Many Moods of R Madhavan

After his last outing in 3 Idiots, Tamil star R Madhavan is crossing over to Bollywood again – this time opposite Kangana Ranaut in Tanu Weds Manu. Here's the Madhavan story ...

Feb 22, 2011 15:12 IST
  • After his last outing in <i>3 Idiots</i>, Tamil star R Madhavan is crossing over to Bollywood again ? this time opposite Kangana Ranaut in <i>Tanu Weds Manu</i>. Here's the Madhavan story ...
    After his last outing in 3 Idiots, Tamil star R Madhavan is crossing over to Bollywood again – this time opposite Kangana Ranaut in Tanu Weds Manu. Here's the Madhavan story ...
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  • The young Madhavan 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 <i>Iruvar</i>.
    The young Madhavan 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 <i>Banegi Apni Baat</i> and <i>Tol Mol Ke Bol</i>.
    The silver screen's loss was television's gain with roles in Banegi Apni Baat and Tol Mol Ke Bol.
  • Commercials and small screen appearances aside, Madhavan also bagged roles in various movies like <i>Is Raat Ki Subah Nahin</i>, <i>Inferno</i> and <i>Shanti Shanti Shanti</i>. But his big break came with the director who rejected him the first time round - Mani Ratnam cast him in <i>Alaipayuthey</i> (2000).
    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).
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  • Mani Ratnam's Midas Touch worked - <i>Alaipayuthey</i> was a hit and Madhavan's fledgling film career took off.
    Mani Ratnam's Midas Touch worked - Alaipayuthey was a hit and Madhavan's fledgling film career took off.
  • His next two movies, <i>Minnale</i> and <i>Dumm Dumm Dumm</i>, set the cash registers ringing and Madhavan was well on his way to being a true blue matinee idol.
    His next two movies, Minnale and Dumm Dumm Dumm, set the cash registers ringing and Madhavan was well on his way to being a true blue matinee idol.
  • But his next releases, Tamil movie <i>Parthale Paravasam</i> and the Bollywood remake of <i>Minnale</i> - <i>Rehna Hai Tere Dil Mein</i> - flopped. However, he did score Best Debut trophies at the Zee Cine Awards and the Star Screen Awards for <i>Rehna Hai Tere Dil Mein</i>.
    But his next releases, Tamil movie Parthale Paravasam and the Bollywood remake of Minnale - Rehna Hai Tere Dil Mein - flopped. However, he did score Best Debut trophies at the Zee Cine Awards and the Star Screen Awards for Rehna Hai Tere Dil Mein.
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  • His third movie with Mani Ratnam was <i>Kannathil Muthamittal</i>, in which he played the father of an adopted child. It was a huge commercial and Madhavan's first critical success, scooping up six National Awards.
    His third movie with Mani Ratnam was Kannathil Muthamittal, in which he played the father of an adopted child. It was a huge commercial and Madhavan's first critical success, scooping up six National Awards.
  • Madhavan turned Action Jackson with <i>Run</i>, which worked very well. But though he was an acknowledged hitmaker down South, legitimate Bollywood glory seemed far out of his reach as his second film, <i>Dil Vil Pyar Vyar</i>, sank without a trace at the box office.
    Madhavan turned Action Jackson with Run, which worked very well. But though he was an acknowledged hitmaker down South, legitimate Bollywood glory seemed far out of his reach as his second film, Dil Vil Pyar Vyar, sank without a trace at the box office.
  • Back home, Madhavan continued his dream run as a critics' darling with his next roles - a young frustrated filmmaker in Anbe Sivam , a Brahmin cook in <i>Nala Damayanthi</i> and a budding cricketer in <i>Priyamana Thozhi</i>.
    Back home, Madhavan continued his dream run as a critics' darling with his next roles - a young frustrated filmmaker in Anbe Sivam , a Brahmin cook in Nala Damayanthi and a budding cricketer in Priyamana Thozhi.
