"Aaru" is a 2007 Tamil action thriller directed by Hari, starring Suriya, Trisha and Vadivelu. The film tracks Aarumugam, or Aaru, as he’s called very early on in the film, one such loyal underling to a serious gangster named Vishwanathan. Once Aaru learns the full extent of his mentor’s evil ways, he promises to bring him down and get revenge.
Aaru grows up under the sorted yet vigorous protection of this powerful guy, whom she idles respects like an older brethren. When Vishwanathan goes to war against his rival Kothanda Rama Reddy, Aaru backs him totally. During a protest against the ongoing violence, Aaru’s friends are burnt alive after Bhaskar, Vishwanathan’s assistant, throws fire on them. Initially feeling betrayed after the confrontation, Aaru learns from Reddy what Vishwanathan’s true plan was all along: to kill Aaru and solidify his own power.
Furious at the loss of his love and his honour, Aaru murders the now-wildly-successful businessman Reddy and begins to dismantle Vishwanathan’s underworld empire by going after his brothers and business affiliates. Even with the corrupt cop Rajavelu out for his head, Aaru has an edge, as he takes on Rajavelu’s efforts to hunt him down violently, protects his love interest Mahalakshmi, and unceremoniously does away with Vishwanathan’s most vital henchmen. In the final showdown, Aaru kills Vishwanathan, cuts off his arms and leaves them to send a message of warning, and after he serves time in prison for his crimes, Aaru is finally able to marry Mahalakshmi and begin their life together.
“Aaru” combines adrenaline-fuelled action with an emotional focus on loyalty and betrayal. Suriya is terrific as the intense, hot-headed protagonist, and especially noteworthy is Trisha’s performance as his love interest, which tenderly balances the film’s dramatic weight. Its stunningly orchestrated fight sequences are juxtaposed with quiet moments of tenderness and revenge, keeping the audience on the edge of their seats from start to finish. Vadivelu, the film’s comic relief, offers a jarring contrast that punctuates the heavy narrative and allows for a certain levity.