Aari Arujunan, known by the mononym Aari, is an Indian actor who has appeared in Tamil language films. He made his lead debut in ''
Rettaisuzhi'' (2010) produced by director
Shankar Shankar may refer to:
People
* Shankar (name), including a list of people with the name
* Sankar (writer) (Mani Shankar Mukherjee), Bengali writer
* L. Shankar, Indian violinist
*S. Shankar, Indian film director commonly credited as Shankar
* San ...
, before having a breakthrough performance as Murugan in ''
Nedunchaalai
''Nedunchalai'' ( Highway) is a 2014 Tamil language thriller film written and directed by N. Krishna and produced by Aaju, C. Soundarajan and Dheeraj Kher. This film features Aari Arujunan and Sshivada in the lead roles, with Thambi Ramiah and ...
'' (2014) and starring in the supernatural thriller ''
Maya
Maya may refer to:
Civilizations
* Maya peoples, of southern Mexico and northern Central America
** Maya civilization, the historical civilization of the Maya peoples
** Maya language, the languages of the Maya peoples
* Maya (Ethiopia), a populat ...
''. In 2021, he emerged as the title winner of the Tamil reality television show ''
Bigg Boss Tamil Season 4''.
Career
Aari, before entering films, had background in theatre featuring in productions by Magic Lantern, Theatre Nisha and Inland Theatres. He appeared in a minor role in ''
Alaiyadikkuthu
''Alaiyadikkuthu'' () is a 2005 Indian Tamil-language thriller film written and directed by Kalimuthu and starring Sindhu Tolani, Naveen Dhanush and Aari Arujunan, Akhil Kumar. It was released on 10 August 2005.
Cast
*Sindhu Tolani as Brindha
*N ...
'' (2005) and was later cast in the role of Muthu in ''
Aadum Koothu
''Aadum Koothu'' is a 2006 Tamil drama romance film directed by T. V. Chandran and starring Navya Nair, Cheran, Prakash Raj, Aari Arujunan, Seeman, and Manorama. The film premiered at the 37th International Film Festival of India in 2006 an ...
'' (2006).
Aari made his lead debut in ''
Rettaisuzhi'', produced by director
Shankar Shankar may refer to:
People
* Shankar (name), including a list of people with the name
* Sankar (writer) (Mani Shankar Mukherjee), Bengali writer
* L. Shankar, Indian violinist
*S. Shankar, Indian film director commonly credited as Shankar
* San ...
. He appeared as Murthy, an army man, returning to his village.
In October 2011 it was announced that Aari would feature in ''
Maalai Pozhudhin Mayakathilaey
''Maalai Pozhudhin Mayakathilaey'' () is a 2012 Indian Tamil-language romance film written and directed by Narayan Nagendra Rao. It stars Aari Arujunan and Shubha Phutela, with Subbu Panchu, R. S. Shivaji, and Balaji Venugopal in other pivot ...
'' and would star alongside winner of Miss South India 2010,
Shubha Phutela
Shubha Phutela (5 May 1991 – 22 October 2012) was an Indian model and actress. She was crowned Hair-o-max Miss South India 2010. She starred in the Tamil film ''Maalai Pozhudhin Mayakathilaey'' that was released in 2012.
Early life and fami ...
. 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.
Aari portrayed the lead role in
N. Krishna
Krishnan K. T. Nagarajan, commonly known as Krishna, N. Krishna, and Obeli N. Krishna, is an Indian film director and screenwriter, from the Tamil film industry. He made his directorial debut with the 2006 romantic drama, ''Sillunu Oru Kaadhal'' ...
's third venture, a romantic road trip film titled ''
Nedunchaalai
''Nedunchalai'' ( Highway) is a 2014 Tamil language thriller film written and directed by N. Krishna and produced by Aaju, C. Soundarajan and Dheeraj Kher. This film features Aari Arujunan and Sshivada in the lead roles, with Thambi Ramiah and ...
'' (2014), a period film set in the 1980, which took two years to complete. 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". The film opened to positive reviews. His following venture, the comedy ''
Kadai Enn 6'', remains unreleased. Another venture ''
Dharani
Dharanis (IAST: ), also known as ''Parittas'', are Buddhist chants, mnemonic codes, incantations, or recitations, usually the mantras consisting of Sanskrit or Pali phrases. Believed to be protective and with powers to generate merit for the Bud ...
'' 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
Diana Mariam Kurian, known professionally as
Nayanthara, is an Indian actress and film producer who is known for her work in Tamil, Telugu and Malayalam films. She was in the ''Forbes India'' "Celebrity 100" 2018 list, with her total annual ...
. 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
Subhashree Ganguly (born 3 November 1990) is an Indian actress, model and the winner of Anandalok Nayikar Khonje 2006. She is the highest paid actress of Bengali cinema.
She made her acting debut in 2008 with the Odia comedy drama film '' Mat ...
