Actor Aarav was in news ever since he and actress Oviya started romancing on the Tamil Bigg Boss Season 1 and later he turned her down when she proposed him. Aarav was finally declared as the winner of the first edition. He was flooded with a lot of film offers post his stint in BB, but he was waiting patiently for a good script. Looks like it has paid off now!
Aarav has signed a biggie titled Raja Bheema, an action entertainer that deals with the conflicts between man and animal. In this story, it is an elephant. Directed by newcomer Naresh, an ad filmmaker and former assistant of Manoj of Velvet Nagaram fame, an excited Aarav speaks to DC about his role, how he took training with the elephant and his other films etc.
“After Bigg Boss gave me a huge recognition and just like a movie, it reached all the A, B and Centres and even abroad. Though I did a few films earlier, I made up my mind that I should only go for a script that is really big in terms of content which reaches masses.
I stayed calm and patient which is when Raja Bheema happened. It was a fascinating story away from the clichéd stuff and I felt this is the ‘one’ I was waiting for (smiles)”.
So, who is Bheema Raja, we ask and he grins. “Not only the title, the script is also powerful which handles an important issue. Apparently, there’s no message kind of stuff and the film has perfect blend of romance, humour, emotions, actions, sentiment etc. And yes, I play Raja and the elephant is named Bheema.”
The tall actor says he was given full training with the elephant before commencing the shoot. “I was with the elephant for about three weeks, feeding him, and getting friendly with him. The movie is set in Pollachi town and nearby areas.” He also reveals that the makers have submitted the bound script to Animal Welfare Board well in advance and got their clearance to shoot with animals.
The heroine of RB is yet to be finalised. Yogi Babu and Munishkanth are part of the film, while talks are on with ace Nasser. Simon of Sathya fame composes music. Bankrolled by Surabhi Films and Satish Kumar, who worked in films which dealt with nature like Peraanmai and Kadamban, is behind the camera.
Ask him about his other movie Meendum Vaa Arugil Vaa, which is yet to see the light of the day, he says, “It is a horror flick and is complete.”
