Exclusive! Oh My Dog is a special film for many reasons: Arun Vijay

Arun Vijay is particular that he tries to choose films that tell a moving story. "Oh My Dog, which is streaming on Amazon Prime, will be something close to my heart not only because it marks my son Arnav's debut venture, but also I share screen space with my dad, after a long time!" 

"Oh, My Dog brings three generations of a family together. This doesn't happen quite easily. Arnav bonded well with my father on the sets. I consider this a huge blessing," Arun Vijay tells. 

The actor says he tries to blend in, with ease, into characters he portrays on-screen—to the extent—he's unrecognisable in character. "I put in a lot of effort for my roles. That is how it has always been; right from my first film!"

Arun Vijay thanks Suriya, for recommending Arnav Vijay. "If not for Suriya sir, I don't think Arnav would have come into the project. Suriya sir had sent Arnav's photo to Sarov Shanmugam (the director of Oh My Dog), on Instagram. I'm equally thankful to Jyotika ma'am for believing in all of us." 

Arun Vijay, initially, wasn't sure about Arnav's film aspirations. "After seeing Arav (Jayam Ravi's son) in Tik Tik Tik, I think the acting bug bit, my son, too. Arnav is an avid movie buff. One day, I came home late by 1.30 am. Everyone was asleep except Arnav. He was watching Minnal Murali. That surprised me a lot." 

The makers had shot Oh My Dog in Ooty, for about 50 days. "Dogs have always been a part of our household. Arnav loves them, too. This was one of the reasons he took up the offer. He has Dalmatian puppies, a mongrel, a Great Dane and the list goes on. Arnav is exactly like his character, Arjun. He brings home puppies, and convinces me to accomodate them!"

Arun Vijay couldn't stop raving about his son's performance in the film. "He's highly intuitive and a natural actor. I was totally surprised by the way he handled everything. He's certainly made me proud!"

Besides promoting Oh My Dog, the makers had also organised free pet adoption drives in Chennai, Coimbatore, Madurai and Bengaluru. "It was a wonderful initiative titled 'Paws for a cause', which helped create more awareness about the need for shelter for stray animals. We had an overwhelming response," Arun says. 

Arun Vijay says he seldom lets the audience down as a performer, but the same cannot be said about his films. "I just look at my interests as an actor. First, the role should intrigue me. Then, I should be comfortable with the story. I want to do just one or two films a year. I do films for the actor in me. I can confidently say that I have been watching cinema from the day I was born. I belong to this space. I used to accompany my father to his shoots; to the dubbing and preview theatres. Now, Arnav joins me, if he doesn't have his tests of homework!"

Arun Vijay doesn't believe in labelling cinema as commercial and art—"I don't term it that way. For me, what matters is whether it is engaging or not," he concludes.

Arun Vijay has a slew of films, lined up for release, including Border, Agni Siragugal, Yaanai, Boxer and Sinam.