The press meet of ‘Arulvaan’, produced by S.G. Saravanan under the banner of 90 Pictures Productions Private Limited and directed by Ganesh Vinayakan, was held in Chennai.
The film features Arulnithi, Aarav, Ramya Pandian, Kaali Venkat, VTV Ganesh, John Vijay, Baby Krithika, ‘Paruthiveeran’ Saravanan, Harish Uthaman and others in important roles. The cinematography has been handled by M. Sukumar, music is composed by G.V. Prakash Kumar, art direction is by Lalgudi Ilaiyaraja, and editing is by Lawrence Kishore.
Based on the importance of education, the film is produced by S.G. Saravanan and presented worldwide by Shakthi Film Factory’s Shakthivelan. The film is scheduled for a worldwide theatrical release on July 17.
A Challenging Filming Experience
Speaking at the event, actor Kaali Venkat shared that the shooting took place in difficult mountainous locations where even humans and animals found it challenging to move around.
He recalled that the team had to walk several kilometres every day to reach the shooting spots, and the actors carried their own tents and stayed in those remote locations.
“The challenges we faced were worth it because of the strength of the story. This film, which talks about the importance of education, will definitely be discussed after its release,” he said.
“A Film That Touched My Heart” – Shakthivelan
Shakthivelan of Shakthi Film Factory said that ‘Arulvaan’ sensitively portrays the lives of government school students and the struggles faced by underprivileged communities.
“Films that speak about the lives of marginalised people and social issues are rare today. I feel proud to be associated with the release of this film. Movies that convey meaningful messages should continue to be made,” he said.
Baby Krithika’s Memorable Debut
Baby Krithika expressed her happiness about making her debut alongside leading actors.
“I do not come from a film background. I thank the director and producer for giving me this opportunity. Working with such a talented team in my first film is a dream come true. The song ‘Allippoove’, composed by G.V. Prakash Kumar, is my favourite. More than a hundred artists have worked extremely hard to create this film, and I request audiences to support it,” she said.
“The Core Idea of the Film Attracted Me” – Ramya Pandian
Actress Ramya Pandian revealed that she had initially decided to take a break from village-based stories, but the central theme of ‘Arulvaan’ changed her mind.
“When I heard that there are still places where people do not have proper opportunities or facilities for education, I felt that I had to be a part of this film. Shooting in a remote location without road facilities, communication networks, or basic comforts was a completely new experience. However, spending time with the people there made it memorable,” she said.
She also praised Aarav’s dedication, mentioning that he performed difficult sequences in extreme conditions with complete commitment.
“This Film Cannot Be Taken Lightly” – Director Ganesh Vinayakan
Director Ganesh Vinayakan said that ‘Arulvaan’ holds a special place in his career.
“This is not just an ordinary film. It carries a lot of pain and emotion. The film is neither a typical art film nor a commercial entertainer. It is a story that conveys an important message to society,” he said.
He thanked producer S.G. Saravanan for expanding the scale of the film and supporting his vision.
The director added that Arulnithi, Aarav, and Baby Krithika are the three key pillars of the film, and that the story unfolds through Baby Krithika’s perspective.
He also revealed that the entire team stayed for 18 days in a remote hill location without proper roads and facilities. He praised Baby Krithika’s dedication and said her performance deserves major recognition.
“A Film About the Importance of Children’s Education” – Arulnithi
Actor Arulnithi shared that the director initially requested only five days of call sheet, but the schedule eventually extended to 20 days due to the demands of the film.
“I play the role of Muthuvel, a district collector. This film speaks about the importance of education for children. I believe this film will earn appreciation and connect with everyone,” he said.
“I Don’t Know If I Will Get Such a Role Again” – Aarav
Actor Aarav said that after hearing the story, he felt that such a unique character might not come again in his career.
“That was the reason I immediately agreed to be part of the film. I did not get the opportunity to work with Arulnithi directly during the shoot, but working with Kaali Venkat was a wonderful experience. His performance amazed me,” he said.
A Film With a Strong Social Message
With a powerful theme centred around equal access to education, breathtaking visuals captured in natural landscapes, and strong performances from its cast, ‘Arulvaan’ is expected to connect with audiences.
The film releases worldwide in theatres on July 17.
