‘I’M NOT A GUY KNOWN FOR HIS FASHION SENSE’

R Madhavan says he prefers to be known for his work and believes this approach has served him well over the course of his career

After 2020, this year again seems to be a busy year for R Madhavan. Two of his films, one each in Telugu and Tamil, released directly on OTT in 2020, and Maara was the latest addition this year.

Recently, he was in the Capital, shooting for his next web project. The actor tells us, “I was shooting an original series for two months. I was apprehensive as 250 families are connected with this project, their livelihood is connected, I feel responsible. I didn’t step out of my room even once, and we finished 95% of the shoot. As artists everybody took responsibility, and never took anything for granted.”

Clearly, the web features big on his action plan. In fact, the show Breathe which he headlined was the first original web show from India, way back in 2018.

“I always knew the potential of OTT and I was definitely a pioneer who jumped into it. I think because of the Covid situation, it has become much larger than we ever expected. Many platforms are cropping up, and thankfully have become revenue earners not

Rocketry The Nambi Effect has been all consuming, and I’m hoping it’s worth the wait. I can’t wait to show it to the world. R MADHAVAN, Actor

just for actors but everyone involved in the industry — technicians, junior artists, etc. Unfortunately categories like dancers are still not much in demand,” says Madhavan.

The 50-year-old hasn’t been seen in a full-fledged role in Hindi films, in over five years now. What’s keeping him away? “Rocketry: The Nambi Effect, my trilingual film has consumed my entire time from Saala Khadoos till now. I did Breathe in between, and Vikram Vedha apart from that. Rocketry has been all consuming, and I’m hoping it’s worth the wait. I can’t wait to show it to the world,” he gushes.

Madhavan, unless a project is nearing a release, is nowhere to be seen, and practically vanishes. Social media updates, too, aren’t frequent.

He says he has never been otherwise. “I have never been the kind of guy known for my fashion sense or being in news for unqualified remarks that I make. So I prefer to be known for my work. I guess it’s served me well in terms of respect and I am happy with the positioning that it has got me,” he quips.