Arjun Das on Anna Ben in Con City: 'Nailing it every single day'
Synopsis
Arjun Das says watching Anna Ben 'nail it every single day' in Tamil — a language she doesn't primarily work in — was the single biggest lesson he took from the set of 'Con City'. It's a rare, candid glimpse into how south India's cross-regional film collaborations are quietly raising the bar for on-set craft.
Key Takeaways
Arjun Das described acting as 'a collaborative process' and said he learns from every co-star.
He singled out Anna Ben 's ability to 'switch on and switch off' emotionally as the key lesson from 'Con City' .
Anna Ben , a Malayalam actress, performed her role in Tamil — not her primary language — drawing praise from her co-star. 'Con City' is written and directed by Harish Durairaj and also stars Yogi Babu , Vadivukkarasi , Imman Annachi , and Akhilan .
Music is by Sean Roldan ; cinematography by Aravind Viswanathan .
Actor Arjun Das has revealed what he took away from working alongside Malayalam actress Anna Ben in the just-released Tamil film 'Con City' — and his answer speaks as much to his own approach to craft as it does to her ability. Speaking in an exclusive interview, the actor, widely regarded as one of south India's fastest-rising talents, described acting as an inherently collaborative process.
What Arjun Das Said About Learning on Set
'I think I get to learn from every actor that I work with and acting for me will always be a collaborative process,' Arjun Das said. 'When they're performing, I need to observe that and I'm hoping I can give my best so that it helps them perform as well.'
Asked specifically what he picked up from Anna Ben during the shoot, he did not hesitate. 'It was just the way how she approaches the character. It's so easy for her to switch on and switch off. The way she comes to the scene. Whether it was tearing up or it was smiling or be it delivering her lines. You know, Tamil is not her go-to language but even then, to pick that up and then deliver what Harish wants is not easy. And you know when you see someone who's totally nailing it every single day! It is a learning process for me.'
Anna Ben's Cross-Language Performance
Anna Ben, primarily known for her work in Malayalam cinema, took on a Tamil-language role in 'Con City' — a challenge that clearly left an impression on her co-star. Her ability to shift emotional registers fluidly, despite working in a language that is not her primary one, drew particular admiration from Arjun Das. It is a detail that underscores the film's ambition in assembling a cast that crosses regional boundaries.
About Con City: Cast and Crew
'Con City' is written and directed by Harish Durairaj. Beyond Arjun Das and Anna Ben, the film features Yogi Babu, Vadivukkarasi, Imman Annachi, and Akhilan in pivotal roles.
On the technical side, the film's music has been composed by Sean Roldan, with cinematography by Aravind Viswanathan. Editing is handled by Arul Moses A, production design by Raj Kamal, and costumes by Navaa Rambo Rajkumar. Lyrics are penned by Mohan Rajan, while choreography is by Santhosh and fight sequences are designed by Action Sandhosh.
What to Watch For
With 'Con City' now in theatres, audience and critical response to Anna Ben's Tamil debut and Arjun Das's continued run of diverse roles will be closely watched. The film represents a notable cross-industry collaboration, and how it performs at the box office will likely shape both actors' next moves.
Point of View
And audiences are responding. Anna Ben performing fluently in Tamil, to the point where a seasoned co-star is taking notes, is a data point in that larger trend. Whether 'Con City' converts that cross-regional goodwill into box-office numbers will tell us whether this casting model has legs beyond the festival circuit.
NationPress
27 Jun 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What did Arjun Das learn from Anna Ben on the set of Con City?
Arjun Das said he was most struck by Anna Ben's ability to switch emotional states effortlessly — from tears to smiles to dialogue delivery — all while performing in Tamil, which is not her primary language. He described watching her perform as 'a learning process' every single day on set.
Who directed Con City and who else is in the cast?
'Con City' is written and directed by Harish Durairaj. The film stars Arjun Das and Anna Ben in the lead roles, with Yogi Babu, Vadivukkarasi, Imman Annachi, and Akhilan in supporting roles.
Is Anna Ben's role in Con City her Tamil-language debut?
Anna Ben is primarily known for her work in Malayalam cinema. 'Con City' sees her performing in Tamil, which Arjun Das noted is 'not her go-to language', making her performance particularly noteworthy according to her co-star.
Who composed the music for Con City?
The music for 'Con City' has been composed by Sean Roldan. Cinematography is by Aravind Viswanathan, with editing by Arul Moses A and lyrics by Mohan Rajan.
When was Con City released?
'Con City' had just been released at the time of Arjun Das's interview, which was reported on 27 June. The film is now playing in theatres.
