Star in the making

Mani Ratnam's ``Alaipayuthey'' has turned the spotlight on actor Madhavan. T. KRITHIKA REDDY talks to him about his career that is all set to take off in a big way.

IF HRITHIK Roshan is hip, hot and happening in Bollywood, the same can be said of R.Madhavan in Tamil tinseldom. After a bravura delineation in ``Alaipayuthey'', life has finally come up roses for this model, television actor and wannabe star of the marquee.

In casual cargo and a white T shirt, Madhavan embodies the word cool in an interview in Chennai, a few days after the release of Mani Ratnam's ``Alaipayuthey''. Radiating an open, friendly vibe, he intones, ``It is difficult to express my joy. It is a dream break.''

Flopping comfortably in a chair in a sun-baked apartment in Adyar, he chatters nineteen to the dozen and the conversation veers to topics ranging from his tryst with television to his passion for teaching. And all through, he comes across, intelligent and unaffected.

As the cliche goes, ``acting just happened'' to this 29-year old. ``Coming from a very academic background, I graduated in Electronics in Kolhapur and developed an interest in teaching communication skills and personality development.'' The teaching assignment brought him to Mumbai, where the offer for a serial came about ``by chance. It sounded lucrative, so I accepted it despite the initial scepticism of my parents.''

Today, Madhavan is a familiar face on television, what with 45 serials and about a dozen ad commericals to his credit. ``Ghar Jamai'', ``Banegi Apni Baat'', ``Sea Hawks'', ``Badalte Rishtey'', and ``Yeh Kahan Aa Gaye Hum'' are some of the serials in which Madhavan has captured the attention of couch potatoes with his charm and spontaneity.

It was while shooting for the Ponds sandal talc ad that Santhosh Sivan suggested that Madhavan meet Mani Ratnam, the director with a Midas touch. Photographs exchanged hands and screen tests were done, but projects did not come through. Two other films ( ``Shanti, Shanti, Shanti'' with Abbas and ``Akeli'' with Vinod Pandey) came unstuck. False starts and failures did not let frustration creep in though. Sure enough, the big break came with ``Alaipayuthey''. ``Mani Ratnam is a perfectionist and a rare technician. I have been extremely lucky to work with him and cinematographer P.C.Sriram. The shooting for the film was a learning experience.''

Crackling with energy, Madhavan adds, ``Television is a good training ground for aspiring stars. You can experiment and get away, imbibing the positive and viable aspects. Whereas, in cinema, the stakes are high. If something goes wrong, the film falls flat.''

Does the high expectation after the film's release scare him? Sure, he is flattered by the attention. But is also a tad wary. ``It is unfair to have so much expectation. I am still a fresher in showville, '' he pleads.

On the good and bad of recognition, Madhavan explains,``The bottom line is one's performance. Acting is like any other profession. I do not think stars need to have any hang-ups in public. I do not like to be treated like someone special - and this I say, because I am normal, and not because I want to sound humble.''

Being good at both Hindi and Tamil, does Madhavan hope to bridge the North-South dichotomy. ``Oh yes. I am at an advantage. I hope offers will come from both sides of the Vindhyas.''

As a performer, Madhavan places sincerity over all other considerations. ``I sincerely enjoy what I do and my commitment is total. I would prefer to work for directors who give me the script and written screenplay at the outset. Story-telling sessions unnerve me. Having done an off-beat romance, I will certainly hop out of hackneyed plots. I prefer feel-good films sans heavy social messages for now.''

Where does he go from here? Madhavan has already signed on the dotted line for Kavithalaya and Gautham Menon's forthcoming films. The latter is a kind of experiment in terms of cost and time, says the young actor who has picked up strands of the logistics of film making. ``One thing is certain. I will take up only one venture at a time. I do not like any conflict in the characters I portray,'' adds the tall actor with mocca- coloured skin.

About his recent marriage to Saritha, he discloses that the two had loved each other for eight years. ``I disagree with friends who suggest that I refrain from revealing my marital status. Why shouldn't I? If I do so, I will be hurting someone who is so dear to me,'' says the actor, whose passions include basketball and teaching and working on the computer. ``Marital status is not going to affect one's prospects or fan following, for ultimately, talent will prevail. Take Aamir Khan or Shah Rukh Khan for instance. Actors are mere dream sellers. They cannot become everyone's lover.''

Riding on the crest of a popular wave after ``Alaipayuthey'', Madhavan seems to be fortune's favourite for now. Whether he will rise to the level of a silver screen idol, the way some television personalities have, only time will tell.

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