MADHAVAN R interview

<a id="logo" href="http://www.moviecrow.com/tamil">Movie Crow</a>

<div id="main">After bagging all the awards and box-office success with IrudhiSuttru, Madhavan is back as encounter specialist Vikram in 'Vikram Vedha', slated to release on July 21. In this chat with Kaushik LM for Moviecrow, Maddy gets talking about his years in the industry, his career graph, dealing with fans and more, You came into films in the late 90s. Now, after almost 20 years in the field, how do you see the way the industry has evolved? "There has been a quantum leap in all aspects. People who didn't understand and keep pace with the changes are not here today. They've paid the price! Given the fast evolution in processes, we have to stay ahead of the curve. And, we should never think that we've got it all figured out." Be it IrudhiSuttru'sSudhaKongara or Vikram Vedha'sPushkar - Gayathri, they were directors without a proven commercial value when they approached you. While picking scripts from directors, you don't factor their prior box-office track record? "All my big blockbusters have been given by new directors; people without a prior commercial success. Be it GauthamMenon or Vikram Kumar or Seeman or SudhaKongara, they were all dying, famished for success and completely passionate about creating good content. They had immense potential. I wasn't stupid enough to say no to them just because of their prior track record. To go for Gautham (Minnale) after Mani sir was a ballsy decision. I am richer for it." So, your instinct plays a big role while picking scripts? "My instinct does play a part; to look at the story independent of other factors like box-office track record. It'll be sheer stupidity to think about commercial factors while listening to a story." Women still drool over your looks (your recent Instagram picture being a case in point). Like our leading heroines, do you also feel the pressure to maintain your desirability quotient? 
"It's not just about my looks; it's about my personality, my public speeches, the causes that I support and more. I've to be an aspirational brand and my audience should feel that they can reach me with some effort. All our biggest stars like SRK or Rajini sir are not extraordinary 'Adonis' looking people. They are within reach but cannot be reached, that's the magic! And yes, there is pressure." 
Your recent films feature you as an anti-hero who smokes, drinks and uses cuss words on screen. How important is social responsibility of cinema, given the large percentage of impressionable youth viewing it? 
"I keep social responsibility in mind when it comes to the causes that I support, not in the films that I do. When you are negatively bent of mind, you don't need any examples in cinema and art. And anyway, everything is already happening in society. We aren't showing anything new." You are someone who started off in the TV medium and branched over to cinema. How do you look at big stars like Kamal and Jr. NTR trying TV now? 

"The medium is changing. Kevin Spacey has made more money with his TV series 'House of Cards' than probably all his films put together. He plays the biggest villain in the world. These are flawed characters but real. In the real world, no one is like Lord Rama; people can't relate to such characters. One needs to explore new mediums, stay in touch with the times and be accepted by the new emerging audience." You seem to be very cordial and welcoming of fans who crave for a ‘selfie’ moment with you. Such qualities are hard to find in every star. 
"This quality stems from being a fan myself. A star may pose for photos about 150 timeseveryday, but it's a very important moment for the fan and you have to respect that. Fans make stars and I'm completely aware of the emotions behind a person asking me for a picture or a 'selfie'. I still don't have the guts to ask for a 'selfie' with Amitabh sir or Kamal sir or Aamir or SRK. I'm still a colossal fan of so many people." 
You've shared the screen space with Aamir Khan in films like 'Rang De Basanti' and '3 Idiots'. What's your take on his'Dangal' grossing more than 2000 CR worldwide? 
"He is very selective and surgical about his films. Like me, he is also limited in the quantity of films he does (laughs). I'm more impressed with 'Baahubali 2', which has beaten the crap out of everyone. Without a release in China and many overseas markets, it has still done close to 2000 CR." 
Looking back, after the big success of films like 'Minnale' and 'Run', you were also a prominent player in the mass commercial game alongside Vijay, Ajith, Vikram and Suriya. Now, you are on a totally different track compared to those four. Do you ever miss being a mass hero? 
"I'm in the most amazing position of my life now and I have no regrets. That said, I also want to earn 20 CR per film (laughs). But, I really feel odd when people address me as 'Thalaivaa'. I'm not a 'Thalaivaa' brother and I really don't enjoy that pressure. I want to be considered a family man and a friend. I'm not just the regular commercial star and the audience can actually recall many of my films fondly. I think I'll get a Lifetime Achievement Award someday (laughs)." What next after 'Vikram Vedha'? Will you be doing the 'Charlie' remake? "It's not an easy decision to make. Firstly, my prediction about Vikram Vedha has to be proven right. I wish I had the guts to line up a slew of films but I'm just very careful about my picks. Coming to the 'Charlie' remake, the script wasn't up to the levels to be a better film than the original. Also, it won't be an appropriate film at this time." 
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