Arul (film)
Arul (transl. Grace) is a 2004 Indian Tamil-language action drama film written and directed by Hari starring Vikram, Jyothika, Pasupathy, Kollam Thulasi, and Vadivelu, among others. The music is composed by Harris Jayaraj. The story tells how a man is rejected by his family but then finds his way back.
Arul | |
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![]() Promotional poster | |
Directed by | Hari |
Written by | Hari |
Produced by | T. Rama Rao (Presenter) T. Ajay Kumar |
Starring | Vikram Jyothika Pasupathy Kollam Thulasi Vadivelu |
Edited by | V. T. Vijayan |
Music by | Harris Jayaraj |
Production company | Lakshmi Productions |
Release date | 1 May 2004 |
Running time | 163 minutes |
Country | India |
Language | Tamil |
Premise
Arul, who works in a mill is the third son of four brothers in a family of goldsmiths in Coimbatore. Once, Arul's brother steals a chain due to financial circumstances. Arul took the blame and was labelled as a thief, where he was seen as a black sheep by his father Bala Aasari. Thus, he vows never to make a gold ornament ever again. Kanmani, who moves into his neighbourhood eventually falls for Arul. However, Arul does not reciprocate. When Bala scolds Arul at a family gathering, Kanmani stands up for him causing Bala to insult her. Soon, Arul marries Kanmani. The setting up of the party office of the ruling party forces Arul to lock horns with MLA Gajapathy, along with his brother and party leader Sethupathy.
Cast
- Vikram as Arulkumaran "Arul"
- Jyothika as Kanmani
- Pasupathy as MLA Gajapathy
- Kollam Thulasi as Minister Sethupathy
- Vadivelu as Thangamani
- Sathyan as Senthilkumaran
- Vinu Chakravarthy as Baladhandayuthapani / Bala Aasari, Arul's father
- Sujatha as Sornam, Arul's mother
- Saranya Ponvannan as Bhagyam, Arul's sister
- Thalaivasal Vijay as Thirukumarann Arul's brother
- K. S. Ravikumar as Union Leader Thirupathy, Arul's brother-in-law
- Aarthi as Neelaveni, Kanmani's sister
- Vanitha Krishnachandran as Arul's sister-in-Law
- Manobala as Customer
- Ponnambalam as Paalayamkottai Kasilingam
- Kuyili as Kanmani and Neelaveni's mother
- Charan Raj as Police Inspector Ramanathan
- Rekha as Gajapathy's wife
- Sarath Babu as Chief Doctor Viswanathan
- Vaiyapuri as Arul's friend
- Benjamin as Arul's friend
- Sivanarayana Moorthy as Textile Shop Owner
- Thambi Ramaiah as Sethupathy's assistant
- Besant Ravi as Sethupathy's assistant
- Minnal Deepa as Arul's sister-in-law
- Priyanka as Beggar lady
- Sampath Ram as Henchman (uncredited)
- Chaya Singh as Ponni (Special appearance in the song "Venam ponni")
Production
After the success of Saamy, Hari decided to renew the collaboration with Vikram for second time with Arul. Jyothika was selected as heroine pairing with Vikram for second time after Dhool.[1] Vivek was originally a part of the cast but fell out with the director and was subsequently replaced by Vadivelu in the film.[2]
Though the film's plot is set in set in the backdrop of Coimbatore, the film was entirely shot at Karaikudi and was completed within 45 days.[3]
Music
Arul | ||||
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Soundtrack album by | ||||
Released | 15 April 2004 | |||
Recorded | 2004 | |||
Genre | Feature film soundtrack | |||
Length | 26:51 | |||
Label | Hit Musics Vega Music Think Music Bayshore Divo | |||
Producer | Harris Jayaraj | |||
Harris Jayaraj chronology | ||||
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The soundtrack album and background score were composed by Harris Jayaraj collaborating with Hari and Vikram for the third time.
No. | Title | Lyrics | Singer(s) | Length |
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1. | "Arul Theme" (Instrumental) | 1:33 | ||
2. | "Ukkadathu Papadame" | Na. Muthukumar | Tippu, L. R. Easwari, Theni Kunjarammal | 5:29 |
3. | "Oddiyaanam" | Vairamuthu | Hariharan, Srimathumitha | 5:01 |
4. | "Patthu Viral" | Vairamuthu | S. P. Balasubrahmanyam, Swarnalatha | 5:18 |
5. | "Punnakunnu" | Na. Muthukumar | Tippu, Sriram, Manikka Vinayagam | 4:44 |
6. | "Soodamani" | Snehan | Ranjith, Pop Shalini | 4:46 |
Total length: | 26:51 |
Release
Critical reception
The film received positive to mixed reviews.[4] Nowrunning stated the film as "long, stale, tedious and drab".[5] Sify wrote:"If you like Rambo style of films, Arul is worth investing".[6][7] The film failed to impress the urban audience due to logic glitches but was well received in rural areas.
References
- "Reel Talk - One name sells". Chennai Online. Archived from the original on 16 June 2004. Retrieved 12 January 2022.
- "Reel Talk - Unconventional Aparna". Chennai Online. Archived from the original on 3 June 2004. Retrieved 12 January 2022.
- "Arul". Chennai Online. Archived from the original on 16 May 2004. Retrieved 12 January 2022.
- Rangarajan, Malathi (7 May 2004). "Arul". The Hindu. Retrieved 21 June 2019.
- "Arul Review | Arul Tamil Movie Review by Franco".
- "Movie Review : Arul". Sify. Archived from the original on 28 March 2014. Retrieved 9 August 2022.
- Kalki review