Arulnithi to play IAS officer in Arulvaan, releasing in theatres on July 17

Actor Arulnithi is set to return to theatre screens on July 17 with the release of the film Arulvaan. The project marks a reunion between the actor and director Ganesh Vinayakan, who last collaborated on the 2013 film Thagaraaru.

In the upcoming film, Arulnithi plays an IAS officer alongside co-stars Aarav and Ramya Pandian. Arulnithi shared that Vinayakan approached him a year and a half ago with a 20-minute footage of the film and proposed the role.

Initially, Arulnithi was hesitant to accept the role because it was pitched as an extended cameo. He felt a senior actor might bring more goodwill to the project. However, he agreed to the part after the director insisted, and after ensuring that his co-star Aarav had no objections to the character's pivotal role in the narrative.

Set in the Western Ghats of Tamil Nadu during the 1990s, Arulvaan follows the story of a young girl named Kurinji, played by Krithika, and her fight for education. Arulnithi, Aarav, and Ramya Pandian play three characters who take on the system to ensure the girl receives her education.

Arulnithi's character is loosely inspired by Malayappan, a real-life IAS officer who worked for the education and well-being of mountain-dwelling communities. The film was shot in parts of Kurangani and Kodaikanal in Tamil Nadu, promising a gritty look into the lives of mountain communities.

Reflecting on his career, Arulnithi noted that he has made fewer than 20 films in his 16-year career, choosing to work at his own pace rather than competing with contemporaries. He also expressed that the traditional concepts of "hero" and "heroine" are becoming insignificant, as modern cinema focuses more on characters.

Following Arulvaan, Arulnithi's future projects include the comedy-drama My Dear Sister with Mamta Mohandas, and the third film in the Demonte Colony horror franchise directed by Ajay Gnanamuthu.