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R. Madhavan

Acting

Born June 1, 1970 · Jamshedpur, Jharkhand, India

Also known as R. Madhavan · மாதவன் · R. Mathavan

Biography

Ranganathan Madhavan (born 1 June 1970) is an Indian actor, writer and film producer. He has been described as one of the few actors in India who is able to achieve pan-Indian appeal, appearing in films from seven different languages. Madhavan has received two Filmfare Awards, an award from the Tamil Nadu State Film Awards alongside recognition and nominations from other organisations. Madhavan began his acting career with television guest appearances, including a role on the Zee TV prime-time soap opera Banegi Apni Baat in 1996. After appearing in commercials and in small roles, he later gained recognition in the Tamil film industry through Mani Ratnam's successful romance film Alaipayuthey (2000). In addition to his acting career, Madhavan has worked as a writer on his films, hosted television programmes and has been a prominent celebrity endorser for brands and products.[5] He has also worked as a film producer, first making Evano Oruvan with Leukos Films, before setting up Tricolour Films to produce Saala Khadoos (2016). Madhavan is noted for his philanthropic activities and promotes various causes such as environment, health and education. He is particularly vocal about the protection of animals and was awarded PETA's Person of the Year recognition in 2012.

Awards & recognition

  • Filmfare Awards South

Filmography42 titles

The Railway Men: The Untold Story of Bhopal 1984

2023as Rati Pandey

3 Idiots

2009as Farhan Qureshi

Rocketry: The Nambi Effect

2022as Nambi Narayanan

Nala Damayanthi

2003as Ramji Narayanaswami Iyer

Kannathil Muthamittal

2002as Thiruchelvan

Anbe Sivam

2003as Anbarasu

Breathe

2018as Danny Mascarenhas

Irudhi Suttru

2016as Prabhu Selvaraj

Alai Payuthey

2000as Karthik Varadharajan

Dhurandhar: The Revenge

2026as Ajay Sanyal

Dhurandhar

2025as Ajay Sanyal

Vikram Vedha

2017as Vikram

Kesari Chapter 2: The Untold Story of Jallianwala Bagh

2025as Neville McKinley

Decoupled

2021as Arya Iyer

Rang De Basanti

2006as Ajay Rathod

Lesa Lesa

2003as Deva Narayanan (Guest Appearance)

Tanu Weds Manu: Returns

2015as Manoj 'Manu' Sharma

Guru

2007as Shyam Saxena

Ramji Londonwaley

2005as Ramnarayan Tiwari (Ramji)

Magalir Mattum

2017as Surendar (Cameo)

Tanu Weds Manu

2011as Manoj "Manu" Sharma

Priyamana Thozhi

2003as Ashok

Maara

2021as 'Maara' Manimaaran

The Final Table

2018as Self

De De Pyaar De 2

2025as Rakesh Khurana

Aap Jaisa Koi

2025as Shrirenu Tripathi

Putham Pudhu Kaalai

2020as Narrator (segment "Ilamai Idho Idho")

Shaitaan

2024as Vanraj Kashyap

Sikandar

2009as Lt. Col. Rajesh Rao

13B: Fear Has a New Address

2009as Manohar

Aarya

2007as Aarya

Dum Dum Dum

2001as Adhithyan

Test

2025as Saravanan

Dil Vil Pyar Vyar

2002as Krish Kumar

Savyasachi

2018as Arun Raj

Nishabdham

2020as Anthony

Zero

2018as Kartik Srinivasan

Dhokha

2022as Yathaarth Sinha

Night of the Living Dead: Darkest Dawn

2015as Tom

Halla Bol

2008as Himself (uncredited)

Teen Patti

2010as Prof. Shantanu Biswas

Rendu

2006as Sakthi / Kannan