Actor Madhavan believes that the upcoming biographical drama G.D.N has a larger purpose than celebrating the life of inventor and industrial pioneer GD Naidu. It is about ensuring that future generations know who he was.
Speaking at the trailer launch of the film, Madhavan said the legendary inventor deserves widespread recognition before any debate about national honours. "I think GD Naidu deserves the recognition first," the actor said to IANS, when asked whether the film could strengthen calls for the inventor to be honoured with the Bharat Ratna.
Madhavan expressed confidence that young people would be curious enough to discover GD Naidu's contributions once they were introduced to his story. "The younger generation today is very smart. You don't need to tell them too many things. It is enough if we drop them hints—they research and get to understand what they need to know," he said.
Explaining why he believes GD Naidu remains relevant today, Madhavan pointed to the inventor's progressive ideas on education, saying he was decades ahead of his time. "Back then itself, GD Naidu asked why one had to spend four years studying engineering. He believed people could learn everything practically in two years through polytechnics. Today, because of AI, we're beginning to realise that we don't need to learn everything—only what we require. Naidu had several such ideas during his time. That's why I think he deserves at least acknowledgement; forget the awards. Everybody should know about him, especially people of his own land."
Often hailed as the "Edison of India", GD Naidu was a self-taught engineer, inventor and entrepreneur from Coimbatore who transformed Indian manufacturing through practical, affordable innovations. He developed India's first indigenous electric motor and created a wide range of products, from fans and razors to petrol engines and ticket machines, earning a reputation as one of the country's greatest innovators.
Written and directed by Krishnakumar Ramkumar of Oho Enthan Baby fame, G.D.N stars Madhavan in the titular role alongside Dushara Vijayan, Sathyaraj, Jayaram, Priyamani, Vinay Rai, Aditi Balan and Yogi Babu.
Produced by Vijay Moolan and Varghese Moolan under Varghese Moolan Pictures, with Madhavan and Sarita backing the project through Tricolour Films, the film features music by Govind Vasantha and cinematography by Aravind Kamalanathan. G.D.N is scheduled to release in theatres on July 17 in Tamil, Telugu, Malayalam, Kannada and Hindi.
