no-nonsense flick and has a deep social message, like most of his other films so far. The film is certainly not one of those formula films and a lot of effort has gone into it,” he says.
The actor, who is getting to work in an eclectic mix of genres—from action to drama —has teamed up again with filmmaker Vishnuvardhan in Yatchan, while Meagamann (captain of the ship) by Magizh Thirumeni is an action-drama. “It is not just the genres, but also the novelty of the plots that has got me excited,” he adds.
It seems like a season of multistarrers for Arya, who will be sharing screen space with actor Kreshna in Yatchan, after a spate of similar movies last year like Raja Rani and Arrambam.
Over the last 10 years, Arya has dabbled in a number of genres like comedy-drama, rom-coms, period drama and most recently a fantasy flick called Irandam Ulagam. Playing some memorable roles like Rudran, an aghori, in the critically acclaimed Naan Kadavul helmed by Bala, the roguish and brutal Kutty in Arinthum Ariyamalum by Vishnuvardhan, or Parithe in Madrasapattinam by AL Vijay, the actor has been successfully pulling off a variety of characters with aplomb.
But Arya insists that it is not a deliberate attempt to showcase versatility, but rather a quest to pick roles of substance.
“The script and substance matter the most to me. I continue to explore as an actor. The latest projects too are a reflection of my constant attempts to do good movies. People often ask me if I make an effort to pick only different roles. But I would say I only make an effort to do good films,” he adds.
Continuing to be bold in his choice of films, even after a box office debacle like Irandam Ulagam, Arya says it hasn’t deterred him from venturing into less explored territories. “If a script is engrossing, why not accept it? Whether the film is a hit or flop hardly matters to me. I sign up without any inhibitions about the result,” he says.
The actor has on and off began to don yet another interesting role—of a producer. Producing flicks under the banner The Show People, the actor strives to promote upcoming talent by offering them an avenue and funding small budget films.
Arya’s next production comes almost four years after his first Boss Engira Bhaskaran. Amarakaaviyam will have his brother Sathya playing the lead opposite Mia George.
So how does his approach to projects differ as he alternates between the two roles? “As a producer, I care equally for the content and result. I don’t obsess with the numbers, but then it can’t be a flop either. In the end, it is about striking a balance between the two,” he says.
He adds being a producer makes him think more about the target audience. “I would never say a film is a failure. At times, the budget fails or the makers do not find the right target audience. If both the criteria are decided after careful thoughts, a movie can never flop,” he says.
Being part of the southern film industry that has witnessed a sea change in the last couple of years, with a focus on off-beat films, Arya reckons that exciting times lie ahead for actors like him. “After watching some amazing work in recent times, I am hopeful that exploring new subjects will continue to keep the focus on meaningful projects. It is equally important to make cinema as realistic as possible. With a number of films like Bangalore Days and Drishyam being made and becoming hits, I am assured that our cinema is moving in the right direction,” he adds.