Till he entered college, Arulnithi never dreamt he would, someday, work in movies. The day he did, the young actor with an enviable family legacy (he’s DMK patriarch M. Karunanidhi’s grandson) had a plan in place. He promised himself he would never do a film unless he was convinced about the script. And, that he would work only on one project at a time.
Things have worked out well for the reluctant actor, with his films doing well at the box office and creating a positive buzz. Now, he’s shooting for yet another film with a quirky title — Demonte Colony — named after a locality in Chennai that is believed to be haunted. The film, directed by newcomer Ajay Gnanamuthu, is a horror flick but light-hearted too.
“The main factors that motivate me to sign up for a film are — it should be ‘different,’ offer me scope to perform, and be a creation I will be proud of in the future,” says Arulnithi, who made his debut with Vamsam , directed by Pasanga Pandiraj.
That is why when Arulnithi gets scripts where the reference point is something he has already done, he gently declines the roles. “For instance, I get Mouna Guru -style scripts even now. Every film can’t be like that. I can’t work on similar stories all the time,” he says.
That was why audiences got to see him in Chimbu Deven’s breezy Oru Kanniyum Moonu Kalavaanikalum . The forthcoming Naalu Policeum Nalla Irundha Oorum , directed by Srikrishna, promises to be a laugh riot. The film, in which Arulnithi teams up with Remya Nambeesan, is due for release soon.
The actor says he likes to space his films because it is important that every film releases in a good time slot and in good theatres. “So many movies are being launched… it’s a scary situation. If you don’t plan a film’s release well, you’ll only have people watching it on television and telling you it was good!” he laughs. Arulnithi has great hopes for Demonte Colony and the young team behind the film. “I told director Ajay that if he shot the way he narrated it, we would have a great film on hand. The team is young and enthusiastic; I feel like I’ve entered a college full of positive energy. I have to work hard to keep pace with the others in the cast. I feel at least a decade older when I see them,” he says.
Once Naalu Policeum... releases and work on Demonte Colony is wrapped up, Arulnithi will, as always, take a couple of months off, before he starts listening to scripts again. “I never listen to a new script midway through a film. I like to work at my pace and give my all to a project.”
The actor is also clear he will take up projects that gel with his thoughts and looks. “I know how I look! I’m learning to dance only now. I work within my limitations,” he says.
