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R. Madhavan’s Most Iconic Roles: From Romantic Hero to Power-Packed Performances

ETimes.in | Last updated on - Jul 9, 2025, 06:33 IST
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​R. Madhavan’s Most Iconic Roles: From Romantic Hero to Power-Packed Performances

Before making his big screen debut in the Mani Ratnam-directed Tamil film 'Alaipayuthey' (2000), Madhavan had been performing in Hindi TV serials since the late 1990s. 'Rehnaa Hai Tere Dil Mein' (2001), a remake of his own Tamil hit 'Minnale,' was released that same year and marked his Hindi film debut. Over the years, he has established a solid career in both the Hindi and South Indian film industries, earning a reputation as an actor who always gives his all in every role. We've compiled a list of movies that feature some of his greatest performances over the years.

2/6

​‘Tanu Weds Manu Returns’

Tanu Weds Manu's sequel, which stars R Madhavan and Kangana Ranaut, is equally as iconic as the original movie. Tanu and Manu's relationship is still struggling because of their divergent personalities and interests. It is a romantic comedy that is just as entertaining and carries on the plot from the first movie. Aanand L. Rai, the director of popular films like 'Raanjhanaa,' is also the one behind it.



3/6

​‘Shaitaan’

In this horror drama, R. Madhavan plays a villain, which is another of his most memorable roles. The movie centers on Ajay Devgn and his family as they run into Madhavan's character at a dhaba. It appears innocent when he gives Devgn's daughter something sweet, but later in the evening, when their daughter becomes possessed, the situation becomes real. Madhavan plays a brand-new, distinctive role in the horror movie. He even succeeded in receiving a great deal of praise for his performance.

4/6

​‘3 idiots’

The film, which is a review of our higher education system, resonated with a wide audience and is still one of those timeless movies you enjoy seeing every time it is repeated. Three friends, Farhan Qureshi (Madhavan), Raju Rastogi (Sharman Joshi), and Rancho (Aamir Khan), are enrolled in the same engineering school in Delhi. During their time in college, the three have a series of mishaps. Both Farhan and Raju look for new ways to live their lives after being inspired by Rancho. Together with Chatur, they set out on an exploration to find out what became of Rancho, who seemed to vanish from their lives.

5/6

​‘Rang De Basanti’

Madhavan has a small but important part in the movie. Sonia's (Soha Ali Khan) fiancé, Ajay Singh Rathod (Madhavan), a flight lieutenant in the Indian Air Force, is killed when his MiG-21 jet crashes. The government closes the case after blaming pilot error. With the support Rajnath Singhania (Anupam Kher), his friends Daljit Singh (Aamir Khan), Karan Singhania (Siddharth Narayan), Aslam Khan (Kunal Kapoor), and Sukhi Ram (Sharman Joshi) begin their own investigation and discover that the plane crashed because the corrupt defense minister Shastri (Mohan Agashe) purchased cheap spare parts. Together with another friend, Laxman Pandey (Atul Kulkarni), they resolve to become vigilantes to exact revenge for the death.

6/6

​‘Kesari Chapter 2’

One of the actor's most recent movies, 'Kesari 2,' has received a lot of support and appreciation from online users. The film, which is based on the 1919 Jallianwala Bagh story, stars Akshay Kumar, Madhavan and Ananya Panday. It delves into the tale of lawyer C. Sankaran Nair and his legal battle against the British Empire during the massacre that took place.

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Copyright © May 28, 2026, 08.56AM IST Bennett, Coleman & Co. Ltd. All rights reserved. For reprint rights: Times Syndication Service