Madhavan's filmography reveals a unique pattern. A man who was once dubbed the 'chocolate boy' of Tamil cinema has now played multiple characters based on real people. Now, Madhavan steps into the shoes of inventor GD Naidu, in the upcoming biopic GDN, which opens in theatres on July 17. In this exclusive interview with CE, Madhavan speaks about the marvellous feats of GD Naidu, the challenges he faces in portraying real people and his reaction to getting the Padma Shri Award.
What drove you to work on GDN?
It is a crime to not know great people from our country and appreciate them. GD Naidu tried to build cars like Mercedes Benz in India. In pursuance of a contract for that he faced obstacles from the British first, and then Indians. But it is not just about knowing the man's achievements, it is more about knowing the man. Satyaraj sir, who plays a crucial role in the film, has said, 'When I was growing up, GD Naidu set the bar for knowledge.' Even I was guilty of not knowing the greatness of the man. If he was able to realise his ideas and vision completely, India would have gone through a tremendous transformation. Be it technological advancements in any field, GD Naidu had ideated them and had built them.
Beyond GD Naidu's inventions, his intentions are extraordinary. For example, he fought to change the duration of an engineering course from four to two years, because he was a champion of practical application of knowledge. With the onset of AI, the path to learn is changing. It is not about what you learn, it is about what you will learn. GD Naidu was someone who believed that whatever one learns should be helpful throughout life. Now this mantra is in need more than ever.
Was portraying a real person a fun endeavor for you?
As actors, we have to learn something new with each role. When I did Rocketry: The Nambi Effect, I learnt the science behind rockets, with GDN I learnt engineering and the vehicles built by GD Naidu, and the efforts taken to create those vehicles. But this learning is something I always enjoy.
Did you face any challenges while doing a biopic?
An actor has to express every emotion needed. Even when we stick to realism, we can only show two to three variations. But a tougher job is bringing freshness to your performance after years of experience, as every take can remind me of a Minnale (2001) or a Thambi (2006). I am driven by the desire for the audience to forget me as the film is playing on screen, and for them to remember that it is me after the film has ended.
You have taken on very story-driven films these past few years…
I completely believe that if I do four to five commercial films, they would all be successes. I can survive with that formulaic thinking for a while. But I am scared whenever I think about the kind of legacy I leave behind. When someone thinks about Madhavan, will they only talk about the 'chocolate boy' era, or that I did some action and romantic films? So when this question arose, I wanted to work with storytellers of the next generation.
But such story driven films are often at the risk of failing commercially...
The only reason a film gets stuck in production is that it has not been made properly. An evolved people need an evolved storytelling structure. For example, in the Dhurandhar films, the narrative was fast paced even though it was two films. Even then, people could understand everything that was put in front of them. The success of a film doesn’t just rely on the story; it depends on the filmmaker.
Audiences also wish to see you in a film like Run (2002) again.
I feel that if I do the same kind of films in my 50s as I did in my 20s, it wouldn't be appropriate. But I hope there is another Madhavan who does those kinds of films again.
Do you think that audiences won't accept middle-aged women actors as they have accepted you now?
That is not true. Take Jyotika, for example, even though she is not as old as me, she takes on roles typically reserved for younger actors and audiences have accepted her. On the other hand, that is the job of the storyteller and not the actor. We had director Visu, whose stories featured middle-aged women in prominent roles. So there is a dearth of writers who can write those characters.
You are now a recipient of the Padma Shri. How did that feel?
never expected it or pursued it. But it is a huge honour. Seeing Mammootty sir or anyone who was awarded along with me, I realised that most of them were everyday people who did extraordinary feats without the expectation of a reward. I did feel slightly embarrassed receiving the Padma Shri along with such great people. While cinema may or may not bring real change, those people brought tangible changes to their hometowns.
What will convince you that GDN has succeeded?
When people across India learn about GD Naidu's life, write about his achievements, and an academic syllabus contains stories about him, I consider that a victory.
