Aari Arujunan is an Indian actor who has appeared in Tamil language films. He made his lead debut in Rettaisuzhi (2010) produced by director Shankar, before having a breakthrough performance as Murugan in Nedunchaalai (2014) and starring in the supernatural thriller Maya. In 2021, he emerged as the title winner of the Tamil reality television show Bigg Boss Tamil Season 4.
Aari Arujunan | |
|---|---|
 Aari Arujunan at an NGO event | |
| Born | |
| Nationality | Indian |
| Occupation | Actor |
| Years active | 2004–present |
| Spouse |
Nathiya (m. 2015) |
| Children | 2 |
Career
editAari, before entering films, had background in theatre featuring in productions by Magic Lantern, Theatre Nisha and Inland Theatres.[1][2] He appeared in a minor role in Alaiyadikkuthu (2005) and was later cast in the role of Muthu in Aadum Koothu (2006).[3] Aari made his lead debut in Rettaisuzhi, produced by director Shankar. He appeared as Murthy, an army man, returning to his village.He is the only actor to act with two legendary directors Balachandar and Bharathiraja in the same film in Rettaisuzhi movie.
In October 2011 it was announced that Aari would feature in Maalai Pozhudhin Mayakathilaey and would star alongside winner of Miss South India 2010, Shubha Phutela. Aari mentioned that it was "really challenging to play an ordinary guy", as he had to consciously keep his emotions to a minimum at all times.[4]
Aari portrayed the lead role in N. Krishna's third venture, a romantic road trip film titled Nedunchaalai (2014), a period film set in the 1980, which took two years to complete.[5] Post-release, a critic noted "Aari immerses himself in the central character of Murugan with such conviction and controlled flair that it becomes impossible to separate the actor from the part".[6] The film opened to positive reviews.[7] His following venture, the comedy Kadai Enn 6, remains unreleased.[8] Another venture Dharani directed by newcomer Guhan Sambandham, released in 2015, which did not perform well. In the same year he played a pivotal role in Maya, supernatural thriller alongside Nayanthara. Maya was a huge success at the box office and was critically acclaimed. He was again cast in a lead role in N.Krishna's next venture, Maane Thene Paeye, a romantic comedy opposite Subhashree Ganguly, which was dropped halfway. In 2016, he was seen in Unnodu Ka, a commercial entertainer opposite to Maya, which performed average in the box office. Later, he was cast in horror comedy Nagesh Thirayarangam in lead role opposite Ashna Zaveri. His next ventures to be released include Ellam Mele Irukkuruvan Pathuppan, a sci fi movie with alien backdrop, then Aleka, a romantic thriller, Bagavan mythological drama and an action thriller titled TN-43.[9] He has also been roped in to play a significant role in Nenjuku Needhi, alongside Udhayanidhi Stalin directed by Arunraja Kamaraj, the official remake of critically acclaimed Hindi film Article 15.[10]
In January 2021, he emerged as the title winner in the reality show Bigg Boss Tamil 4.[11]
After Big boss Tamil he acted a movie name called Nenjukukku Needhi (Article 15 Tamil Version″).[12][13]
Personal life
editAari was born in Palani, Tamil Nadu.He married Nathiya (Sri Lankan) - UK citizen and HR Manager Chennai on 18 November 2015 and the reception was held on 19 November 2015 in Taj Connemara.The couple has one child named Riya.In 2023, he became a father of a boy Ranatheeran.
He is also a body sculptor and fitness coach, who has mentored actors Cheran, Ameer, Sasikumar, Parthiban, Jiiva, Aadhi Pinisetty, etc.
