At 45, Madhavan is Bollywood's Hero No 1
Actor R Madhavan is 2015's hero number one with his film Tanu Weds Manu Returns delivering the year's first blockbuster. As Madhavan turns 45, we take a look at his professional journey so far.
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Madhavan was born to management executive Ranganathan and bank manager Saroja in 1970. He also has a younger sister who lives in the United Kingdom. Madhavan grew up in Bihar and later studied in Kolhapur, Maharashtra. He spent a year in Alberta as part of an exchange programme.
Young Madhavan also aspired to join the Army after making a trip to England as an NCC cadet. -
But a military career was not to be and he turned to acting. Madhavan's very first attempt to break into the movies didn't turn out so well - he failed the screen test for Mani Ratnam's Iruvar. The silver screen's loss was television's gain, with roles in Banegi Apni Baat and Tol Mol Ke Bol.
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Commercials and small screen appearances aside, Madhavan also bagged roles in various movies like Is Raat Ki Subah Nahin, Inferno and Shanti Shanti Shanti. But his big break came with the director who rejected him the first time round - Mani Ratnam cast him in Alaipayuthey (2000) which was a hit and Madhavan's fledgling film career took off.
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In 2012, Madhavan's Vettai was a critical and commercial success, while Bollywood outing Jodi Breakers tanked at the box office. Due to an injury while shooting for Vettai, Madhavan took a sabbatical for a year. During this time, his delayed film from 1997, titled Akeli and Rituparno Ghosh's Sunglass (Taak Jhaank). His performance was highly appreciated in both films.
