Aruvi
Aruvi is a 2017 Tamil-language drama film written and directed by Arun Prabhu Purushothaman in his feature directorial debut, starring newcomer Aditi Balan in the titular role alongside supporting actors including Anjali Varathan, Lakshmi Gopalaswamy, and Muhammad Ali Baig.[1][2] The narrative centers on a young woman raised in a consumer-driven society who rebels against entrenched social norms, exposing hypocrisies in areas such as environmental degradation, gender expectations, and the stigmatization of HIV patients through a unconventional path involving a reality television program and personal adversity.[3][4] Blending elements of thriller, black comedy, and social commentary, the film critiques systemic biases in media and healthcare while highlighting individual resilience, earning widespread critical praise for its innovative storytelling, emotional depth, and Balan's breakthrough performance despite a modest budget and limited mainstream promotion.[5][6][7]Synopsis
Plot Summary
Aruvi follows the titular character, a 24-year-old woman portrayed as gentle and indiscriminate in her affection toward others, who grows up in a consumer-driven society but struggles to conform to its norms.[1] Her life deteriorates following an HIV diagnosis contracted from her partner, which her family misinterprets as pregnancy, resulting in her expulsion from home and descent into homelessness.[6][8] Aruvi finds temporary refuge with an elderly man named Thanikachalam, but faces further degradation during a television appearance where she is publicly shamed as an HIV-positive individual.[3][9] This culminates in her seizing a TV studio, holding its host and crew hostage to confront systemic societal and capitalist exploitations she holds responsible for her plight.[10][7] The narrative employs nonlinear flashbacks to trace Aruvi's transformation from naive optimism to radical defiance, emphasizing her rejection of human-induced environmental and social degradation as a core motivation.[1][11]Cast and Crew
Principal Cast
The principal cast of Aruvi is led by Aditi Balan, who portrays the titular character Aruvi, a young woman raised in isolation amid nature and later confronting urban exploitation and systemic corruption.[1] Shwetha Shekar plays Jessy, Aruvi's confidante and ally in her quest for justice.[12] Lakshmi Gopalaswamy appears as Shobana, contributing to the familial dynamics central to the protagonist's backstory.[13] Pradeep Anthony embodies Peter, a figure involved in the film's investigative elements, while Mohammad Ali Baig takes on the role of DGP Mohammad Shakeel Waqaab, a senior police official pivotal to the plot's resolution.[14] These performances, particularly Balan's debut lead, were noted for their intensity in embodying the film's environmental and social advocacy themes.[13]| Actor | Role |
|---|---|
| Aditi Balan | Aruvi |
| Shwetha Shekar | Jessy |
| Lakshmi Gopalaswamy | Shobana |
| Pradeep Anthony | Peter |
| Mohammad Ali Baig | DGP Mohammad Shakeel Waqaab |