Madhavan is an Indian actor, writer and film producer. Madhavan has received two Filmfare Awards, an award from the Tamil Nadu State Film Awards alongside recognition and nominations from other organisations. 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 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.
Madhavan was born to a Tamil family. His father Ranganathan was a management executive in Tata Steel and his mother, Saroja was a manager in the Bank of India. His younger sister, Devika, is a software engineer settled in the United Kingdom.[6] He had a Tamil-speaking upbringing in Bihar.
Kesari Chapter 2: The Untold Story of Jallianwala Bagh
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2025
Test
Saravanan
2025
Shaitaan
Vanraj Kashyap
2024
Dhokha: Round D Corner
Yathaarth Sinha
2022
Jodi Breakers
Sid
2012
Vettai
Thiru Murthy
2012
Big in Bollywood
Himself
2011
Tanu Weds Manu
Manoj "Manu" Sharma
2011
Teen Patti
Prof. Shantanu Biswas
2010
3 Idiots
Farhan Qureshi
2009
Guru En Aalu
Guru
2009
Yavarum Nalam
Manohar
2009
Mumbai Meri Jaan
Nikhil Agarwal
2008
Guru
Shyam Saxena
2007
Rang De Basanti
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2006
Adhirshtasaali
SSMB29
2027
Dhurandhar
2025
De De Pyaar De 2
2025
Aap Jaisa Koi
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2025
Hisaab Barabar
Radhe Mohan Sharma
2024
The Railway Men - The Untold Story of Bhopal 1984
Rati Pandey · (4 episodes)
2023
Amriki Pandit
Purab
2022
Rocketry: The Nambi Effect
Nambi Narayanan
2022
Decoupled
Arya Iyer · (8 episodes)
2021
Maara
'Maara' Manimaaran
2021
Putham Pudhu Kaalai
Narrator (segment "Ilamai Idho Idho")
2020
Nishabdham
Anthony
2020
Zero
Kartik Srinivasan
2018
The Final Table
Self · (1 episode)
2018
Savyasachi
Arun Raj
2018
Mega Icons
Self - Host · (5 episodes)
2018
Breathe
Danny Mascarenhas · (8 episodes)
2018
Magalir Mattum
Surendar (Cameo)
2017
Vikram Vedha
Vikram
2017
Irudhi Suttru
Prabhu Selvaraj
2016
Night of the Living Dead: Darkest Dawn
Tom
2015
Tanu Weds Manu: Returns
Manoj 'Manu' Sharma
2015
Sunglass
2013
Manmadhan Ambu
Madanagopal
2010
Om Shanti
RJ Maddy (extended cameo)
2010
Sikandar
Lt. Col. Rajesh Rao
2009
Vaazhthugal
T. Kadhiravan
2008
Halla Bol
Himself (uncredited)
2008
Evano Oruvan
Sridhar Vasudevan
2007
Aarya
Aarya
2007
Delhii Heights
2007
Rendu
Sakthi / Kannan
2006
Thambi
Thambi Velu Thondaiman
2006
Ramji Londonwaley
Ramnarayan Tiwari (Ramji)
2005
Kettavarellam Padalam
2005
Made in USA
Roby Thomas
2005
Priyasakhi
Sandhana Krishnan (Sakhi)
2005
Nothing but Life
Roby Thomas
2004
Aayitha Ezhuthu
Inbasekaran
2004
Aethiree
Subramani aka 'Bottle' Mani
2004
Jay Jay
Jagan
2003
Priyamaana Thozhi
Ashok
2003
Nala Damayanthi
Ramji Narayanaswami Iyer
2003
Lesa Lesa
Deva Narayanan (Guest Appearance)
2003
Anbe Sivam
Anbarasu
2003
Dil Vil Pyar Vyar
Krish Kumar
2002
Run
Siva
2002
Kannathil Muthamittal
Thiruchelvan
2002
Paarthale Paravasam
Dr. Madhava
2001
Rehnaa Hai Terre Dil Mein
Madhav "Maddy" Shastri
2001
Dum Dum Dum
Adhithyan
2001
Minnale
Rajesh Shivakumar
2001
Ennavale
James Vasanthan
2000
Alaipayuthey
Karthik Varadharajan
2000
Saaya
Shekhar · (130 episodes)
1998
Operation Cobra
Inspector Ravi
1997
Is Raat Ki Subah Nahin
Singer in Club (Uncredited Role)
1996
Kangana Madhavan's Next
G.D.N
GD Naidu
Shaitaan 2
Ghar Jamai
(1 episode)
1997
Banegi Apni Baat
Ashley · (14 episodes)
1993