Director Rahul Sadasivan, known for his meticulous storytelling and eerie atmospheres, has once again struck gold with his latest horror movie, Dies Irae. The film, led by Pranav Mohanlal, has been praised for its gripping narrative and technical excellence. But what’s truly caught the audience’s attention is the breakout performance of Arun Ajikumar, who has impressed both critics and viewers with his powerful yet restrained portrayal. Now, fans are wondering about the journey of Arun Ajikumar.
In Dies Irae, Arun plays Kiran, the brother of Kani (Sushmita Bhat), a woman whose tragic story intertwines with the life of Pranav’s character, Rohan. Kiran’s emotional turmoil, rooted in the haunting memory of his sister’s suicide, forms one of the most compelling arcs in the film. Arun captures the pain and paranoia of a man struggling with trauma and sleeplessness with remarkable control. His ability to balance intensity without exaggeration has earned him widespread appreciation online.
All you need to know about Arun Ajikumar
Before stepping into films, Arun’s journey began on the theatre stage. Arun’s artistic journey began on stage long before he faced the camera. A theatre enthusiast since childhood, he starred in Rosshan Andrews' plays as early as Class 3, travelling across India and learning the art of storytelling.
His early brush with the camera came in school through a short film titled Nakshathrangaluude Rajakumaran, Mammookka’s Biography, directed by Jude Anthany Joseph. Later, he appeared in School Bus, directed by Rosshan Andrrews, though the film didn’t get much attention despite his promising role.
Arun made his film debut with Pookkaalam (2023) and has since appeared in several Malayalam and bilingual projects such as Do Aur Do Pyaar, Little Hearts, Lovely, and Padakkalam. With Dies Irae, he has now positioned himself as one of the most promising new actors in Malayalam cinema, proving that he’s equally capable of handling complex psychological roles.
When acting opportunities slowed down, Arun found a new way to express his creativity. During the COVID-19 lockdown, he began designing posters and sharing them online, an experiment that soon evolved into Aesthetic Kunjamma. What began as a small Instagram page turned into one of Malayalam cinema’s most sought-after design studios, creating posters for films like Bramayugam and Aavesham. Yet, even as design brought him recognition, Arun never gave up on acting.
Aesthetic Kunjamma’s work includes the stunning visual campaign for Mammootty’s Bramayugam, director Rahul Sadasivan’s previous hit. Their designs were widely praised for capturing the film’s haunting tone and unique visual identity.
Apart from Bramayugam, the studio has created posters for several acclaimed films, including All We Imagine as Light, Aavesham, Bhoothakaalam, Bougainvillea, Dominic and the Ladies’ Purse, Kannur Squad, Nadikar, Anweshippin Kandethum, and Thankam.
According to LinkedIn, Arjun Ajikumar pursued Bachelor of Commerce degree from Bharata Mata College in Kochi.
Dies Irae box office collection
As for Dies Irae, the film has turned out to be another major success for Rahul Sadasivan. According to industry tracker Sacnilk, it has already grossed over Rs 33 crore worldwide, receiving strong word-of-mouth for its performances, atmosphere, and technical finesse.
With his impressive screen presence and strong design sensibility, Arun Ajikumar is emerging as a multi-talented creative force in the Malayalam film industry. Whether he’s performing before the camera or crafting compelling visuals behind the scenes, Arun represents a new generation of artists redefining creativity in cinema.
In Dies Irae, Arun plays Kiran, the brother of Kani (Sushmita Bhat), a woman whose tragic story intertwines with the life of Pranav’s character, Rohan. Kiran’s emotional turmoil, rooted in the haunting memory of his sister’s suicide, forms one of the most compelling arcs in the film. Arun captures the pain and paranoia of a man struggling with trauma and sleeplessness with remarkable control. His ability to balance intensity without exaggeration has earned him widespread appreciation online.
All you need to know about Arun Ajikumar
Before stepping into films, Arun’s journey began on the theatre stage. Arun’s artistic journey began on stage long before he faced the camera. A theatre enthusiast since childhood, he starred in Rosshan Andrews' plays as early as Class 3, travelling across India and learning the art of storytelling.
His early brush with the camera came in school through a short film titled Nakshathrangaluude Rajakumaran, Mammookka’s Biography, directed by Jude Anthany Joseph. Later, he appeared in School Bus, directed by Rosshan Andrrews, though the film didn’t get much attention despite his promising role.
Arun made his film debut with Pookkaalam (2023) and has since appeared in several Malayalam and bilingual projects such as Do Aur Do Pyaar, Little Hearts, Lovely, and Padakkalam. With Dies Irae, he has now positioned himself as one of the most promising new actors in Malayalam cinema, proving that he’s equally capable of handling complex psychological roles.
When acting opportunities slowed down, Arun found a new way to express his creativity. During the COVID-19 lockdown, he began designing posters and sharing them online, an experiment that soon evolved into Aesthetic Kunjamma. What began as a small Instagram page turned into one of Malayalam cinema’s most sought-after design studios, creating posters for films like Bramayugam and Aavesham. Yet, even as design brought him recognition, Arun never gave up on acting.
Aesthetic Kunjamma’s work includes the stunning visual campaign for Mammootty’s Bramayugam, director Rahul Sadasivan’s previous hit. Their designs were widely praised for capturing the film’s haunting tone and unique visual identity.
Apart from Bramayugam, the studio has created posters for several acclaimed films, including All We Imagine as Light, Aavesham, Bhoothakaalam, Bougainvillea, Dominic and the Ladies’ Purse, Kannur Squad, Nadikar, Anweshippin Kandethum, and Thankam.
According to LinkedIn, Arjun Ajikumar pursued Bachelor of Commerce degree from Bharata Mata College in Kochi.
Dies Irae box office collection
As for Dies Irae, the film has turned out to be another major success for Rahul Sadasivan. According to industry tracker Sacnilk, it has already grossed over Rs 33 crore worldwide, receiving strong word-of-mouth for its performances, atmosphere, and technical finesse.
With his impressive screen presence and strong design sensibility, Arun Ajikumar is emerging as a multi-talented creative force in the Malayalam film industry. Whether he’s performing before the camera or crafting compelling visuals behind the scenes, Arun represents a new generation of artists redefining creativity in cinema.
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