There are very few actors who truly embody the term “heartthrob” and actor R Madhavan is definitely one of them. With his fine acting skills and dimpled smile, the star has impressed fans across languages over the years. With stellar movies in Tamil and Hindi, Madhavan has proved to be an actor for all seasons, having collaborated with the likes of Mani Ratnam, Raj Kumar Hirani and Rakeysh Omprakash Mehra. Since his debut in the late 1990s, Madhavan has been a favourite with cinema lovers across age groups. On his birthday, we look at five of his best films that deserve your attention.
1. Alaipayuthey
If Madhavan enjoys unparalleled popularity among women in India and especially the southern states, he has Mani Ratnam's Alaipayuthey to thank for it. This simple love story that focuses on a couple's whirlwind romance and life after marriage as they discover themselves and each other is considered a classic with some unforgettable songs. The Shalini-Madhavan film was remade in Hindi as Saathiyaa. You can watch it on Amazon Prime Video.
2. Rehnaa Hai Terre Dil Mein
Another love story starring Madhavan in the lead that has gained a cult status over the years is Rehnaa Hai Terre Dil Mein. While Dia Mirza made her debut with the film, Madhavan played the bad boy everyone fell in love with. The film also features Saif Ali Khan in an important role. You can watch it on Hotstar.
3. Anbe Sivam
Anbe Sivam features Madhavan alongside acting legend Kamal Haasan. While the film underperformed in theatres at the time of its release, it has gone on to be considered a classic. The film follows two men, Nallasivam and Anbarasu, as different as chalk and cheese, on a journey from Bhubaneswar to Chennai. Watch the film on Netflix.
4. Rang De Basanti
In Rang De Basanti, Madhavan's role can best be described as an extended cameo. But even in his short role which serves as a catalyst for the movie's central premise and character developments, Madhavan leaves a mark as Flight Lt. Ajay Singh Rathod. You can watch the film on Netflix.
5. 3 Idiots
In 3 Idiots, Madhavan plays Farhan Qureshi, one part of the trio of friends with Aamir Khan and Sharman Joshi playing the other two pals. As Farhan, a student who loves photography but pushed to pursue engineering to meet his father's expectations, Madhavan touched millions of hearts. Catch the film on Netflix.
Tell us your favourite Madhavan film in the comments.