Thank you for the Sandilyan recommendation "Rajamuthirai" ( I thought Kadal Pura of Sandilyan was the most famous book ) and Kalki's short stories . I also am inclined to pick up on of the other two famous books "Parthiban Kanavu" and "Sivagamiyin Sabatham". Its very interesting that you quoted Kundavai. That is an excellent segue into the questions I had on PS. I will come back to that in a bit. Definitely agree on Kalki's potrayal of women. PS is more about the women than the men in the book and its the main strength of the book.
This is played by Mohan Raman isn't it. His make up in the movie was good and I think he too will be sidelined in movie 2.
Wayback in 2000, Arvind met with a serious accident, which led to a spinal injury due to which he could not work for the next 4-5 years. After the accident, he gained massive weight but later, he got back in the shape for the movie Kadal. At 5’8” with massive chest, he would have been rollicking good but then in industry in general and fir mani in particular there could be other not to choose him fir the role you had stated.
"Parthiban Kanavu" is small book and one time read. "Sivagamiyin Sabatham" is also very good novel with lot of fight scenes. whenever i go to mahabalipuram i remember that book..