Aari Arujunan
Aari Arujunan | |
|---|---|
.jpg) Aari Arujunan at an NGO event | |
| Born | |
| Occupations | Actor, fitness coach |
| Years active | 2005–present |
| Spouse |
Nathiya (m. 2015) |
| Children | 2 |
Aari Arujunan is an Indian actor who has appeared in Tamil language films. He made his lead debut in Rettaisuzhi (2010) produced by director Shankar, before having a breakthrough performance in Nedunchaalai (2014) and starring in the supernatural thriller Maya (2015).[1] In 2021, he emerged as the winner of the reality television show Bigg Boss 4.[2]
Career
[edit]Aari, before entering films, had background in theatre featuring in productions by Magic Lantern, Theatre Nisha and Inland Theatres.[3][4] He appeared in a minor role in Alaiyadikkuthu (2005) and was later cast in the role in T. V. Chandran's Aadum Koothu (2006).[5]
Aari made his lead debut in Rettaisuzhi (2010), produced by director Shankar.[6] In October 2011, it was announced that Aari would feature in Maalai Pozhudhin Mayakathilaey and would star alongside winner of Miss South India 2010, Shubha Phutela. Aari mentioned that it was "really challenging to play an ordinary guy", as he had to consciously keep his emotions to a minimum at all times.[7] Aari portrayed the lead role in N. Krishna's third venture, a romantic road trip film titled Nedunchaalai (2014), a period film set in the 1980, which took two years to complete.[8] The film opened to positive reviews.[9][10] His following venture, the comedy Kadai Enn 6, remains unreleased.[11][12] Another venture Dharani directed by newcomer Guhan Sambandham, released in 2015, which did not perform well.[13] In the same year, he played a pivotal role in Maya, a supernatural thriller alongside Nayanthara.[14][15] It was a huge success at the box office and was critically acclaimed.[16] In 2016, he was seen in Unnodu Ka, which performed average reviews.[17] Later, he was cast in horror comedy Nagesh Thiraiyarangam in lead role opposite Ashna Zaveri.[18]
In January 2021, he emerged as the title winner in the reality show Bigg Boss Tamil 4.[19]
He has played a significant role in Nenjuku Needhi (2022), alongside Udhayanidhi Stalin directed by Arunraja Kamaraj, the official remake of critically acclaimed Hindi film Article 15.[20] His next venture was the science fiction film Ellaam Mela Irukuravan Paathuppan (2023).[21]
Aari Arjunan seen as the host in the reality show Vaa Thamizha Vaa.[22] He has played in the legal drama series Good Wife.[23] Aari Arjunan plays the protagonist in the psychological thriller, Fourth Floor (2026).[24]
Personal life
[edit]Aari was born in Palani, Tamil Nadu. He married Nathiya, a UK-based HR professional of Sri Lankan origin, on 18 November 2015 and the couple has two children; a girl named Riya (born 2016) and a son, Ranatheeran (born 2023).
He was a fitness coach before becoming actor.[25]
As a social activist, he has supported Tamil culture, language and agriculture. In 2018, he started a 'தமிழ் கையொப்பம்' (Tamil Signature) movement where he wanted all the Tamil people to sign documents in Tamil script. He holds the Guinness Book of World Records for most signatures on a whiteboard. He also holds the Guinness World Record for planting approximately 30,000 seedlings with 20,000 participants, in a 15-acre land, in collaboration with Sathyabama University. In 2017, he actively participated in Jallikattu protests held in Marina beach, Chennai.
Filmography
[edit]Film
[edit]| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2005 | Alaiyadikkuthu | Brindha's husband | credited as Akhil Kumar |
| 2006 | Aadum Koothu | Muthu | |
| 2010 | Rettaisuzhi | Murthy | |
| 2012 | Maalai Pozhudhin Mayakathilaey | Ajay | |
| 2014 | Nedunchaalai | Murugan | |
| 2015 | Dharani | Shekar | |
| Maya | Vasanth / Arjun | ||
| 2016 | Unnodu Ka | Siva | |
| 2017 | Mupparimanam | Himself | Special appearance in the song "Let's Go Party" |
| 2018 | Nagesh Thiraiyarangam | Nagesh | |
| 2022 | Nenjuku Needhi | Kumaran | |
| 2023 | Ellaam Mela Irukuravan Paathuppan | Ragu | Direct Television premiere on Colors Tamil |
| 2024 | Thiru.Manickam | Himself | Cameo appearance |
| 2026 | Fourth Floor | Dheeran |
Television
[edit]| Year | Title | Role | Channel | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2017 | Manadhaal Inaivom Maatrathai Varaverppom - Zee Tamil Brand Film | Aari As Himself | Zee Tamil | Co-starring Jyothika, directed By Sudha Kongara Brand Shorts For Zee Tamil[26][27] |
| 2019 | Vanakkam Tamizha | Guest | Sun TV | |
| 2020–2021 | Bigg Boss Tamil Season 4 | Contestant | STAR Vijay | Winner |
| 2021 | Bigg Boss Season 4 Kondattam | Guest | Celebration of Bigg Boss Season 4 | |
| Bharathi Kannamma & Raja Rani Season 2 Maha Sangamam | Himself | Special Appearance | ||
| BB Jodigal | Guest | Grand Launch | ||
| 2022 | Namma Vettu Kalyanam | STAR Vijay Music | Couple Show;
Along With Nathiya | |
| 2024 | Cheran’s Journey | S. Pranav | SonyLIV | streaming web series |
| 2024–present | Vaa Thamizha Vaa season 3 | Host | Kalaignar TV | Reality debate show[28] |
| 2025 | Good Wife | Hari Deepak | JioHotstar | Streaming web series |
| 2026 | Bigg Boss – The Common Man | Judge | JioHotstar Star Vijay |
Reality show[29] |
Awards
[edit]| Year | Cateogary | Awards | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 | Bigg Boss Tamil 4 | Title Winner | He became the Title winner of the Reality Show [30] |
| 2018 | FETNA | Guinness World Record | His Signature Campaign along with FETNA in America |
| 2017 | Transplanting Seedlings | Guinness World Record | Transplanting Seedlings with 3000 students from Sathyabhama University |
| 2017 | Youth Icon Award | Trikona Awards | For exemplary work for the betterment of society and motivating Youth |
| 2016 | Youth Icon Award | Take Care India | Association with DR.APJ - Abdul Kalam International Foundation |
| 2015 | Best Actor | V4 Award | Film Nedunchaalai |
| 2014 | Best Actor | Films Fans Association 62nd Annual Award | Film - Nedunchaalai |
References
[edit]- ↑ "Aari Arujunan". moviebuff.
