Retta Thala actor Arun Vijay: I’m happy to have contrasting films release in 2025 | EXCLUSIVE

Arun Vijay started 2025 with the Pongal release Vanangaan, and just a little before Diwali came with Dhanush-starrer Idli Kadai, and will be signing off this year with Christmas outing Retta Thala. The actor is quite excited about the year, as he says that he likes to space the projects, mostly one at a time. It was the same case with Retta Thala, Vanangaan and Idli Kadai as well. “I am really happy that I have contrasting films this year, quite challenging as an actor, but it’s been a good exploration,” he says in conversation with OTTplay.

Arun Vijay interview:

In Retta Thala, Arun Vijay plays dual characters, the first for the actor ever since his 2019 film Thadam. “In Thadam, I play twins and have some similar looks as well as characteristics. I had to bring only subtle differences in the way I perform. But in Retta Thala, my roles Upendra and Kaali, with the latter being the one with a lot of mystery in him. That curiosity will be until the pre-climax, and I am excited to know how the audience will be taking it. I knew that it would create some curiosity with the audience,” Arun Vijay says. Retta Thala director Kris Thirukumaran had provided inputs to bring out the variation, he adds.

Also read: Retta Thala trailer out: Arun Vijay packs a punch in dual avatars for this racy action thriller

It was 30 years back in December when Arun Vijay debuted with the 1995 Murai Mappillai, which Arun Vijay says has flown by very soon. Acknowledging that he has done only limited films in a span of three decades, Arun Vijay says he took time for each project. The actor mentions, “I did not want the audience to get too tired of me, and I think this is the only year when I have had three films. But I take time to do films and concentrate on quality over quantity. I still have more to explore as an actor. I want to surprise my audience with what I bring to them on big screens.”

Some of Arun Vijay’s characters, like Viktor from Yennai Arindhal and the twins from Thadam, have gone on to be either iconic or set a benchmark for what is expected out of him, but the actor says that he likes it but does not want to repeat it. “Even if it is action, I look out for a different plot in my movies. I focus on the script and what will engage the audience,” the actor states.

‘All my successful films were action thrillers’

But Arun Vijay’s filmography has been largely taken up by crime and action thrillers. On this, the actor addresses, “The Audience liked it, and I don’t feel wrong in doing films like that. All my successful films were action thrillers. Similarly, Retta Thala too comes as a package, and we wanted to deliver a theatrical experience.”

Also read: Retta Thala actor Siddhi Idnani: Audience are smart enough to differentiate between unwanted and important characters

Retta Thala has a runtime of less than two hours, and Arun Vijay says that we are now in times when attention span is lessening. “With the script being tight and not much deviations, that is the main thing about the film that made me take up the role,” the star says.

Some of Arun Vijay’s choices, say playing a baddie in Idli Kadai was purely for working with Dhanush in the capacity of a director, he says. Meanwhile, in the case of Vanangaan, he wanted to know the limits Bala could push him. “Be it series Tamirockerz or Chekka Chivantha Vaanam, these projects excited me. I have to be confident as an actor when I make decisions that are one off.”

In 2026, the actor promises that he wants to experiment more with genres and adds that he has signed up for some light-hearted films. “I would like to explore scripts that will engage more with the audience, and tap into my strengths too. More than my comfort zone, I look on creating different content,” he says while adding that he was conscious to avoid cop roles that came his way in recent times. Arun Vijay will be reuniting with the Retta Thala producers for a courtroom drama, which he calls ‘much-needed for the hour’ and will be announced in January 2026. “I have listened to some more scripts. My Thadam director Magizh is also working on a script and if everything goes well, that too is there next year,” he reveals. Wrapping up 2025, Arun Vijay says what he learnt this year, “This year taught me a lot. From Vanangaan to Retta Thala, working with Bala sir, 2025 has been very good so far.”

Retta Thala FAQs

Q. Who is the hero of Retta Thala?

A. Arun Vijay is the hero of Retta Thala.

Q. Who is the music director in the movie Retta Thala?

A. Sam CS has scored the music for Retta Thala.

Q. What is Retta Thala release date?

A. Retta Thala will release on December 25.