As a social activist, he has supported Tamil culture, language and agriculture. In 2018, he started a 'தமிழ் கையொப்பம்' (Tamil Signature) movement where he wanted all the Tamil people to sign documents in Tamil script. He holds the Guinness Book of World Records for most signatures on a whiteboard. He also holds the Guinness World Record for planting approximately 30,000 seedlings with 20,000 participants, in a 15-acre land, in collaboration with Sathyabama University. In 2017 he actively participated in Jallikattu protests held in Marina beach, Chennai. Aari Arjunan also broke record by garnering over 2.1 crore votes and emerging as the winner of Bigg Boss Tamil Season 4, the highest number of votes any winner has received in the series.[citation needed]
Filmography
editFilm
edit| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2005 | Alaiyadikkuthu | Brindha's husband | Credited as Akhil Kumar |
| 2008 | Aadum Koothu | Muthu | |
| 2010 | Rettaisuzhi | Murthy | |
| 2012 | Maalai Pozhudhin Mayakathilaey | Ajay | |
| 2014 | Nedunchaalai | Murugan | |
| 2015 | Dharani | Shekar | |
| Maya | Vasanth / Arjun | ||
| 2016 | Unnodu Ka | Siva | |
| 2017 | Mupparimanam | Himself | Special appearance in a Song "Let's Go Party" |
| 2018 | Nagesh Thiraiyarangam | Nagesh | |
| 2022 | Nenjuku Needhi | Kumaran | |
| 2023 | Ellaam Mela Irukuravan Paathuppan | Ragu | Direct Television premier on Colors Tamil |
| Aleka † | Joseph Vijay | delayed[14] | |
| Bagavan † | TBA | delayed[15] | |
| TN 43 † | TBA | Filming | |
| Man | Filming |
Television
edit| Year | Title | Role | Channel | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2017 | Manadhaal Inaivom Maatrathai Varaverppom - Zee Tamil Brand Film | Aari As Himself | Zee Tamil | Co-starring Jyothika, directed By Sudha Kongara Brand Shorts For Zee Tamil[16][17] |
| 2019 | Vanakkam Tamizha | Guest | Sun TV | |
| 2020–2021 | Bigg Boss Tamil Season 4 | Contestant | STAR Vijay | Winner |
| 2021 | Bigg Boss Season 4 Kondattam | Guest | Celebration of Bigg Boss Season 4 | |
| Bharathi Kannamma & Raja Rani Season 2 Maha Sangamam | Himself | Special Appearance | ||
| BB Jodigal | Guest | Grand Launch | ||
| 2022 | Namma Vettu Kalyanam | STAR Vijay Music | Couple Show;
Along With Nathiya | |
| 2024 | Cheran’s Journey | S. Pranav | SonyLIV | streaming television series |
| 2024–present | Vaa Thamizha Vaa season 3 | Host | Kalaignar TV | Reality debate show[18] |
Awards
edit| Year | Cateogary | Awards | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 | Bigg Boss Tamil 4 | Title Winner | He became the Title winner of the Reality Show [19] |
| 2018 | FETNA | Guinness World Record | His Signature Campaign along with FETNA in America |
| 2017 | Transplanting Seedlings | Guinness World Record | Transplanting Seedlings with 3000 students from Sathyabhama University |
| 2017 | Youth Icon Award | Trikona Awards | For exemplary work for the betterment of society and motivating Youth |
| 2016 | Youth Icon Award | Take Care India | Association with DR.APJ - Abdul Kalam International Foundation |
| 2015 | Best Actor | V4 Award | Film Nedunchaalai |
| 2014 | Best Actor | Films Fans Association 62nd Annual Award | Film - Nedunchaalai |
References
edit- ^ "News Archives". The Hindu. 2 January 2011. Archived from the original on 26 April 2011.
- ^ "Aari's acting dreams". The New Indian Express. Archived from the original on 26 April 2015.
- ^ "Taking to the highway". The Hindu. 20 April 2014.
- ^ "Playing a simple person the toughest job: Aari". The Times of India. 15 January 2017.
- ^ "Aari Interview".
- ^ "Review : Nedunchalai". Sify. Archived from the original on 28 March 2014.
- ^ Baradwaj Rangan (29 March 2014). "Nedunchalai: Road rage". The Hindu.
- ^ "Variety-Seeker Aari Gets Laughter Break". The New Indian Express. Archived from the original on 15 October 2014.
- ^ "Aari Arujunan's next is an action-thriller titled 'TN-43'". The Times of India. 12 February 2022. Retrieved 23 February 2022.
- ^ "Aari Arjunan in Udhayanidhi's 'Article 15' remake". The Times of India. 28 April 2021. Archived from the original on 28 April 2021.
- ^ admin. "Everything about Aari Arjuna Big Boss 4 - CelebWoods.com". Retrieved 2 March 2021.
- ^ "Aari Arujunan Starts Dubbing for Nenjukku Needhi". 30 December 2021.
- ^ "Nenjuku Needhi Movie: Showtimes, Review, Trailer, Posters, News & Videos | eTimes". The Times of India.
- ^ Aiyappan, Ashameera (17 January 2019). "Aari's next titled Aleka". The New Indian Express.
The crew is currently shooting in a single schedule in Chennai, with a couple of songs being planned abroad.
- ^ "The shoot of Aari Arjunan's Bagavan has been wrapped". Archived from the original on 29 October 2021.
- ^ Jyotika is Zee Tamil brand ambassador. Times of India (16 October 2017). Retrieved on 14 August 2018.
- ^ Actor Jyothika to endorse Zee Tamil, Marketing & Advertising News, ET BrandEquity. Brandequity.economictimes.indiatimes.com (16 October 2017). Retrieved on 14 August 2018.
- ^ "'Vaa Thamizha Vaa season 3' to premiere soon; Aari Arjunan to be seen as the host". The Times of India. 7 April 2024. ISSN 0971-8257. Retrieved 11 November 2024.
- ^ "From Aari Arjuna getting movie offers to Velmurugan being honored by Tamil Nadu government: Here's how Bigg Boss Tamil 4 contestants are riding on their popularity". The Times of India. 24 January 2021. Retrieved 20 January 2022.