- ↑ "Bigg Boss Tamil 4 winner Aari Arjuna: From being a Guinness record holder to the most nominated contestant in the BB house, all you need to know about the actor". The Times of India. Retrieved 18 January 2021.
- ↑ "Challenging roles". The Hindu. 2 January 2011. Archived from the original on 26 April 2011.
- ↑ "Aari's acting dreams". The New Indian Express. Archived from the original on 26 April 2015.
- ↑ "Taking to the highway". The Hindu. 20 April 2014.
- ↑ "On the highway of fame". The Hindu. Retrieved 21 May 2016.
- ↑ "Playing a simple person the toughest job: Aari". The Times of India. 15 January 2017.
- ↑ "Aari Interview".
- ↑ "Review : Nedunchalai". Sify. Archived from the original on 28 March 2014.
- ↑ Baradwaj Rangan (29 March 2014). "Nedunchalai: Road rage". The Hindu.
- ↑ "Variety-Seeker Aari Gets Laughter Break". The New Indian Express. Archived from the original on 15 October 2014.
- ↑ "'Kadai Enn 6' about the mindset of Chennai youngsters". The Times of India. Retrieved 16 January 2017.
- ↑ "Dharani". The Times of India. Retrieved 30 January 2015.
- ↑ "Nayanthara's love for horror films helped director Ashwin Saravanan make 'Maya'". DNA india. Retrieved 17 September 2015.
- ↑ "Review: Maya is a truly haunting experience". Rediff. Retrieved 18 September 2015.
- ↑ "CHENNAI BOX OFFICE". Behindwoods. Retrieved 1 November 2015.
- ↑ "Unnodu Ka". The Times of India. Retrieved 13 May 2016.
- ↑ "Nagesh Thiraiarangam Review: A horror film indeed". Cinema Express. Retrieved 16 February 2018.
- ↑ admin. "Everything about Aari Arjuna Big Boss 4 - CelebWoods.com". Retrieved 2 March 2021.
- ↑ "Aari Arjunan in Udhayanidhi's 'Article 15' remake". The Times of India. 28 April 2021. Archived from the original on 28 April 2021.
- ↑ "Bigg Boss Tamil 5 title winner Aari Arujunan's 'Ellaam Mela Irukuravan Paathuppan' set for its direct Television premiere". The Times of India. Retrieved 21 March 2023.
- ↑ "'Vaa Thamizha Vaa season 3' to premiere soon; Aari Arjunan to be seen as the host". The Times of India. Retrieved 7 April 2024.
- ↑ "Good Wife Series Review: An entertaining legal drama that deserves more breathing room". Cinema Express. Retrieved 6 July 2025.
- ↑ "Aari Arujunan's horror film Fourth Floor gets a release date". Cinema Express. Retrieved 1 February 2026.
- ↑ "Bigg Boss Tamil 4 contestant Aari Arjuna: From fitness to philanthropy, everything you need to know about this celebrity fitness trainer-turned-actor". The Times of India. 4 October 2020. Retrieved 30 January 2026.
- ↑ Jyotika is Zee Tamil brand ambassador. Times of India (16 October 2017). Retrieved on 14 August 2018.
- ↑ Actor Jyothika to endorse Zee Tamil, Marketing & Advertising News, ET BrandEquity. Brandequity.economictimes.indiatimes.com (16 October 2017). Retrieved on 14 August 2018.
- ↑ "'Vaa Thamizha Vaa season 3' to premiere soon; Aari Arjunan to be seen as the host". The Times of India. 7 April 2024. ISSN 0971-8257. Retrieved 11 November 2024.
- ↑ "Bigg Boss Tamil 10 promo out: Aari Arujunan, Raju Jeyamohan and Oviya join 'The Common Man' as judges". The Times of India. 3 August 2026.
- ↑ "From Aari Arjuna getting movie offers to Velmurugan being honored by Tamil Nadu government: Here's how Bigg Boss Tamil 4 contestants are riding on their popularity". The Times of India. 24 January 2021. Retrieved 20 January 2022.