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R.Madhavan Biography: Early Life, Career, Net Worth, Upcoming Movie

R. Madhavan, also known as Madhavan or Maddy, is an Indian film actor, writer, producer, and television host. He has twice received the Filmfare Award in Hindi cinema and the Tamil Nadu State Awards.

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Madhavan Wiki

CategoryDetails
Full NameRanganathan Madhavan
Screen NameR. Madhavan (nicknamed “Maddy”)
Date of BirthJune 1, 1970
Place of BirthJamshedpur, Bihar (now Jharkhand), India
Age54 years (as of March 18, 2025)
NationalityIndian
EthnicityTamil Brahmin
FamilyFather: Ranganathan Iyengar (Tata Steel executive); Mother: Saroja (Bank of India manager); Sister: Devika (software engineer)
Marital StatusMarried
WifeSarita Birje (married 1999)
ChildrenSon: Vedaant (born August 21, 2005; swimmer)
EducationBSc in Electronics, Rajaram College, Kolhapur
HeightApproximately 5’10” (1.78 m, estimated from visual references)
ProfessionActor, Director, Producer, Writer, TV Host
Debut Film (Acting)Shanti Shanti Shanti (1998, Kannada, supporting role)
Breakthrough FilmAlaipayuthey (2000, Tamil, as Karthik; directed by Mani Ratnam)
Hindi Film DebutRehnaa Hai Terre Dil Mein (2001, as Maddy)
Directorial DebutRocketry: The Nambi Effect (2022)
Total Films (Acting)Over 50 (Tamil, Hindi, Telugu, Kannada, Malayalam, English; exact count varies by source)
Total Films (Directed)1 (Rocketry: The Nambi Effect)
Notable FilmsAlaipayuthey (2000), Minnale (2001), Rehnaa Hai Terre Dil Mein (2001), Kannathil Muthamittal (2002), Rang De Basanti (2006), 3 Idiots (2009), Tanu Weds Manu (2011), Tanu Weds Manu Returns (2015), Vikram Vedha (2017), Rocketry: The Nambi Effect (2022), Shaitaan (2024)
Recent FilmHisaab Barabar (2025, OTT release on ZEE5, January 24, 2025)
Upcoming FilmsAap Jaisa Koi (2025, Netflix, with Fatima Sana Shaikh), De De Pyaar De 2 (2025), The Test (2025), Adhirshtasaali (2025), Shankara (TBD), untitled psychological thriller with Kangana Ranaut (TBD)
Production CompanyLeukos Films (co-owned with Sarita Birje; produced Evano Oruvan (2007), Irudhi Suttru/Saala Khadoos (2016))
AwardsNational Film Award (Best Feature Film, Rocketry, 2022), 4 Filmfare Awards South (e.g., Best Actor, Irudhi Suttru), 1 Tamil Nadu State Film Award, IIFA, SIIMA awards; Filmfare nominations (3 Idiots, Rang De Basanti)
TV CareerEarly roles in Banegi Apni Baat (1996), Sea Hawks, Ghar Jamai, Saaya (1998); Hosted Deal Ya No Deal (2005)
Net Worth (Estimated)₹100-150 crore (speculative, based on 25+ year career, real estate, endorsements; bought ₹17.5 crore BKC flat, 2024)
Recent PropertyLuxury 4BHK apartment in Bandra Kurla Complex, Mumbai (₹17.5 crore, July 2024)
HealthShoulder surgery (early 2024); lost 20 kg post-Rocketry (2022) via intermittent fasting
Social MediaInstagram: @actormaddy (1M+ followers); active with family, fitness, and film updates
Recent AppearanceClean-shaven look at Rohini Iyer’s dinner (October 2024); nostalgic RHTDM vibes (Times of India)
Public RecognitionPM Modi praised his Bengaluru airport video (2024); cultural ambassador to Canada (1988)
HobbiesGolf, swimming, public speaking, travel (owns homes in Mumbai, Dubai)
Son’s AchievementsVedaant: 5 gold medals (Malaysian Open, 2023), gold in 800m freestyle (Danish Open, 2023), Khelo India 2023 medals
Latest UpdateShooting Aap Jaisa Koi (Netflix, announced February 2025); Hisaab Barabar OTT premiere January 24, 2025
LegacyPan-India star; transitioned from romantic hero to intense roles; directorial acclaim with Rocketry

Early Life

Ranganathan Madhavan, popularly known as R. Madhavan, was born on June 1, 1970, in Jamshedpur, Jharkhand, India, into a Tamil Brahmin family. His father, Ranganathan, served as a management executive at Tata Steel, while his mother, Saroja, worked as a manager at the Bank of India. Madhavan grew up with his younger sister, Devika, a software engineer, in a Tamil-speaking household in Jharkhand.

