Reflecting upon the captivating journey of R Madhavan in the realm of Indian cinema, one cannot help but marvel at his versatility and dedication. From portraying the heartwarming tale of Kannathil Muthamittal to embracing the intriguing moral complexities of Vikram Vedha, he has graced us with an array of unforgettable performances.
Over the past quarter-century, I’ve been utterly captivated by the cinematic journey of R. Madhavan, a man whose talent has made him an unforgettable presence in our homes. Starting with his debut in the 1997 English film Inferno, this remarkable actor has etched an indelible mark on Indian cinema for over two decades now. Here are my top 7 must-see films from this Shaitaan’s incredible filmography that every fan should watch at least once.
Bear in mind that this list only delves into the actor’s South Indian films, and thus does not mention R. Madhavan’s excellent Hindi ventures, including the likes of Rang De Basanti and 3 Idiots.
Top 7 Best films of R Madhavan
1. Alai Payuthey (2000)
- Director: Mani Ratnam
- Star Cast: R Madhavan, Shalini, Jayasudha, Vivek, KPAC Lalitha, Swarnamalya
- Where to watch: Amazon Prime Video
A fantastic option to kick off this collection would be Mani Ratnam’s 2000 romantic musical, Alai Payuthey. This film, marking R. Madhavan’s Tamil debut, focuses on the love story between his character and Shalini’s. Their relationship significantly boosted Madhavan’s popularity, earning him the title of a heartthrob in the Tamil film industry, often referred to as Kollywood.
From its premiere onwards, Alai Payuthey was a huge success. This movie explores the strains of married life for a young couple who run away together, and it carries a philosophical message that contrasts traditional values with contemporary ones. Without a doubt, Alai Payuthey is essential viewing when discussing R. Madhavan’s film career.
2. Minnale (2001)
- Director: Gautham Vasudev Menon
- Star Cast: R. Madhavan, Abbas, Reema Sen, Nagesh, Vivek, Kitty
- Where to watch: YouTube
Moving forward with love-themed movies, in the year 2001, R. Madhavan took on the main character in Gautham Vasudev Menon’s first directorial effort, entitled Minnale. This movie centers around a man smitten by love who resorts to assuming a fake identity to win over the girl he adores. Unfortunately, his secret is exposed prematurely, causing complications. The ensuing events make up the core of the narrative.
Just like Alai Payuthee, this movie was an instant hit upon its release, garnering massive success. Besides Gautham Menon, it was also Harris Jayaraj’s debut as a music composer in the industry, who later gained immense popularity and became highly demanded. Interestingly, Minnale was remade in Hindi in 2001 under the title Rehnaa Hai Tera Dil Mein, featuring R Madhavan as the lead actor.
3. Kannathil Muthamittal (2002)
- Director: Mani Ratnam
- Star Cast: R Madhavan, Simran, Prakash Raj, Nandita Das, Pasupathy
- Where to watch: Disney+ Hotstar
In his second project with director Mani Ratnam, Madhavan (often referred to as Maddy) starred as the main character in the critically acclaimed musical war film “Kannathil Muthamittal,” released in 2002. The movie narrates the tale of a young Sri Lankan Tamil girl who was raised by Indian parents, longing to reunite with her birth mother amidst the ongoing Sri Lankan Civil War.
The movie received universal praise and accumulated numerous National and International awards, including Kannathil Muthamittal, which is recognized as one of Mani Ratnam and R. Madhavan’s finest works to date. Additionally, this film, along with Anbe Sivam and Run, marked Maddy’s first Tamil Nadu State Film Award win.
4. Anbe Sivam (2003)
- Director: Sundar C
- Star Cast: R Madhavan, Kamal Haasan, Nassar, Kiran Rathod, Seema
- Where to watch: Amazon Prime Video
In 2003, R Madhavan and Kamal Haasan joined forces for the slice-of-life drama “Anbe Sivam,” directed by Sundar C. This film follows the lives of Nallasivam and Anbarasu, two individuals with starkly different personalities, who cross paths unexpectedly on a journey from Bhubaneswar to Chennai.
The movie was penned by Kamal Haasan, exploring themes such as communism, atheism, and altruism. Despite not being a commercial success, it garnered considerable praise from critics and has since become a cult favorite for the past twenty years. Alongside Kannathil Muthamittal and Run, Anbe Sivam helped Maddy receive his inaugural Tamil Nadu State Film Award.
5. Irudhi Suttru (2016)
- Director: Sudha Kongara
- Star Cast: R Madhavan, Ritika Singh, Mumtaz Sorcar, Nassar, Radha Ravi
- Where to watch: SonyLIV
Up next on our list is the 2016 sports drama movie “Irudhi Suttru,” directed by Sudha Kongara. The film narrates the story of a coach, portrayed by Madhavan, who chooses to mentor an inexperienced boxer to fulfill his dream, after facing rejection from the Boxing Association.
In addition to its original version, the movie was concurrently debuted as “Saala Khadoos” in Hindi. The Tamil-language film, known as “Irudhi Suttru,” received praise from both fans and critics. Furthermore, R. Madhavan was honored with the Tamil Nadu State Award for Best Actor for his exceptional performance within this movie.
6. Vikram Vedha (2017)
- Director: Pushkar & Gayathri
- Star Cast: R Madhavan, Vijay Sethupathi, Shraddha Srinath, Prem Kumar, Hareesh Peradi, Vivek Prasanna
- Where to watch: Zee5
As a lifestyle expert, I’d say: In the world of cinematic art, I’ve had the pleasure of experiencing some truly remarkable films. One that stands out is the neo-noir gangster action thriller, Vikram Vedha, which has left an indelible mark on Tamil cinema in the past decade. This captivating tale, derived from the ancient folktale of Vikram and Betala, boasts the stellar performances of R. Madhavan and Vijay Sethupathi in the title roles.
In the storyline of Maddy’s creation, Officer Vikram is a dedicated and truthful law enforcer with a mission to apprehend criminal mastermind Vedha. However, Vedha submits himself to arrest, and instead of violence, he narrates three tales to Vikram that challenge his perception of righteousness and wickedness. The narrative unfolds in a realm of moral complexity, suggesting that morality is subjective and depends on one’s point of view. The film Vikram Vedha was reimagined in Hindi in 2022, with Saif Ali Khan and Hrithik Roshan portraying the leading roles.
7. Rocketry: The Nambi Effect (2022)
- Director: R. Madhavan
- Star Cast: R Madhavan, Simran, Ravi Raghavendra, Karthik Kumar
- Where to watch: Amazon Prime Video
2022 saw R. Madhavan stepping into direction for the first time with the biographical drama film “Rocketry: The Nambi Effect”. This movie is inspired by the life of aerospace scientist Nambi Narayanan and portrays various aspects of his life, including his time at Princeton University, his scientific endeavors, and the unjust espionage allegations that were leveled against him.
The movie received both critical and financial success, earning appreciation for R. Madhavan’s acting and directing skills from the viewers. Moreover, it was honored with the title of Best Feature Film at the National Film Awards in 2023.
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2024-08-08 10:53