| Aarya | |
| Director: | Balasekaran |
| Producer: | Manoj Kumar Vijay Anandan |
| Starring: | R. Madhavan Bhavana Prakash Raj Vadivelu |
| Music: | Mani Sharma |
| Cinematography: | K. V. Guhan |
| Editing: | V. Jaisankar |
| Studio: | Guru Films VJ Movies |
| Distributor: | Rekha Combines |
| Runtime: | 155 minutes |
| Country: | India |
| Language: | Tamil |
Aarya is a 2007 Indian Tamil-language romantic comedy film written and directed by Balasekaran and produced by Manoj Kumar and Vijay Anandan. The film stars R. Madhavan and Bhavana, while Prakash Raj and Vadivelu appear in supporting roles. The film's music was composed by Mani Sharma with cinematography by K. V. Guhan and editing by V. Jaisankar. The venture had a theatrical release across Tamil Nadu on 10 August 2007.
Deepika (Bhavana) is an arrogant, rich girl and the sister of local don Kasi (Prakash Raj). She is a medical college student and dictates terms at the college. In the college, she is feared by students, professors, and even the college dean. Enters Aarya (R. Madhavan), a final-year student who comes to Chennai Medical College from Coimbatore. A soft-spoken Aarya runs into Deepika. They give each other the cold shoulder. In a fit of rage, Deepika kidnaps Aarya's sister, but Aarya faces her challenges daringly. However, she soon falls in love with him, but he is not ready to marry a ruffian's sister. The remaining story tells us how the brother and sister put pressure on Aarya to become a rowdy so his status is equal enough as Kasi's so Aarya can marry Deepika. Meanwhile, "Snake" Babu (Vadivelu) is elected the area councilor and has a few encounters with Aarya and one with Deepika. Finally, Deepika changes her ways, and with her brother's blessings, unites with Aarya.
R. Madhavan agreed to work on the film during early September 2005 and announced he would feature in a film being made by director Manoj Kumar, after completing work on Thambi (2006). Manoj Kumar assigned Balasekaran to direct the film, a romantic comedy where Madhavan would portray a medical student.[1] [2] Malayalam actress Bhavana was signed on to appear on the film during October 2005, while Prakash Raj was selected to portray her brother, the antagonist of the film.[3] [4] Actress Tejashree was selected ahead of Madhumitha for a role in the film.[5]
The film was shot throughout late 2005 and early 2006, with a simultaneous Telugu version shot featuring Sunil in place of Vadivelu. Fair and Lovely, a brand associated with the film, also held a competition where aspiring actors could audition for a chance to play Madhavan's friend in the film. Praveen from Chennai won the talent hunt and appeared in the film, though he appeared in no further films after he committed suicide in December 2007.[6] However the film ran into production troubles during mid 2006 and was put on hold by the producers.[7] The film later picked up in mid 2007 and was released by the producer, while the Telugu version was shelved.[8]
Soundtrack was composed by Mani Sharma and the lyrics were written by P. Vijay.[9]
The film opened to mixed reviews upon release. Sify.com wrote, "Director Balasekhar has packaged Aarya keeping the ordinary viewer who loves mass movies in mind. Madhavan, Bhavana and Prakash Raj have done their bit to make it work with the viewers and provide a time-pass entertainer".[10] Behindwoods.com gave 1.5/5 saying "It lacks in tight screenplay and coherent narration".[11] Bizhat.com suggested "with more minus points than plus points, Aarya falls under the 'also ran' category".[12] Manaswini of Kalki wrote if Balasekaran had told the story without tension, increased the pace of the script a little more, reduced the Bhavana-Prakash Raj antics a little more, and polished the climax a little more, Arya would have been someone who cannot be beaten.[13] Chennai Online wrote "It's a film sans any logic or sensibility. But what keeps it going is its racy pace, which breezes through all those bizarre situations and takes it to a finale, where it is all wrapped up in a neat smart knot. You miss this film, you haven't missed much!".[14]
The film was later dubbed and released in Telugu as Arya MBBS and in Hindi as My Dear Big B. In 2015, a film titled a comedy film titled Vellaiya Irukiravan Poi Solla Maatan, taken from a line mouthed in Vadivelu's comedy sequences, was released.[15]