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  • Madhavan was in good company in <i>Aayutha Ezhuthu</i>. Directed, once again, by Mani Ratnam, the film also co-starred Suriya, Siddharth, Meera Jasmine, Esha Deol and Trisha Krishnan.
    Madhavan was in good company in Aayutha Ezhuthu. Directed, once again, by Mani Ratnam, the film also co-starred Suriya, Siddharth, Meera Jasmine, Esha Deol and Trisha Krishnan.
  • Undeterred by Bollywood lukewarm reception of his earlier movies, Madhavan tried a third time with comedy <i>Ramji Londonwaley</i>, a retelling of the <i>Nala Damayanthi</i> story. But there no surprises at the box office this time either ? the movie tanked.
    Undeterred by Bollywood lukewarm reception of his earlier movies, Madhavan tried a third time with comedy Ramji Londonwaley, a retelling of the Nala Damayanthi story. But there no surprises at the box office this time either – the movie tanked.
  • But never say die, Madhavan scored a role in <i>Rang De Basanti</i> opposite no less a person than Aamir Khan. This time, fortune favoured perseverance and there was, finally, a Madhavan shaped dent in Bollywood.
    But never say die, Madhavan scored a role in Rang De Basanti opposite no less a person than Aamir Khan. This time, fortune favoured perseverance and there was, finally, a Madhavan shaped dent in Bollywood.
  • Down South, he could do no wrong at the box office - <i>Thambi</i> and <i>Rendu</i> were blockbuster hits.
    Down South, he could do no wrong at the box office - Thambi and Rendu were blockbuster hits.
  • In 2007, Madhavan appeared in Mani Ratnam's Hindi production, <i>Guru</i>, also starring Abhishek Bachchan, Aishwarya Rai and Vidya Balan. Critically and commercially, <i>Guru</i> was in the green.
    In 2007, Madhavan appeared in Mani Ratnam's Hindi production, Guru, also starring Abhishek Bachchan, Aishwarya Rai and Vidya Balan. Critically and commercially, Guru was in the green.
  • His next few movies - <i>Delhii Heights</i>, <i>Aarya</i>, <i>That Four-Letter Word</i>, <i>Evano Oruvan</i>, <i>Vaazhthugal</i>, <i>Mumbai Meri Jaan</i>, <i>Tipu Kanan Tipu Kiri</i>, <i>Yavarum Nalam</i>, <i>Sikandar</i> ? earned mixed responses but kept his career afloat in the film industry.
    His next few movies - Delhii Heights, Aarya, That Four-Letter Word, Evano Oruvan, Vaazhthugal, Mumbai Meri Jaan, Tipu Kanan Tipu Kiri, Yavarum Nalam, Sikandar – earned mixed responses but kept his career afloat in the film industry.
  • And then, in 2009, came his star making role in Rajkumar Hirani's <I>3 Idiots</i>, opposite Aamir Khan and Sharman Joshi.
    And then, in 2009, came his star making role in Rajkumar Hirani's 3 Idiots, opposite Aamir Khan and Sharman Joshi.
  • Off screen, Madhavan has led a blameless life ? he married air hostess Sarita Birje in 1999 and the couple have a son.
    Off screen, Madhavan has led a blameless life – he married air hostess Sarita Birje in 1999 and the couple have a son.
  • Madhavan is also heavily involved in social causes, among them People for Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA). In 2006, he was voted ?the cutest male vegetarian" by PETA.
    Madhavan is also heavily involved in social causes, among them People for Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA). In 2006, he was voted ‘the cutest male vegetarian" by PETA.
  • Up next, Madhavan stars opposite Kangana Ranaut in <i>Tanu Weds Manu</i>, coming to a theatre near you on February 25, 2011.
    Up next, Madhavan stars opposite Kangana Ranaut in Tanu Weds Manu, coming to a theatre near you on February 25, 2011.