Now, there's a lot of confusion about what the audience wants: Aari
Actor Aari
Arujunan says he finds a deep sense of fulfillment in balancing the demands of film shoots and hosting a TV show. In a conversation with us,
Aari
opens up about his upcoming action-thriller 4th Floor , how he manages his dual roles in cinema and television, the comparisons between his show,
Vaa Thamizha Vaa
, and Neeya Naana , and on the recent success of low budget films over high-budget productions...
'TODAY, MARKETING A FILM WELL IS JUST AS IMPORTANT AS MAKING A GOOD FILM'
Reflecting on the current trends in the film industry, Aari says he's inspired by the growing success of low-budget films at the box office. 'Films like Lubber Pandhu and Love Today are great examples of low-budget movies that have done really well at the box office. They may not be ₹100 crore projects, but they've made a big impact,' he says and adds, 'The film industry is going through a phase of change. There's a lot of confusion about what the audience really wants, which makes it hard for producers and actors to choose the right scripts. Promotion has also become a big challenge. Today, marketing a film well is just as important as making a good film. Even getting media attention is harder now, as many promotions are paid.
'MY NEXT IS AN ACTIONTHRILLER WITH EMOTIONAL & PSYCHOLOGICAL ELEMENTS'
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Aari is currently playing the lead in 4th Floor , directed by LR Sundarapandi, an assistant of Hari. Speaking about the project, he says, ' 4th Floor revolves around the blurred line between dreams and reality. The protagonist faces a psychological dilemma — he's unsure if the problems he faces are the result of a dream or just illusions. After moving to the fourth floor, a series of strange dreams and issues unfold, forming the crux of the story. It is an action-thriller with emotional and psychological elements.'
'HOSTING A TALK SHOW GIVES ME A SENSE OF FULFILLMENT'
Aari admits that he was initially hesitant about managing both TV and cinema. 'I have two shoot schedules per month for the show, and I plan my film work accordingly around that,' he shares. 'Each episode gives me the opportunity to interact with around 50 individuals, where I can engage with people from diverse backgrounds. That gives me a deep sense of fulfillment. Witnessing the positive impact of the show on people's lives brings me joy,' he adds.
'I HAVE IMMENSE RESPECT FOR GOBINATH SIR'
Addressing the comparisons between the show and Neeya Naana , Aari says, ' Neeya Naana 's contribution to fostering diverse discussions is truly commendable. I have immense respect for Gobinath sir. Hosting a show consistently for over 15 years is no small feat. I cannot replicate what he does. The real question I ask myself is: what kind of identity am I building for myself? This isn't about competition — it's about crafting a meaningful show that resonates with people and offers thoughtful solutions.'
The actor feels that talk shows serve as important platforms for public dialogue. He elaborates, 'In a densely populated state like ours, such avenues are essential for sharing varied perspectives. Even if there are thematic similarities between the shows, there is always something meaningful to take away from each. Over the years, people have identified me through many roles — initially as an artiste, then as Bigg Boss Aari, and now, as Vaa Thamizha Vaa Aari. These titles were bestowed upon me by the audience, so I wear them with pride.'
On his upcoming projects...
Talking about his upcoming releases, Aari shares, 'My next film is with Hansika. The shooting is complete, and post-production is currently in progress. I'm also working on Goli Soda 3 with Bharath and Paal Dabba . It's a multi-starrer featuring Telugu actor Suniel along with several other Telugu stars.' Addressing the delay in some of his projects, he explains, ' Bagavan is a mythological period film. We've completed a few portions, but we need more time to work on the CG. As for Aleka , the film is complete, and ready for release.'
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