Arulnithi's 'Arulvaan' Highlights the Power of Education; Team Shares Challenging Filming Journey

The makers of "Arulvaan", produced by S.G. Saravanan under the banner of 90 Pictures Productions Private Limited and directed by Ganesh Vinayakan, held a grand press meet in Chennai ahead of the film's worldwide theatrical release on July 17. The film stars Arulnithi, Aarav, Ramya Pandian, Baby Krithika, Kaali Venkat, VTV Ganesh, John Vijay, Paruthiveeran Saravanan, Harish Uthaman, and several others in pivotal roles. The film features music by G.V. Prakash Kumar, cinematography by M. Sukumar, art direction by Lalgudi Ilayaraja, and editing by Lawrence Kishore. Sakthi Film Factory will distribute the film.

Addressing the media, actor Kaali Venkat described Arulvaan as one of the most physically demanding films of his career. He revealed that the team shot in remote mountain regions with no road access, forcing the cast and crew to trek long distances carrying their own tents and supplies. Despite the harsh terrain and unpredictable conditions, he said the breathtaking visuals captured by cinematographer M. Sukumar made every hardship worthwhile. According to him, the film's central theme on the importance of basic education will leave a lasting impact on audiences.

Distributor Sakthivelan of Sakthi Film Factory praised the film for combining powerful social content with strong cinematic appeal. He said Arulvaan sensitively portrays the struggles of children deprived of educational opportunities while presenting the realities of life in remote hill communities. He also appreciated director Ganesh Vinayakan's storytelling and Sukumar's spectacular visuals, adding that Arulnithi's presence had strengthened the film's commercial appeal without compromising its emotional core. He expressed confidence that the film would resonate with both critics and general audiences.

Making her debut, Baby Krithika thanked the director and producer for trusting her with an important role despite having no film background. She described sharing screen space with established actors in her very first film as a dream come true. She also revealed that the song "Allippoove," composed by G.V. Prakash Kumar, had become her favourite track and said the entire team endured enormous challenges to complete the film.

Actress Ramya Pandian said she had initially planned to stay away from rural subjects but changed her mind after hearing the script. She explained that the film's focus on children who lack even the most basic access to education deeply moved her. The actress recalled shooting in isolated mountain locations without communication facilities or modern comforts, where the team lived in tents for several days. She described the experience of interacting with the local people as both eye-opening and unforgettable. Ramya also praised Aarav's commitment during physically demanding action sequences and lauded Arulnithi for consistently choosing meaningful scripts.

Director Ganesh Vinayakan said Arulvaan is more than just another commercial entertainer, describing it as a film rooted in pain, hope, and social responsibility. He revealed that unlike his earlier films, this project came to him after producer S.G. Saravanan personally approached him with complete confidence. He credited the producer for expanding the film's scale by bringing leading technicians, including composer G.V. Prakash Kumar, on board.

The director disclosed that the cast and crew stayed in remote mountain camps for nearly eighteen days while filming under extremely challenging conditions, with limited food, no road access, and the constant possibility of wild animal encounters. He praised Baby Krithika's extraordinary dedication and expressed confidence that her performance would earn widespread appreciation. He also revealed that the story unfolds through the perspective of her character, while Aarav portrays a young activist fighting for the rights of marginalized people and Arulnithi appears as District Collector Muthuvel, who continues that fight through the administrative system.

Speaking at the event, Arulnithi said he initially agreed to shoot for only five days, but the schedule gradually extended to nearly twenty days because of the demanding nature of the production. He said portraying District Collector Muthuvel was a rewarding experience and expressed hope that audiences would connect with the film's powerful message about children's right to education.

Actor Aarav said he accepted the project immediately after hearing the script because he believed such meaningful characters rarely come an actor's way. Although he did not share many scenes with Arulnithi, he said working alongside Kaali Venkat was an enriching experience and praised the senior actor's effortless performance.

Blending an emotional social message with visually spectacular landscapes and committed performances, Arulvaan is positioned as a thought-provoking drama that seeks to highlight the value of education while delivering an engaging cinematic experience. With its strong cast, experienced technical team, and socially relevant theme, the film heads to theatres worldwide on July 17 amid growing expectations.