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Education and Childhood

Madhavan excelled in school from the start. In 1988, he was allowed to represent his college (Rajaram College, Kolhapur) as a cultural ambassador in Canada. He was also a standout cadet during his college years.

He was also named Maharashtra’s Best Cadet. Due to this, he went to the UK for training, where he was trained with Royal ArmyNavy, and the Air Force. Madhavan never aspired to be an actor; instead, he aspired to be an army officer.

In February 2021, Madhavan was awarded the Doctor of Letters degree (D. Litt.) by DY Patil Education Society, Kolhapur, for his contribution to arts and cinema.

Also, Read- Waheeda Rehman And Her Life Journey | Waheeda Rehman Biography

Marriage Life and Madhvan’s Wife

After the study, Madhvan started his public speaking and personality development trainer career. He met his wife, Sarita Birje, who was his student. His wife was an Air hostess. Both got married in 1999. They have a son named Vedanta, who was born in 2005.

Son

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Vedant, Madhavan’s son, is making headlines these days. He also first placed in the male 800m freestyle at the Danish Open. He had previously won a silver medal in the 1500m freestyle. In an interview with Doordarshan, Vedanta stated, “My parents have worked very hard to get to this point.” He also said that I did not want to live in my father’s shadow.

Career Of Madhavan

Madhavan began his career in 1997 with a Chandan TV commercial ad. Following that, director Mani Ratnam offered him a role in one of his films and requested a screen test, but later removed him from the film, citing that he did not fit the role.

He then appeared on the small screen in several teleshows. People admired his work, and in 1998, Madhavan played an Indian police officer in the English film Inferno.

However, he achieved extraordinary fame and became popular among the audience after Madhavan acted in several South Indian films. In addition, he received the South Film Fair Award.

Madhavan rose to prominence in Hindi cinema with the film Rehnaa Hai Tere Dil Mein, in which he starred alongside Diya Mirza. Although the film did not perform well at the box office, Madhavan gained recognition in Bollywood.

Madhavan received a slew of film offers in Hindi. He then starred in the film Guru, in which Abhishek Bachchan and Aishwarya Rai Bachchan played the lead roles. The film performed very well at the box office, and critics also praised Madhavan’s performance.

r madhavan

3 Idiots, directed by Rajkumar Hirani, starred Aamir Khan in 2009. The screenplay was adapted from Chetan Bhagat’s novel Five Point Someone (What Not To Do at IIT).

In addition to Madhavan, Aamir Khan, Sharman Joshi, and Kareena Kapoor played lead roles in this film, which went on to gross a record-breaking amount of money at the box office.

Following that, in 2011, he appeared in the film Tanu Weds Manu, in which he co-starred with National Award-winning actress Kangana Ranaut. The film was a box office success, and its sequel was also made.

In 2016, Madhavan appeared in a movie based on boxing, which was simultaneously made in Hindi and Tamil and released on the same day. The Hindi name of the film was Saala Khadoos, and it was also known as Irudhi Suttru in Tamil.

