Actor R. Madhavan, who has over 20 years of experience in both the Tamil and Hindi film industries, has been candid about his experiences on set and the difficulties he has in speaking two languages. Despite his accomplishments, Madhavan acknowledges that he has worked on sets where he didn’t feel like he put in enough effort, which left him perplexed when those projects were a success.
Image Source: The Indian Express
The actor first became well-known for his role in Mani Ratnam’s romantic drama “Alaipayuthey” in Tamil. He then established himself in the Hindi film industry with the iconic film “Rehna Hai Terre Dil Mein.” Madhavan has managed the difficulty of juggling his film career in two languages throughout his career, frequently running into situations that remind him of himself. “I do films in two languages, so there are a lot of chances that I will look at something and feel I have done it before,” Madhavan says.
Madhavan reflects on career, challenges, and “The Railway Men”
Looking back on his many years in the business, Madhavan says that when actors show up on set, they frequently have an idea of the direction a project will go. He talks about times when he’s prepared to give it his all, but something doesn’t work out, so he feels like he’s just doing the job and getting paid. He claims that at this point in his career, in particular, this realization can be depressing.
When working on projects where he feels like he’s repeating himself and not giving it his all, Madhavan admits that it can be difficult. He talks about how hard it is to accept that even though he isn’t excited about a project, it might still work out. This success may lead to misunderstandings about acceptable and inappropriate artistic choices. Despite these encounters, Madhavan stresses that he will not accept a project if he feels he is repeating himself or sleepwalking through it.
In his most recent endeavor, Madhavan can be seen in “The Railway Men,” a drama thriller that debuted on Netflix and features Yash Raj Films. The show explores the little-known history of the Bhopal gas disaster in 1984 and highlights the courageous railroad employees who put their lives in danger to save others. Madhavan initially thought the project would follow YRF’s trademark formula of epic romantic dramas set in gorgeous settings with exquisite costumes. He was taken aback to learn that it was a Netflix series of a different genre, though.
Madhavan embraces “The Railway Men,” values impactful roles in career
Madhavan was fascinated to learn about the series’ intricacies and the substantial amount of research that went into it. He didn’t want to miss the opportunity to be a part of what he thought would be historically significant, even though he had anticipated a different kind of project. As an actor, Madhavan says he strives to uphold the reputation of his work and selects roles he thinks will leave a lasting impression. He was drawn to “The Railway Men” because it matched his vision for significant and worthwhile projects.
Under the direction of Shiv Rawail, “The Railway Men” also stars Divyendu Sharma and Kay Kay Menon, with Juhi Chawla and Mandira Bedi making cameo appearances. Madhavan’s choice to participate in this series, in spite of early reservations, is indicative of his dedication to choosing work according to merit and possible influence.
R. Madhavan’s career in the film industry has essentially been characterized by his commitment to selecting roles that, even if they require straying from the intended course, speak to him more deeply. His candor regarding the difficulties he encounters—such as times when he feels cut off from a project—adds a level of realness to his viewpoint as an actor negotiating the ever-changing film industry.
