Arasu (2003 film)

Thirunavukkarasu alias Arasu is employed in a temple by Venu Shastri at Kumbakonam and stays in Pichumani's house. Arasu's calm nature and responsible behaviour impress the local people, and Shastri's daughter Meera falls in love with Arasu. One day, Arasu sees the news about the release of a convict from prison and violently kills the convict with the help of a few men. Meera and Shastri witness the murder. Arasu meets Shastri's family and discloses his past. Past: Arasu is the son of Periyavar Nataraj, a kind-hearted gangster who is striving hard for the welfare of slum dwellers in Chennai. Sabapathy is a business tycoon who goes to any extent to earn money. Trouble erupts between Sabapathy and Periyavar, following which Sabapathy is arrested and sentenced to imprisonment for his illegal activities, which led to the deaths of a few young girls. To exact vengeance, Sabapathy's brother Gunashekharan and his henchmen kill Periyavar and his wife Sivagami. Arasu gets enraged and swears vengeance against Sabapathy and Gunashekharan. Present: Venu Shastri and Meera understand Arasu's position and decide to save him by not disclosing his whereabouts to the police. Despite all the attempts by the cops, Arasu successfully kills Sabapathy and Gunashekharan, then surrenders to the police and is sentenced to imprisonment. Five years later, Arasu finally reunites with Meera and leads a happy life. == Cast ==

The film marked the debut of Suresh who had worked with directors like N. Maharajan (Vallarasu), Dharani, and Lingusamy. The film was produced by Baburaja, who previously worked as executive at Super Good Films. A fight scene was picturised at the Kumbakonam market area. Five cameras were used and it took ten days to shoot the fight scene. The scene choreographed by Peter Hayen and canned by cinematographer Y. N. Murali, was shot amidst a large crowd including the hero, some stuntmen, character artistes and the locals. Close-up shots of the fight scene was shot again in Chennai Studio where a set resembling the market place was erected. The film's title was credited in titles as Arasu Darbar with Arasu on top with large letters and Darbar placed below with small letters since the title Arasu was already registered. == Soundtrack ==

The music was composed by Mani Sharma. == Critical reception ==

Sify wrote "the narration is told in a gripping fashion with all the essential ‘masalas’ like punchy dialogues, action, song ‘n’ dance and item numbers". Malini Mannath of Chennai Online wrote, "An 'Arasu' for Sharat, like a Baashha for Rajinikanth, one thought. Till the debutant director, who showed so much promise in the first half, belied it in the second". == References ==