Rapper Arivu Makes Malayalam Debut With Sajin Baabu’s ‘Tharkkam’: Grammy Winner Victor On Board
Tamil rapper, singer, and composer Arivu is set to make his mark in Malayalam cinema with ‘Tharkkam’, directed by Sajin Baabu, a project that brings together the acclaimed rapper and internationally renowned music producer and engineer Victor Van Vugt.
Arivu, whose full name is Arivarasu Kalainesan, is known for his distinctive rap style and socially conscious music.
He rose to wider recognition with independent Tamil hits such as Enjoy Enjaami and has also contributed to popular film songs including Single Pasanga from Natpe Thunai, Vaathi Raid from Master, Neeye Oli from Sarpatta Parambarai,
Golden Sparrow from Nilavuku En Mel Ennadi Kobam and Thalapathy Kacheri from Jana Nayagan.
For Tharkkam, Arivu is bringing his signature lyrical and performance style to a Malayalam-language project.
The song reportedly combines his rap with an international production team involving Victor Van Vugt in the recording sessions, with music by Sayed Abbas and lyrics penned by Vinay Kumar.
Van Vugt, an Australian music producer, mixer, and engineer based in Berlin, has an extensive international career spanning several decades.
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He has worked with acclaimed artists including Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds, PJ Harvey, Beth Orton, Depeche Mode, The Pogues, Gogol Bordello, Billy Bragg and The Fall, among others.
His credits include Nick Cave and Kylie Minogue’s Where the Wild Roses Grow, which won the ARIA Award for Song of the Year in 1996. He also worked on PJ Harvey’s Stories from the City, Stories from the Sea, which won the Mercury Prize for Album of the Year, as well as Beth Orton’s Trailer Park and Central Reservation, and Athlete’s Vehicles and Animals, which was nominated for the Mercury Prize.
The collaboration marks an interesting meeting of two distinct musical worlds, bringing Arivu’s Tamil rap sensibilities together with Van Vugt’s extensive experience in international alternative and independent music.
Sajin Baabu’s Tharkkam adds another Malayalam project to his growing body of work across Indian cinema. The movie is scheduled for a theatrical release in 2026.
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He gained wider recognition with his 2019 film Biriyaani, which won several honours, including the NETPAC Award for Best Film at ASIATICA in Rome, Italy, while Baabu received a Special Jury Mention at the 67th National Film Awards.
His films have continued to feature prominently on the international festival circuit. His latest film, Theatre: The Myth of Reality, released on October 16 and received praise for its storytelling and performances.
The film also earned Baabu the Best Director award at the Western Gate International Film Festival in Russia, adding another international recognition to his filmmaking career.
