Atharvaa Murali Reacts to Missing ‘Pariyerum Perumal’ Role: “No Regrets, Kathir Did a Superb Job”
The actor responds to Mari Selvaraj’s revelation at the ‘DNA’ audio launch
Chennai, June 12 (TheTrendingPeople): Tamil actor Atharvaa Murali has said he holds no regrets over missing the lead role in Mari Selvaraj’s critically acclaimed debut film, ‘Pariyerum Perumal’, even though he was the first actor the director approached for the film.
Speaking at the audio launch of the upcoming film ‘DNA’, directed by Nelson Venkatesan, where Atharvaa stars alongside Nimisha Sajayan, the actor candidly addressed the revelation made moments earlier by director Mari Selvaraj.
“Mari Sir Has Dropped a Bomb and Left”
Atharvaa, who took the stage right after Mari Selvaraj, began his speech with a smile and said:
“I wanted to talk about a lot of things pertaining to ‘DNA’. But Mari Sir has come, dropped a bomb and left.”
The actor was referring to Selvaraj’s unexpected disclosure that Atharvaa was his first choice to play the protagonist in Pariyerum Perumal, a film that went on to receive critical acclaim and become a cult classic in Tamil cinema.
Mari Selvaraj’s Revelation: Atharvaa Was First Choice for ‘Pariyerum Perumal’
In his earlier speech, Mari Selvaraj shared how Pariyerum Perumal was initially conceptualized with Atharvaa in mind. He said:
“The first hero to whom I narrated the script of 'Pariyerum Perumal' was Atharvaa. After watching his performance in ‘Paradesi’, I was inspired to write the film. When ‘Banaa Kaathadi’ released, I imagined Atharvaa in this character. I met him and narrated the script, but due to his busy schedule at the time, he couldn’t commit to it. I was very upset that day.”
Atharvaa Responds Gracefully
Reacting to Selvaraj’s comments, Atharvaa praised the film and acknowledged actor Kathir’s contribution:
“Too many things happened after Paradesi. Pariyerum Perumal is one of the best films I’ve watched in the last decade. It’s a film I really loved. That said, I have no regrets at having missed the project, because Kathir did a superb job.”
Turning toward Mari Selvaraj, he added humorously:
“I am now hoping that you will narrate another script to me soon.”
About ‘Pariyerum Perumal’
Released in 2018, Pariyerum Perumal marked Mari Selvaraj’s directorial debut and starred Kathir in the titular role. The film was lauded for its powerful social message, focusing on caste discrimination, social justice, and education in rural Tamil Nadu. Backed by director Pa. Ranjith’s production house, the film became a milestone in Tamil cinema, both critically and culturally.
Kathir’s performance won widespread acclaim, and the film has since gained cult status.
Atharvaa’s Current Focus: ‘DNA’
Meanwhile, Atharvaa is set to return to screens with the film ‘DNA’, directed by Nelson Venkatesan, known for his earlier films like Oru Naal Koothu and Monster. The film also stars Malayalam actress Nimisha Sajayan, making her Tamil debut.
The film, which is being marketed as an emotional family drama with thriller elements, is expected to release later this year. Atharvaa expressed his excitement for the film, emphasizing its unique script and strong emotional core.
What’s Next for Atharvaa and Mari Selvaraj?
With Atharvaa publicly expressing interest in working with Mari Selvaraj again, fans are hopeful that a collaboration between the two may materialize in the future. Both artists are known for taking on content-driven cinema that resonates with audiences across Tamil Nadu and beyond.
As Atharvaa continues to explore performance-oriented roles, and Mari Selvaraj prepares for his next ambitious projects (including the much-anticipated film with actor Dhruv Vikram), the possibility of a joint venture between them remains an exciting prospect for Tamil cinema enthusiasts.