Madhavan New Movie

R. Madhavan has an exciting lineup of films slated for 2025, showcasing his versatility across genres and languages. Here are his confirmed upcoming movies:

  1. Hisaab Barabar (January 24, 2025): A social drama where Madhavan plays Radhe Mohan Sharma, a meticulous train ticket examiner, uncovering a billion-dollar financial scam. Directed by Ashwani Dhir, it premiered at the 55th IFFI and will stream on ZEE5.
  2. Test (April 4, 2025): A sports drama featuring Madhavan alongside Nayanthara and Siddharth, produced by the Vikram Vedha team. It promises an engaging narrative rooted in athletic themes.
  3. Kesari Chapter 2: The Untold Story of Jallianwala Bagh (April 18, 2025): Madhavan stars with Akshay Kumar and Ananya Panday in this historical drama focusing on the Jallianwala Bagh massacre.
  4. De De Pyaar De 2 (November 14, 2025): A romantic comedy sequel with Ajay Devgn and Rakul Preet Singh, continuing the lighthearted saga of modern relationships.
  5. Aap Jaisa Koi (2025): Details are scarce, but this Hindi film is listed among Madhavan’s upcoming projects.
  6. Adhirshtasaali (2025): A Tamil fantasy film directed by Mithran R. Jawahar, marking Madhavan’s return to Tamil cinema.

Controversies

In 2019, Madhavan was criticised on social media for sharing photos of himself wearing a sacred thread (Poonal/Yajnopaveetham), a traditional Brahmin symbol, leading to accusations of promoting casteism. He did not publicly address the backlash.

In 2023, an old video resurfaced where Madhavan made a lighthearted comment about polygamy in a Muslim context, prompting accusations of racism and bigotry from some X users. He did not respond to these claims.

In 2025, Madhavan clarified rumours of flirtatious Instagram interactions with young fans, explaining that his polite responses to compliments were misconstrued after screenshots were shared out of context. He emphasised the need for caution in digital interactions during a parental control app launch.

Additionally, in 2022, while promoting Rocketry: The Nambi Effect, some criticised him for referring to Nambi Narayanan’s espionage case, though Madhavan clarified the film focused on Narayanan’s achievements, not controversies.

Madhavan’s vocal support for PETA, including an 8-minute video against meat consumption, also drew criticism from some quarters for not addressing caste-related violence.

Some Interesting facts about R. Madhavan

  • Madhavan was born in Jamshedpur, Jharkhand, on June 1, 1970. His full name is Ranganathan Madhavan, and his father’s name is Ranganathan.
  • Madhavan’s fans and colleagues frequently address him as ‘Maddy Bhai,’ ‘Maddy Paji,’ ‘Maddy Bhaijaan,’ ‘Maddy Sir,’ ‘Maddy Chetta,’ and ‘Maddy Anna.’
  • After finishing his studies, Madhavan worked as a teacher in Kolhapur. He received his postgraduate degree in Public Speaking from KC College in Mumbai.
  • Madhavan started modelling for extra money.
  • In early 1996, Madhavan advertised a sandalwood powder. He also did a screen test for famous director Mani Ratnam’s film ‘Iruvar,’ but he was not chosen. Nonetheless, Madhavan later collaborated with Mani Ratnam on the film Guru.
  • Before his film debut, Madhavan appeared in TV shows such as ‘Banegi Apni Baat,’ ‘Toll Mol Ke Bol,’ ‘Ghar Jamai,’ and ‘Sea Hawks.’ ‘Is Raat Ki Subah Nahi’ was Madhavan’s first film in which he had a small role.
  • In the 2001 Tamil film Minale, Madhavan co-starred with South actress Reema Sen. The film was director Menon’s debut, and it was later followed by the Hindi remake, Rehna Hai Tere Dil Mein, in which Madhavan reprised his lead role, accompanied by Diya Mirza and Saif Ali Khan.
  • Madhavan has also appeared in ‘Rang De Basanti,’ ‘3 Idiots,’ ‘Tanu Weds Manu,’ and, most recently, ‘Tanu Weds Manu Returns.’

FAQs

Is R Madhavan a Brahmin?

Yes, Madhavan is a Tamil Brahmin born in Jharkhand (then Bihar).

Is R Madhavan an engineer?

Yes, Madhavan is an electronics engineer, and he has completed a B.SC in electronics.

What is the net worth of R Madhavan?

Madhavan’s net worth is around 103 crore rupees.

What is the age of R Madhavan?

On June 1st, 2021, Madhavan will be 51 years old.

Where is R Madhavan from?

He is originally Tamil but was born and raised in Jamshedpur, where his father worked at Tata Steels.

Does Madhavan eat non-veg?

No, he is vegetarian, as he is from a Tamil Brahmin family.