, which was dropped halfway. In 2016, he was seen in
''Unnodu'' ''Ka'', a commercial entertainer opposite to
Maya
Maya may refer to:
Civilizations
* Maya peoples, of southern Mexico and northern Central America
** Maya civilization, the historical civilization of the Maya peoples
** Maya language, the languages of the Maya peoples
* Maya (Ethiopia), a populat ...
, which performed average in the box office. Later, he was cast in horror comedy
''Nagesh'' ''Thirayarangam'' in lead role opposite
Ashna Zaveri
Ashna Zaveri is an Indian actress and model who acts in Tamil films.
Career
She made her film debut with ''Vallavanukku Pullum Aayudham'' (2014), which was a success. Regarding her performance, a critic stated that "Ashna Zaveri does not hav ...
. His next ventures to be released includ
''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''. He has also been roped in to play a significant role in ''
Nenjuku Needhi
''Nenjuku Needhi'' () is a 2022 Indian Tamil-language political drama film directed by Arunraja Kamaraj and produced by Boney Kapoor. A remake of the 2019 Hindi film '' Article 15'', it stars Udhayanidhi Stalin, Aari Arujunan, Tanya Ravichandra ...
'', alongside
Udhayanidhi Stalin
Udhayanidhi Stalin (born 27 November 1977) is an Indian film producer, actor, and politician who prominently works in the Tamil cinema. He is the Minister for Youth Welfare and Sports Development of Tamil Nadu in the ministry led by his father, ...
directed by
Arunraja Kamaraj
Arunraja Kamaraj is a singer, lyricist, actor, director in Tamil-language films. He is known for his works as lyricist in films such as '' Jigarthanda'', '' Theri'', ''Pencil'' and ''Kabali''. He also debuted as an actor in '' Raja Rani'' and a ...
, the official remake of critically acclaimed Hindi film
Article 15.
In January 2021, he emerged as the title winner in the reality show
Bigg Boss Tamil 4.
After Big boss Tamil he acted a movie name called Nenjukukku Needhi (Article 15 Tamil Version″).
Personal life
Aari was born in
Palani, Tamil Nadu
Palani ( or ''Palni'' as in British records, is a town and a taluk headquarters in Dindigul district of the western part of Tamil Nadu state in India. It is located about south-east of Coimbatore and north-west of Madurai, from Kodaikan ...
.He married Nathiya (Sri Lankan) - UK citizen and HR Manager
Chennai
Chennai (, ), formerly known as Madras ( the official name until 1996), is the capital city of Tamil Nadu, the southernmost Indian state. The largest city of the state in area and population, Chennai is located on the Coromandel Coast of th ...
on 18 November 2015 and the reception was held on 19 November 2015 in
Taj Connemara
Taj Connemara, Chennai is a five-star hotel in Chennai, India. It is a heritage hotel in Chennai. Classified under the Taj Group's business hotels section, the 127-year-old hotel is considered the oldest hotel in the city.
History
The proper ...
.The couple has one child named Riya.
He is also a body sculptor and fitness coach, who has mentored actors
Cheran,
Ameer,
Sasikumar,
Parthiban
R. Parthiban (born 14 October 1958) is an Indian actor and filmmaker who works mainly in Tamil cinema. He has directed 15 films, produced 13 films and acted in more than 70 films. He started his career as assistant director for K. Bhagyaraj in ...
,
Jiiva
Amar Choudary (born 4 January 1984), known professionally as Jiiva, is an Indian actor and film producer who works mainly in Tamil cinema and a few Hindi films. He is the youngest son of film producer R. B. Choudary. He began his career as a ch ...
,
Aadhi Pinisetty
Aadhi Pinisetty is an Indian actor who appears in Tamil language, Tamil and Telugu language, Telugu films. He is the recipient of a Nandi Awards, Nandi Award and a SIIMA Award, in addition to two nominations for Filmfare Awards South.
Born to ...
, etc.
As a social activist, he has supported Tamil culture, language and agriculture. In 2018, he started a '' (Tamil Signature) movement where he wanted all the Tamil people to sign documents in Tamil script. He holds the ''
Guinness Book of World Records
''Guinness World Records'', known from its inception in 1955 until 1999 as ''The Guinness Book of Records'' and in previous United States editions as ''The Guinness Book of World Records'', is a reference book published annually, listing world ...
'' 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
Sathyabama Institute of Science and Technology (SIST), formerly Sathyabama University, is a deemed to be university, situated at Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India. It was founded in 1987 as Sathyabama Engineering College by the late Jeppiaar and re ...
. In 2017 he actively participated in Jallikattu protests held in Marina beach, Chennai.
Filmography
Film
Television
Awards
References
{{DEFAULTSORT:Aari
21st-century Indian male actors
Living people
Male actors in Tamil cinema
1986 births
People from Dindigul district
Bigg Boss (Tamil TV series) contestants