Entertainment Desk
18 August 2025, 11:47 AM IST
R Madhavan discusses the complexities of ageing in Bollywood, relationships, and his latest film `Aap Jaisa Koi`.
R Madhavan, Fatima Sana Shaikh
Veteran actor R Madhavan, known for his versatile performances and timeless charm, is entering a phase of reflection, both personally and professionally. In a candid conversation with the Hindustan Times, while discussing his latest film Aap Jaisa Koi, Madhavan shed light on the subtle complexities of ageing in the entertainment industry, particularly for male actors.
“You have to be careful in the choice of heroines,” Madhavan admits, “ because even though they still want to work with you, it looks like the actor is having fun on the pretext of the movie.” The 55-year-old actor stresses that when the audience perceives a film as just an excuse for an older actor to romance younger women, “If that is the overwhelming feeling coming out of a movie, then wo character ke liye respect nahi rehta ha (then respect for that character fades away)”.
In Aap Jaisa Koi, Madhavan plays a man in his 40s navigating the daunting world of modern matchmaking while grappling with age-related insecurities, a theme that, he reveals, resonates with his own life. “One of the first times you get hit about your age is when your kids’ friends start calling you uncle,” he shares with a laugh. “It hits you by shock but then you have to come to terms with it.”
The actor also opens up about the physical limitations that come with age and how they influence the kind of roles he takes up. “There is also the realisation that my body strength is not such that I can do things like a 22-year-old,” he says, adding that it’s crucial to ensure “It’s essential for me to realise that age appropriateness and the kind of people I’m working with, are aligned so that it doesn’t look sleazy.”
Beyond personal insecurities, the film also delves into the theme of equality in relationships, a topic Madhavan passionately unpacks. Offering a nuanced perspective, he says, “Sometimes opening a door or holding the door for a lady is considered offensive right now by some people. Now the guy is not doing it to offend, he’s trying to say this is the manners that I’ve been taught.”
He points out how language can reflect deeper patriarchal conditioning. “In a patriarchal society, a man allowing his wife to work is considered to be a generous thing for the husband to do. He doesn’t realise ‘allowing’ is the wrong word,” he notes. “Him saying ‘I’m proud of the fact that my wife is working’ in the same situation makes him look like a much more accommodating man. So, he has to learn to say ‘I’m really proud of the fact that my wife is working’ instead of saying ‘I’m so happy, I am allowing her to work’. The equality terminology has to be understood and the women also have to understand that this guy probably doesn’t know that his sense of equality is not really equal.”
Aap Jaisa Koi, which premiered on Netflix on July 11, 2025, received mixed reviews, both Madhavan and co-star Fatima Sana Shaikh were widely praised for their heartfelt performances. Directed by Vivek Soni, the film also features Ayesha Raza, Manish Chaudhary, and Namit Das in prominent roles.
Subscribe to our NewsletterGet Latest Mathrubhumi Updates in EnglishFollow
Disclaimer: Kindly avoid objectionable, derogatory, unlawful and lewd comments, while responding to reports. Such comments are punishable under cyber laws. Please keep away from personal attacks. The opinions expressed here are the personal opinions of readers and not that of Mathrubhumi.