Why Madhavan chose characters over stardom like Vijay, Ajith: ‘Kamal Haasan taught me…’

In a recent interview, actor R Madhavan revealed that he consciously chose character-centric roles over stardom-driven projects to avoid competition with Tamil cinema's leading men Vijay and Ajith Kumar. The actor admitted that he did not possess the same talent as his contemporaries and opted instead to build his career by immersing himself in complex characters.

Madhavan recounted that initial warnings to steer clear of working with veteran actor Kamal Haasan were disregarded, leading to a transformative experience on the sets of Anbe Sivam. The film allowed him to collaborate closely with Haasan, exchanging feedback after rehearsals and fostering a relationship uncommon in Indian cinema.

This unique dynamic proved enlightening for Madhavan, who likened working with Haasan to receiving an education from a cinematic "university." The experience ultimately shaped his career, setting him apart from the typical star-driven trajectory seen in the industry.