Actor Silambarasan TR’s upcoming film Arasan, directed by Vetri Maaran and mounted by producer Kalaipuli S Thanu under the V Creations banner, continues to build massive anticipation ever since it was announced as a story stemming from the world of Vada Chennai. While excitement around the film has been steadily growing with every update, Thanu has now opened up about STR’s commitment and transformation for the project in a recent interview with Behindwoods.

Speaking about the actor’s dedication, Thanu revealed that STR had grown his hair for nearly a year for filmmaker Desingh Periyasamy’s project but chose to put that aside after hearing the story of Arasan. “After hearing the story of Arasan, he set that project aside, changed his hairstyle for this film, and completely lived as the character,” Thanu said, adding that the actor has now earned a special place in Vetri Maaran’s heart.

The veteran producer also strongly defended STR against criticisms surrounding punctuality and professionalism. “Whenever they called him for a shoot, he would arrive one hour earlier, but never even an hour late. I really don’t understand why people speak negatively about that boy,” he said. Calling STR a “single-take artist", Thanu praised the actor’s involvement in every frame and described him as someone who has fully surrendered himself to the production.

Thanu further revealed that STR had faced health issues during the Kovilpatti schedule but returned after treatment and continued performing "brilliantly". “Everything about him is correct and perfect. He’s a single-take artist, comes on time, and leaves on time,” he stated, while calling Arasan a film that would mark a “huge transformation” in the actor’s career and create a “massive impact” at the box office.

Without revealing major details from the film, Thanu teased that Vetri Maaran is “sculpting the film beautifully, like carving a masterpiece little by little every single day". He also shared that he recently watched a scene from the film and found STR’s screen presence “adorable and beautiful", adding that “just one look” from the actor carries immense impact.

Arasan began production earlier this year in Kovilpatti before moving to Chennai for its ongoing second schedule. The team is expected to next shift to East Coast Road in suburban Chennai for the film’s final leg, where a massive set recreating the Vada Chennai milieu is likely to be erected. Vijay Sethupathi, who reportedly plays a cop in the film, is expected to join during the third schedule. The makers are eyeing a Deepavali theatrical release.

Apart from Silambarasan, the film also stars Priyanka Mohan, Yogalakshmi, Andrea, Ameer, Samuthirakani, and Kishore.