R Madhavan has weighed in on the growing criticism from moviegoers, arguing that filmmakers should not dismiss an audience that has become increasingly vocal about the films they choose to watch. Speaking about the reaction to M9, the actor said the modern-day viewer has more power and awareness than ever before.
According to Madhavan, audiences today no longer wait for a film to release before forming an opinion. Trailers, teasers and promotional material have given them enough material to decide whether a film interests them, and he believes filmmakers have to respect those judgements.
The actor also pointed out how much a family potentially invests in a theatrical outing. He described a familiar scenario where one member of the family insists on watching a particular star's film, only for the others to be disappointed by what they see on screen. For Madhavan, this is precisely why the paying audience has every right to be demanding.
He also addressed the changing experience of watching films in theatres, including the many distractions available to viewers. Despite this, he said, a film that fails to engage its audience will inevitably face their ire. “Now, even before the film is released, they are so angry. They have passed judgment on the teaser or trailer. They are absolutely correct,” he said.
Madhavan further drew a parallel between acting and sports, where public perception can directly determine the outcome. He said the common man effectively becomes the master because buying a movie ticket is itself an endorsement of the work being presented. “His achievement in life is only that he can afford to buy a ticket to your movie. And therefore, he becomes your master,” Madhavan remarked, adding that filmmakers should “salute what he says.”
The actor also noted that unlike professionals in many other fields, film personalities face criticism in a very public manner, with the repercussions extending to their families as well. He said the audience's disappointment is therefore not something the industry can simply brush aside.
Madhavan can now be seen in GDN, the biographical film on industrialist and inventor GD Naidu, which he also co-wrote and produced. He has Adhirshtasaali and Circle in the pipeline.
