politicalvoicenews.com ,September 1st,2025: For Arun Rayadurgam, acting isn’t just a profession-it’s a continuation of the discipline and dedication he discovered on the theatre stage. With his debut film 1990’s now reaching Telugu audiences, Arun’s journey reflects perseverance, mentorship, and an unwavering love for his craft.
Theatre was Arun’s first training ground. He spent years performing challenging roles that honed his seriousness and commitment as an actor. Central to this journey was Nassar, one of India’s most respected actors, who not only guided Arun but also curated plays for him. Nassar’s mentorship was pivotal in shaping Arun’s growth and confidence.
Their collaboration extended beyond theatre. Arun was cast as the lead in a Tamil film personally curated by Nassar. Although the project was shelved after completion, the experience reinforced Arun’s belief in his path.
Alongside theatre, Arun gained cinema experience as a character artist in a few Kannada films before stepping into a lead role with 1990’s. An engineer-turned-actor, he studied Computer Science at Sathyabama University, Chennai, worked at HCL Technologies in Bangalore, and later trained at the Balu Mahendra Film Institute. Today, as 1990’s expands into Telugu, Arun stands as an actor shaped by theatre, nurtured by mentorship, and committed to sincerity in every performance.
After completing his acting course at the Balu Mahendra Film Institute, Arun immersed himself in Tamil Nadu’s theatre scene as a freelancer, gradually establishing his identity as a performer.
Early in his career, he collaborated with theatre personalities like Bagu, Veli Rangarajan (the renowned theatre critic and publisher of Veli magazine), and Arunmozhi Shivaprakasam, who introduced him to Bagu. He became a key member of the theatre collective Thinainilavaasigal, exploring pure forms of theatre-from stage performances to street plays addressing social issues-traveling across India to connect with diverse audiences. This versatility kept him grounded, reminding him that performance exists for people everywhere, not just inside auditoriums.
One of the most cherished aspects of this journey was the support of Nassar, who offered his farmhouse in Chengalpattu as a rehearsal space. Such encouragement gave Arun and other young actors the confidence to explore their craft freely.
For Arun, theatre was more than training-it was a way of life, instilling a discipline that continues to define him as an actor who values sincerity over shortcuts.
