Today is R. Madhavan’s 52nd birthday. The terrific yet underrated actor is all geared up for his first directorial venture ‘Rocketry: The Nambi Effect’, which recently received a standing ovation by the Cannes festival audience.
Madhavan is known for his earnest performances in films like ‘Vikram Vedha’, ‘Anbe Sivam’, ‘3 Idiots’, and ‘Tanu Weds Manu Returns’, to name a few. However, for this article, we have compiled a list of five of his relatively underrated movies which should have received more widespread appreciation and recognition across the country. You can stream these movies on various OTT platforms.
Evano Oruvan, 2007 (Streaming on Sun NXT)
Helmed by Nishikant Kamat, the thriller movie follows the story of the protagonist Sridhar (played by Madhavan), an idealistic common man who witnesses rampant corruption all around him. One day, after reaching a saturation point, a frustrated Sridhar decides to take the matter in his own hands and resorts to violent ways for delivering justice to the corrupt elements of the society.
Kannathil Muthamittal, 2002 (Streaming on Netflix, Amazon Prime Video, Manorama Max, Lionsgate Play)
Directed by Mani Ratnam, the film’s plot revolves around a nine-year-old girl named Amudha (P. S. Keerthana), who is told by her Indian parents (Madhavan and Simran) that she was adopted by them as an infant. The sudden revelation disturbs the girl, and she becomes adamant to find her biological Sri Lankan mother (Nandita Das). The couple reluctantly decides to take the girl to Sri Lanka amidst Civil War unrest. Their attempt to reach Amudha’s mother and how Amudha deals with the stark truth forms the rest of the film’s story.
Saala Khadoos aka Irudhi Suttru, 2016 (Streaming on Manorama Max)
The movie revolves around a disgruntled and unconventional former boxer turned boxing coach (played by Madhavan), who discovers raw talent in a Chennai-based poor fisherwoman (Ritika Singh) and trains her to become a professional boxer. The Tamil and Hindi versions of the movie are titled ‘Irudhi Suttru’ and ‘Saala Khadoos’ respectively. It was helmed by ‘Soorarai Pottru’ director Sudha Kongara.
13B: Fear Has a New Address aka Yavarum Nalam, 2009 (Streaming on Prime Video, Disney+ Hotstar, Lionsgate Play)
The riveting horror mystery thriller follows the story of an ordinary Indian family, who experience strange happenings after moving into their new apartment – 13B on the 13th floor. As the protagonist (played by Madhavan) begins to investigate these unusual and supernatural incidents, he learns about the place’s gut-wrenching history. It’s one of those must-watch, rare films whose execution was so brilliant that a Hollywood studio was once interested in remaking the film.
Mumbai Meri Jaan, 2008 (Streaming on Netflix, Disney+ Hotstar)
Directed by Nishikant Kamat (Force, Drishyam, Madaari), the heartrending drama narrates the story of different characters and their interconnected stories and how the abominable 2006 Mumbai train bombings affected their lives in different ways. The film features a terrific cast including Paresh Rawal, Kay Kay Menon, Irrfan Khan, Madhavan, and Soha Ali Khan amongst others. Madhavan plays the role of an environmentally aware Nationalist whose wife is pregnant with their first child.
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