Interview! R Madhavan: Makers never imagined me as an alpha male with a six pack

In an industry driven by vanity and youth, R Madhavan stands out for his honesty and quiet confidence. Whether it’s embracing his salt-and-pepper hair, stepping away from gym-culture aesthetics, or choosing roles that defy the norm, Madhavan remains unapologetically himself. In this candid conversation, he opens up about ageing gracefully, the joy of playing unexpected characters, and finding love in life’s simplest moments.

‘Ab safed baal aa gaye toh aa gaye. I have never dyed my hair, unless it is required for a role’

Madhavan, who is often referred to as Maddy by industry folks and fans, remains refreshingly real, sporting his grey strands with grace. “I am not good at carrying baggage, nor am I good at carrying lies. Ab safed baal aa gaye toh aa gaye. I have never dyed my hair, unless it is required for a role. I have learnt that from Rajinikanth sir. He doesn’t care about how he looks off screen, but on-screen, he is magic. Just like my friend Ajith (Kumar). I’ve learnt from my peers and seniors that it really doesn’t matter what your off-screen image is. I am very comfortable in my shoes, so I’m not going to project that I’m younger than anybody. I’m not competing with someone who’s younger than me. I’m competing with my own ability and my ability to bring out the best in me. There’s an acceptance of who I am.”


‘Makers probably never imagined me in an alpha male role with a six pack’
While actors across age groups are seen flaunting chiselled abs, Madhavan isn’t one who hits the gym and posts workout images on social media. “I did build up a certain kind of body for Saala Khadoos (2016), where I played a boxing coach, because it was required. If a script demands, I’m ready to do what it takes,” he says. So, has he ever lost out on roles for not fitting the “alpha male” mould? “I wouldn’t know because probably such roles wouldn’t have come to me. They wouldn’t have probably imagined me playing an alpha male part with a six-pack. But I have done roles in movies where they didn’t expect me to say ‘yes’ and I have said yes and it has worked for me,” he adds.



‘One of my best emotions is when my wife and I hold hands and walk quietly’
Work aside, Madhavan’s personal life remains rooted. He’s been married to Sarita since 1999, years before he shot to fame. They met when he was teaching public speaking and she was one of his students. He shares, “We have our own set of challenges. But I think the respect and love that one has for each other helps you redefine love as you go along. Like, once your child is born, it’s a different sort of love. Once the child becomes a teenager, it’s a different sort of love. Twenty-five years does seem like a long time, and the relationship has gone through multiple metamorphoses. But even now, one of the best emotions for me is when we hold hands and walk quietly.”


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