Over the years several talented actors have successfully transitioned from television to the big screen. Be it Shah Rukh Khan who played Lt. Abhimanyu Rai in ‘Fauji’ or Vidya Balan who essayed the role of Radhika Mathur in ‘Hum Paanch’, small screen actors have time and again made a mark in the Bollywood industry.
Speaking of which, R Madhavan, who started his acting career with TV shows in the early 1990s, revealed how people tried to pull him down when he first entered the film industry. After doing a handful of TV shows, the actor had eventually worked in the south film industry before finally appearing in Hindi movies. Speaking about his journey, the ‘Rehnaa Hai Terre Dil Mein’ actor said people doubted his talent every step of the way, reports HT.
Madhavan said people tried to discourage him and put him in a box that fitted their understanding of the industry.
“Strangely, when I was doing TV in Hindi, people told me I am a television actor and I will never do movies as I am already overexposed on Hindi TV so aapko movie nahi milegi (you won’t get movies).”
Once the actor established himself in the Tamil industry, people questioned whether he could make it big in Bollywood or no.
“Then Mani Ratnam cast me in Alaipayuthey and it became a big hit and so I became a Tamil actor and then people in Bombay said ‘you know, you are a Tamil actor, that’s it. You won’t get Hindi films.’ Then I started getting Hindi films so they said ‘okay, he is a pan Indian actor but you know, you are limited’.”
The ‘3 Idiots’ actor further added,
“I feel everybody tries to put you in a mould which perhaps life put them in, they have faced these challenges but everybody’s level to understand languages, deal with pressures and most importantly, talent is different.”
In case you didn’t know, Madhavan acted in TV shows such as ‘Banegi Apni Baat’, ‘A Mouthful of Sky’, and ‘Sea Hawks’. He even won the Filmfare Award for Best Debut Male-South ‘Alaipayuthey’ in 2002. After which all of us were lucky enough to witness him create his magic in Bollywood with ‘Rehnaa Hai Terre Dil Mein‘.
In fact, he even had a virtual reunion with co-star Dia Mirza on the 19 year anniversary of the film. Madhavan said he found it overwhelming that the film still connects with audiences so effortlessly. He added,
“I know people have been dying to see us on screen. It has been over 19 years and somehow I’m still inundated with songs, scenes and dialogues from the film every day on my social media.”
Dia revealed, “We are doing our best to make it happen, but we will only work together when we can give our best. There is something so special about Reena and Maddy and I think there was an innocence and honesty we shared in RHTDM that resonates so deeply with everyone even today. We wouldn’t want to dilute that in any way.”
Let’s be honest many of us have secretly crushed on Maddy at least once in our life. We’re glad the actor never let negativity affect him and he made his way to the top of the industry! And, also our hearts.