Is Madhavan a doctor?

No, rather, he is an engineer who wanted to join the army in childhood.

What is the height of R Madhavan?

He is 5 feet 10 inches tall.

Does actor Madhavan drink alcohol?

No, he doesn’t drink alcohol.

Who is the father of R Madhavan?

Ranganathan, an ex-employee of Tata Steel.

Who is Madhavan’s brother?

He does not have a brother but a younger sister named Devika Ranganathan.

Complete Filmography

(Sorted chronologically, including upcoming projects)

YearTitleRoleLanguage(s)Notes
1996Is Raat Ki Subah NahinSingerHindiGuest appearance in the song “Chup Tum Raho” 
1997InfernoRaviEnglishCredited as “Mahadevan” 
1998Shanti Shanti ShantiSiddharthaKannadaDebut in Kannada cinema; dubbed in Tamil as Relax 
2000Alai PayutheyKarthik VaradharajanTamilBreakthrough role; directed by Mani Ratnam
EnnavaleJames VasanthTamilMixed reviews but praised for Madhavan’s performance 
2001MinnaleRajesh ShivakumarTamilRomantic hit; directed by Gautham Menon 
Dumm Dumm DummAdityaTamilProduced by Mani Ratnam 
Rehnaa Hai Terre Dil MeinMadhav “Maddy” ShastriHindiCult classic; Hindi remake of Minnale 
Paarthale ParavasamMadhavaTamilGuest appearance 
2002Kannathil MuthamittalThiruchelvanTamilDirected by Mani Ratnam; critically acclaimed 
RunSivaTamilAction drama 
Dil Vil Pyar VyarKrish KumarHindiMusical romance 
2003Anbe SivamAnbarasuTamilCo-starred with Kamal Haasan; cult classic 
Lesa LesaDeva NarayananTamilCameo appearance
Nala DamayanthiRamji Narayanaswami IyerTamilComedy-drama 
Priyamaana ThozhiAshokTamilMusical drama 
Jay JayJaganTamilRomantic film 
2004AethirreeSubramaniTamilComedy 
Aaytha EzhuthuInbasekarTamilDirected by Mani Ratnam; ensemble cast.
Nothing But LifeThomas RobertsEnglishBilingual film
2005PriyasakhiSandhana KrishnanTamilRomantic drama 
Ramji LondonwaleyRamnarayan TiwariHindiCo-writer; black comedy 
2006Rang De BasantiAjay Singh RathodHindiPatriotic drama; critical acclaim 
ThambiThambi Velu ThondaimanTamilPolitical drama 
RenduSakthi, Kannan (dual role)TamilDual role 
2007GuruShyam SaxenaHindiBiopic on Dhirubhai Ambani; co-starred with Abhishek Bachchan 
Evano OruvanSridhar VasudevanTamilAlso producer and dialogue writer 
2008Mumbai Meri JaanNikhil AgarwalHindiDrama on Mumbai train blasts 
20093 IdiotsFarhan QureshiHindiHighest-grossing Indian film at release; cult classic 
Yavarum NalamR. ManoharTamilHorror-thriller; bilingual (released as 13B in Hindi) 
2011Tanu Weds ManuManoj “Manu” SharmaHindiRomantic comedy; box-office hit 
2012VettaiThirumurthyTamilAction-drama; co-starred with Arya 
2015Tanu Weds Manu ReturnsManoj “Manu” SharmaHindiSequel; one of 2015’s highest-grossing films 
2016Irudhi Suttru/Saala KhadoosPrabhu Selvaraj/Aditya TomarTamil/HindiSports drama; also producer 
2017Vikram VedhaVikramTamilNeo-noir thriller; critical acclaim .
2022Rocketry: The Nambi EffectNambi NarayananTamil/Hindi/EnglishDirectorial debut; National Award winner 
2024ShaitaanVanraj KashyapHindiSupernatural thriller 
2025Hisaab Barabar †Radhe Mohan SharmaHindiSatirical drama; OTT release 
Test †Saravanan “Sara”TamilSports thriller; streaming on Netflix
Adhirshtasaali †TBATamilFantasy film; completed 
Dhurandhar †TBAHindiEspionage thriller; filming 
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