Daijiworld Media Network - Mumbai

Mumbai, Feb 3: Actor R Madhavan, who is currently riding high on the success of his recent projects, has revealed that he once stepped away from acting for nearly four years after becoming deeply disillusioned with the kind of roles he was being offered.

Recalling the phase that led him to take a sabbatical in 2011, Madhavan said he felt creatively unfulfilled and disconnected from his work. Speaking to Unfiltered Entertainment, the actor narrated an incident while shooting a Tamil song in Switzerland that proved to be a turning point. He described noticing a local farmer watching the film crew with visible disdain, a moment that made him question what he was doing with his craft.

Madhavan said the realisation hit him hard when he understood that he was merely “dancing to other people’s tunes” and not reflecting his real abilities on screen. He felt that in his attempt to woo audiences and chase superstardom, he had lost touch with authenticity. “I know how to speak in public, handle a gun, fly remote planes, ride horses, but none of it was being shown in my films,” he said.

Following this introspection, the actor decided to step away from films and even advertisements. During the break, he travelled extensively across Chennai and other parts of India, interacted with everyday people such as auto-rickshaw drivers, and tried to understand their concerns and realities. He said those four years helped him gain insights that continue to shape his career even today.

Madhavan returned to the big screen in 2016 with Saala Khadoos, marking a conscious shift in the kind of roles he chose thereafter. He later made a successful directorial debut with Rocketry: The Nambi Effect in 2022, which earned him the National Award.

This year, the actor was also honoured with the prestigious Padma Shri on the eve of Republic Day, further cementing his position as one of Indian cinema’s most respected performers.