Pollachi (Tamil Nadu) [India], July 16 (ANI): Ahead of its theatrical release on July 17, actor Arulnithi’s upcoming film ‘Arulvaan’ was screened at a special preview for tribal communities from the Anamalai Tiger Reserve near Pollachi in Tamil Nadu on Thursday, offering more than 100 indigenous residents an opportunity to watch a film that closely reflects their lives and struggles.
The special screening was organised by the film’s production team at Shakthi Cinemas in Pollachi.
Transportation was arranged for participants from the Anamalai Tiger Reserve, and tribal schoolchildren attending the event were presented with free school bags.
‘Arulaan’ portrays the traditional lifestyle of indigenous tribal communities that have lived in the hill regions for generations. The film focuses on the hardships faced by tribal families, the challenges of their daily lives, and highlights the importance of women’s education with the aim of creating greater social awareness.
Members of the tribal community who attended the preview said the film closely reflected their own experiences. Several viewers said emotional scenes brought them to tears and praised the film for highlighting the significance of women’s education.
Speaking to the media after the screening, Padmini, a tribal resident of Erumaipaarai in Topslip under the Anamalai Tiger Reserve, said the film accurately portrayed the realities of hill communities.
“The lives portrayed in actor Arulnithi’s upcoming film Arulaan accurately reflect the hardships faced by the hill communities,” she said.
Padmini also raised concerns about the lack of electricity in her settlement despite power lines running along the nearby Parambikulam Road.
“Although electricity is supplied through power lines along the Parambikulam Road, our tribal settlement continues to remain without electricity,” she said, adding, “Whenever we request a power connection, officials allegedly refer us to the Forest Minister, saying only the minister can resolve the issue.”
Describing the film’s portrayal as “100 percent true,” she added, “I have lived without electricity since childhood. Our generation was denied access to electricity. I hope future generations at least receive the facility so children can study under proper lighting and have better educational opportunities.”
Padmini further alleged that visits by the District Collector had not resulted in meaningful action and claimed it took officials nearly four years to construct nine houses for the tribal community.
Other tribal residents said their livelihood depends entirely on the forest and that they have long played an important role in protecting it. They also said many children continue to grow up without access to proper education, while educated youth face difficulties finding employment.
Expressing gratitude to filmmaker Dhanaraj for bringing their concerns to a wider audience through Arulaan, the residents made an emotional appeal, saying they hoped a District Collector like the one portrayed in the film would come forward in real life to address their long-pending grievances. (ANI)
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