Language: | Tamil |
Director: | Arun Prabu Purushothaman |
Music: | Bindhumalini |
Budget: | ₹10 million |
Runtime: | 2h 10m |
Aruvi (pronunciationⓘ; transl. Waterfalls) is a 2017 Indian Tamil-language political drama film, marking the directorial debut of Arun Prabu Purushothaman. Produced by S. R. Prakash Babu and S. R. Prabhu under Dream Warrior Pictures, the film stars Aditi Balan, Anjali Vardhan, and Lakshmi Gopalaswamy, with supporting roles by Pradeep Antony and Mohammad Ali Baig. The story follows Aruvi, a rebellious young woman navigating an existential crisis while striving to expose the consumerist and misogynistic tendencies of contemporary society. The script was initially conceived in late 2009, but after a lengthy development process, Purushothaman reworked it into Aruvi in late 2013, focusing on the societal treatment of HIV patients.
Despite approaching several leading actresses who declined due to the sensitive subject matter, Aditi Balan was ultimately cast through auditions. The film’s crew primarily consisted of newcomers, with cinematography by Shelley Calist and editing by Raymond Derrick Crasta. The score and soundtrack were composed by indie musicians Bindhumalini and Vedanth Bharadwaj. Pre-production began in mid-2014, and filming took place over six months in Chennai, Trivandrum, and Kochi. Aruvi premiered at various film festivals, with its first public screening at the Shanghai International Film Festival on June 14, 2016. The film was released theatrically worldwide on December 15, 2017, receiving widespread critical acclaim for its performances—especially Balan’s—direction, and technical elements. It was later recognized as one of the ’25 Greatest Tamil Films of the Decade’ by Film Companion.
At the 65th Filmfare Awards South, Aditi Balan won the Critics Award for Best Actress in Tamil, marking the film’s sole win among four nominations. Additionally, Aruvi garnered numerous accolades, including two South Indian International Movie Awards, two Vijay Awards, and several others across various ceremonies. Financially, it was a success, grossing ₹350 million against a budget of ₹10 million. In 2021, plans were announced for a Hindi remake of the film.
Aruvi Movie Screenshot
Aruvi Movie Story
Emily approaches the producers of Solvaseram Sathyam, a reality show that shows people’s problems on television. She complains about three men who raped her friend Aruvi. Assistant director Peter (Pradeep Antony) agrees to air their problem and calls the three for questioning. The next morning, filming begins when anchor Shobha Parthasarathy (Lakshmi Gopalaswamy) asks Aruvi to tell what happened to him. Aruvi then explains that the three men are Jesse’s father, Joseph Mohandas (Mani Kutty), Arulmani, and Swami. Joseph had sexually abused Aruvi when he took refuge in his house. Arulmani took advantage of the situation where Aruvi was begging for a loan and Swami hypnotized and raped her. Aruvi then reveals that she had AIDS for two years (this was contracted due to a cut in her mouth while drinking coconut water, when the seller accidentally spilled her own blood on the straw while cutting open the coconut). She met her friend Emily at an NGO, as both of them had AIDS. Aruvi asks the three men to apologize, but Shobha rebels against Aruvi and accuses them of intentionally infecting these men (who all tested negative for HIV during the show). Aruvi feels scared and realizes all the things that are wrong in society and all the unnecessary stereotypes that a normal person has to conform to in order to fit into this consumerist world.
Director Balaji (Kavitha Bharathy) has used all of the drama and hidden the HIV test results from the three men to boost the TRP ratings of the show. Aruvi takes out a gun and shoots Balaji in the arm. She then calms down and apologizes to everyone but when she gets up to leave, she is attacked by Arulmani and hits Emily. This makes Aruvi furious and he starts hitting Arulmani with an iron bar and holds everyone hostage at gunpoint. Alvi then takes the initiative and imposes boring games and activities on the hostages. The main motive was to impress Alvi and make them share others’ feelings with each other; otherwise, Alvi threatened to shoot them. The hostages follow Alvi’s instructions and participate in the activities. The noise of the commotion creates a huge excitement among the public, and the police surround the area. Alvi receives a call from Shakir, who after some time assures him that the hostages are safe and that she is worried about him. As the game progresses, everyone seems to suffer from Stockholm Syndrome and becomes friends with Albu.
Aruvi Movie Review
Technically, Aruvi shines with its engaging cinematography and a hauntingly beautiful soundtrack that complements the emotional weight of the story. The direction is commendable, skillfully balancing intense drama with moments of dark humor. One of the film’s most impactful scenes occurs during a live reality show, where Aruvi confronts her abusers. This segment serves as a microcosm of societal attitudes, highlighting the often victim-blaming mentality that prevails in discussions around sexual violence and mental health.
Aruvi Movie Tamilyogi YouTube Trailer
While Aruvi has a few pacing issues in the middle, its powerful message and emotional core resonate strongly. The film challenges viewers to confront uncomfortable truths while advocating for compassion and understanding. Aruvi is a significant addition to contemporary Tamil cinema, offering a bold narrative that is both thought-provoking and heart-wrenching. It’s a must-watch for anyone interested in films that tackle social issues with sincerity and depth.
Aruvi Movie Trailer
FAQ About Aruvi Movie
Q1 – Who Directed Aruvi Movie?
A -Arun Prabu Purushothaman
Q2-What Genre Is Aruvi Movie?
A-Drama
Q3-Lead Cast of Aruvi Movie?
A-Aditi Balan Anjali Varadhan
Q4- Rating Of Aruvi Movie?
A-13+