Arvind Swamy was born in Chennai, India. His parents were V.D.Swami and Vasantha Swami. V.D.Swami was a freedom fighter and an industrialist and Vasantha Swami was an accomplished Bharatanatyam Dancer. Arvind did his schooling in Sishya School and Don Bosco School in Chennai. He went to Loyola College in Chennai for his undergraduate studies and to Wake Forest, n.c. for his Master's program. Arvind's first film was 'Thalapathi' directed by Mani Ratnam. He went on to do many hit films like 'Roja', 'Bombay', 'Minsara Kanavu', 'Devaragam', 'Puthayal', 'En Swasa Katre', 'AlaiPayuthe' etc. In spite of his many successful movies, many awards and a lot of critical acclaim, he left the movies in 2000 and focused on his business and family. He was the President of InterPro Global and is the Chairman of Talent Maximus, a leading company in India engaged in Payroll Processing, Staffing and HR services. In 2012, he has returned to the movies with Mani Ratnam's 'Kadal', the shooting of which is still in progress.