Maddy Magic

By: Arya Aiyappan

Many a heart send aflutter! Dimple cheeks, cheery smile, innocent guise, boyish charm, the chocolate hero of the young and the old alike. "Live life to the fullest and relish every moment of our existence." Maddy savours every jiffy, so does the audience who live through his films. Romance, charisma, style, simplicity, searing spirit ...are all in a package deal, 'Maddy'.

R.Madhavan aka Maddy was born on 1st June 1970 to the Tamil couple Ranganathan and Saroja. At the tender age of 18, Madhavan was destined to represent the nation as its cultural ambassador to Canada after his graduation. The adventurous spirit in him goaded him to strive further when as an NCC cadet winning the "Maharashtra Best Cadet" enabled him to make another trip to England. He received his training with the Royal Army, Navy and the Air Force. To mint his fortune Madhavan initiated a ten-day crash course on Public Speaking course. This not only proved to be an instant hit but also played Cupid for him and his beloved Sarita. Lady Luck smiled and his small stint at the small screen gave him recognition in the long run and paved way for his entry to the celluloid world. Ashley in "Banegi Apni Baat", captain in "Sea Hawks", convict in Yeh Kahan Aa Gaye Hum, anchor in "Tol Mol" and the roles in "Saaya" and "A Mouthful Of Sky" are still remembered to-date.

Mani Ratnam's Alaipayuthe Madhavan's debut shot him to instant fame and stardom wherein he gave life to the character of a man whose love marriage meets with several problems. Madhavan-Shalini pair gained wide critical acclaim and the film was a major success. Madhavan has portrayed a variety of roles in different genres from romance (Minnale, Priyamana Thozhi), drama (Kannathil Muthamittal), comedy (Nala Damayanti) to action (Run).

Of late he has diversified his attention by acting in Hindi, Bengali and Malayalam films. Maddy made his first appearance as a hero in Hindi movies through Rehna Hai Terre Dil Mein, the Hindi remake of Minnale. Madhavan's recent movie Rang De Basanti has gained much audience' applause. With utmost ease he slips into each and every role even if it may be as a prominent regional Indian film actor, a game show host for Sony's "Deal Ya No Deal", a mobile game character or an active PETA campaigner.

Inspite of his busy schedules Maddy is truly a family man for whom family reigns supreme. Madhavan married Sarita Krishnan, a former airhostess after 3 years of courtship and they have a son Vedaant. His younger sister, Devika is an aspiring model and actress. A saga of hits Dum Dum Dum, Kannathil Muthamittal, Run, Anbae Sivam, Aayitha Ezhuthu etc, to his name has placed him at a comfortable position as an actor of considerable calibre. His forthcoming movies Guru, Rendu, Arya, Sunglass, Pagalavan, Agaradhi, etc have much to offer to cater to the needs of one and all. Maddy's versatality is amply testified in his role as a writer cum actor for the film Ramji Lodonwaley.

As a down-to-earth person who relishes "Pani Poori" and "Curd Rice", cherishes a dream role (akin to the role performed by Tom Hanks in Cast Away) Madhavan is a character artist (Kannathil Muthamittal) firmly rooted in reality, "To concentrate on one film and give as realistic a performance as possible is my dream". Maddy truly is he guy next door for you.

Filmography-
1. Guru (2006/I) (post-production)
2. Rang De Basanti (2006)
3. Ramji Londonwaley (2005)
4. Priyasakhi (2005)
5. Thambi (2005)
6. Nothing But Life (2004)
7. Ayitha Ezhuthu (2004)
8. Aethiree (2004)
9. Nala Damayanthi (2003)
10. Jay Jay (2003)
11. Anbe Sivam (2003)
12. Priyamana Thozhi (2003)
13. Dil Vil Pyar Vyar (2002)
14. Kannathil Muthamittal (2002) ... aka A Peck on the Cheek (USA: literal English title) ... aka Amritha (India: Telugu title: dubbed version)
15. Laysa Laysa (2002)
16. Run (2002)
17. Dum Dum Dum (2001)
18. Rehnaa Hai Terre Dil Mein (2001)
19. Minnale (2001)
20. Ennavale (2001)
21. Paarthale Paravasam (2001) ... aka Paravasam (India: Telugu title: dubbed version)
22. Alai Payuthey (2000) ... aka Sakhi (India: Telugu title: dubbed version) ... aka Waves (International: English title)
23. Syahnam (2000)
24. Inferno (1998) ... aka Operation Cobra (International: English title) (USA: DVD title)
25. Badalte Rishte (1996) TV Series.
26. Uppu (1986) ... aka Salt (India: English title)

Writer - 1. Ramji Londonwaley (2005) (dialogue) (as R. Madhavan)

Wanna share something interesting about your favourite Celebrity...