Arvind Swamy made a remarkable entry into the Indian film industry in 1991 with his debut in Thalapathi, directed by the legendary Mani Ratnam. Portraying a character inspired by the great warrior Arjuna from the Mahabharata, the film received critical acclaim and commercial success, marking the beginning of Swamy's promising career.

Continuing his collaboration with Mani Ratnam, Swamy starred in two more iconic films, Roja (1992) and Bombay (1995). Both films achieved pan-India success, cementing his status as a leading star in the industry. His versatility was further demonstrated in the National Award-winning film Minsaara Kanavu (1997), where he co-starred with Bollywood actress Kajol, further enhancing his reputation.

In a candid interview, Swamy opened up about a difficult period in his life, following the loss of both his parents. He shared how working with Mani Ratnam during this time helped him overcome his grief and find direction.

@iniyavaleselvi #arwindswamy #motivation #tamilmotivation #fyp #iniyavaleselvi #viraltiktok ♬ original sound - Iniyavale Selvi

“I had come back from overseas while pursuing my studies, as my mother was diagnosed with cancer. I spent quality time with her during her illness, and after she passed away, I faced another loss just a few months later when my father died. Being an only child, the grief was overwhelming. No one should have to go through such pain,” he revealed.

Swamy also spoke about his decision to sign for Bombay, which, he said, was a personal choice.

“Mani knew where I was coming from. The second half of Bombay was chaotic, with scenes involving fire, riots, and destruction. It didn’t leave me any space to dwell on the emptiness I was feeling. If I wasn’t acting, Mani had me managing junior actors or setting props. I didn’t know why he had me do that, but in hindsight, it helped me get through that tough phase of my life.”

Despite the success of his early films, Swamy faced setbacks towards the late 1990s, with some of his movies underperforming at the box office. Frustrated, he took a break from acting after 2000. During his hiatus, he shifted his focus to managing his father’s business, VD Swamy and Company, and later ventured into entrepreneurship by founding Talent Maximus in 2005, just before a pivotal moment in his life.

Source / Image Credit : Filmcompanion, iniyavaleselvi