New Delhi: Having dabbled in various industries – Tamil, Malayalam, Kannada and Hindi films – actor R Madhavan has managed to wriggle out of his image as a 'chocolate boy'.
Between ‘Tanu Weds Manu’, that made him look incredible and the ‘darling type aadmi’ as Kangana Ranaut called him in the film, and its sequel, Madhavan worked in ‘Vettai’ and ‘Jodi Breakers’. But nothing has created as much buzz as ‘Tanu Weds Manu Returns’.
In the city to promote the fun and feisty film, that releases this Friday, Maddy speaks exclusively to IBNLive.com about his courtship period, wedding to Sarita, why it is just so difficult to understand girls and of course, his co-star Kangana Ranaut.
Kangana Ranaut’s role in ‘Tanu Weds Manu Returns’ is difficult: For an actor to know who he is in the film and to be completely immersed in the role is very important. The audience is very astute, smart and they will never forgive you if you don’t do justice to a film. This is also why Kangana’s role in ‘Tanu Weds Manu Returns’ is so difficult. I mean, it is farcical to have a double role and still keep it real. While selecting my films, I look at two things while selecting a film – the manner in which story is told (it is has to be relatable) and the team I get to work with. I want to be part of films which audiences should be able to watch. There is no point doing ‘Mughal-e-Azam’ when you know nobody will watch it. People will say, 'Yeh Madrasi kya kar raha hai Mughal-e-Azam mei'. What’s equally important is to find the ability of the team to see the film to be made in the same way. This is very difficult because when the film is being made, it pulls people in different directions. If I speak to the cameraperson about the background score without understanding the spirit of the film – it just won’t work. So consolidated team efforts is important for a film to do well.
Women are better than men at handling life: There is no marriage in which the couple hasn’t fought and said things like ‘We’ve had enough’, ‘Let us just shut this off’, ‘Let us think about our marriage’, ‘I’m going to my mother’s place’. So yes, fights and disagreements do happen. And there is a moment in a man’s life when he realizes ‘I’m not a college hero any more’ and ‘Mai ghar ka bhi hero nahi raha’. Gradually, the kids also begin to take mom’s side. Man, who wants to be the provider, feels nothing can happen without happen. So at 40, he can either manifest his power by trying to woo younger girls or he graciously settles for being number 2 in the house. According to me, the second option happens in majority of the cases. If you look at old aged couples – women are always in command. They take charge of it. It is quite clearly a matriarchal family. The woman will be seen saying ‘Yehi baethe raho’ ‘Khana khao’. And she is the one taking charge of everything. So we have to respect women for what they do.
Have huge respect for Anand L Rai: Anand and I getting to do the film’s sequel was more like old friends getting back after a long time. I was very jealous that Anand didn’t speak to me for a year when he did ‘Raanjhanaa’ because he must have thought 'Mere ko nahi liya'. I think that will happen to any actor. When Rajkumar Hirani did ‘PK’, I was like ‘Mujhe nahi liya’. I think that’s a healthy thing too. But you also have huge respect for a man like Anand who wouldn’t cast you just because you are a family friend. And that’s what makes him so special. When he called me back for ‘Tanu Weds Manu Returns’, rumours surfaced about how he was choosing another actor. Eventually, after my sabbatical of three years, which was a good retreat, I met Anand and it was a lot like two friends meeting after a long time. We started shooting October last year and we are releasing the film in May, which is unheard of.
I’m unpredictable, finicky, fickle-minded, but have the ability to adapt to situations. I met wife Sarita in 1991, after seeing each other for eight years, we got married in 1999. Honestly speaking, my wife is a straight-forward critic. She won’t look at a film and say that it is good just because her husband has done it. Instead, she will be analytical about it. This is something I really respect about her. She has been a great yardstick for me. If that's my professional life, as an individual I’m unpredictable, finicky, fickle-minded, but have the ability to adapt to situations.
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