R. Madhavan

Acting

R. Madhavan

Born 1970-06-01 · Jamshedpur, Jharkhand, India

Ranganathan Madhavan (born 1 June 1970) is an Indian actor, writer and film producer. He has been described as one of the few actors in India who is able to achieve pan-Indian appeal, appearing in films from seven different languages. Madhavan has received two Filmfare Awards, an award from the Tamil Nadu State Film Awards alongside recognition and nominations from other organisations. Madhavan began his acting career with television guest appearances, including a role on the Zee TV prime-time soap opera Banegi Apni Baat in 1996. After appearing in commercials and in small roles, he later gained recognition in the Tamil film industry through Mani Ratnam's successful romance film Alaipayuthey (2000). In addition to his acting career, Madhavan has worked as a writer on his films, hosted television programmes and has been a prominent celebrity endorser for brands and products.[5] He has also worked as a film producer, first making Evano Oruvan with Leukos Films, before setting up Tricolour Films to produce Saala Khadoos (2016). Madhavan is noted for his philanthropic activities and promotes various causes such as environment, health and education. He is particularly vocal about the protection of animals and was awarded PETA's Person of the Year recognition in 2012.

Acting credits

Dhurandhar poster
7.3

In the early 2000s, an undercover operative infiltrates Karachi's underworld, breaking into its inner circle to dismantle a violent nexus from within.

Dhurandhar

2025

3 Idiots poster
8.0

Rascal. Joker. Dreamer. Genius... You've never met a college student quite like "Rancho." From the moment he arrives at India's most prestigious university, Rancho's outlandish schemes turn the campus upside down—along with the lives of his two newfound best friends. Together, they make life miserable for "Virus," the school’s uptight and heartless dean. But when Rancho catches the eye of the dean's daughter, Virus sets his sights on flunking out the "3 idiots" once and for all.

3 Idiots

2009

Dhurandhar: The Revenge poster
7.3

As rival gangs, corrupt officials and a ruthless Major Iqbal close in, Hamza's mission for his country spirals into a bloody personal war where the line between patriot and monster disappears in the streets of Lyari.

Dhurandhar: The Revenge

2026

Guru poster
6.9

A villager, Gurukant Desai, arrives in Bombay in 1958, and rises from its streets to become the biggest tycoon in India.

Guru

2007

Nishabdham poster
5.3

Seattle PD is investigating the murder of a man and Sakshi, a deaf and mute artist, and her husband Antony, a renowned cello player, are related to it.

Nishabdham

2020

Zero poster
5.2

Short in stature but big on love, a bachelor meets two very different women who broaden his horizons and help him find purpose in life.

Zero

2018

No artwork available
NR

Roby Thomas migrates to the U.S. with the help of a priest and works as a barman in a casino in Las Vegas. Roby is a simple youngster who believes in helping people in distress but he has a suicidal tendency. The film focuses on the inner turmoil of a youngster who seems to have a positive attitude towards life and emphasizes the importance of inter-personal relationship and friendship.

Made in USA

2005

Kettavarellam Padalam poster
NR

Three friends struggle to cope with their personal and professional lives as they deal with jealousy and loss of loved ones.

Kettavarellam Padalam

2005

Yavarum Nalam poster
6.3

Manohar and his family move into a new apartment on the 13th floor. However, their peace is disturbed by a spirit that uses the television set as a medium to communicate with them.

Yavarum Nalam

2009

Shaitaan poster
6.3

Kabir and his family's fun weekend retreat takes terrifying turn when an intruder takes over the control of the body of his teenage daughter, putting her at the mercy of his increasingly sinister orders.

Shaitaan

2024

De De Pyaar De 2 poster
6.7

When Ashish meets his girlfriend's parents for the first time, their age difference sparks outrage and a madcap plot to drive him out of her life.

De De Pyaar De 2

2025

Minnale poster
6.8

Rajesh Shivakumar is a college hoodlum who has his first crush on Reena Joseph, who unfortunately, is engaged to be married to Rajiv Samuel, an Indian engineer settled abroad. In an effort to gain her heart, Maddy impersonates Rajiv and gets close to Reena, aided by his grandfather Subbuni and his crooked sidekick Chockalingam. However, the real Rajiv shows up, bringing a shocking end to Reena's romantic interlude.

Minnale

2001

Vikram Vedha poster
7.3

A notorious gangster Vedha surrenders himself to encounter specialist Vikram whom he challenges every step of the way by narrating his life events in the form of riddles that needs to be solved in order to capture him.

Vikram Vedha

2017

G.D.N poster
NR

Based on the life of G.D. Naidu, the 'Edison of India', dramatising his groundbreaking innovations, his industrial contributions, and conflicts with authorities—including struggles where his work and international dealings faced severe scrutiny and opposition.

G.D.N

2026

Rang De Basanti poster
7.1

After a group of friends graduate from Delhi University, they listlessly haunt their old campus, until a British filmmaker casts them in a film she's making about freedom fighters under British rule. Although the group is largely apolitical, the tragic death of a friend owing to local government corruption awakens their patriotism. Inspired by the freedom fighters they represent in the film, the friends collectively decide to avenge the killing.

Rang De Basanti

2006

Rocketry: The Nambi Effect poster
7.7

The story of the great Indian rocket scientist, Shri Nambi Narayanan's life, a true patriot, who was turned into a villain in the blink of an eye after being falsely accused of treason.

Rocketry: The Nambi Effect

2022

Vaazhthugal poster
4.0

Kadhiravan, a businessman, desires a wife who should respect his parents. After seeing Kayalvizhi on TV, he meets her on the pretext of being a home contractor and slowly makes his way into her heart.

Vaazhthugal

2008

Rendu poster
3.7

Sakhti moves to Chennai in search of a job but lands himself in trouble when a CBI officer chases him for a series of murder committed by his lookalike, Kannan.

Rendu

2006

Ennavale poster
NR

When a man and his friends start a music troupe that performs at weddings, he is highly motivated by his landlord's daughter.

Ennavale

2000

Aap Jaisa Koi poster
6.5

Shrirenu lives by tradition. Madhu lives unapologetically. When their paths cross, a tender romance unfolds — awkward, sweet but shadowed by patriarchy.

Aap Jaisa Koi

2025

Halla Bol poster
4.9

Ashfaque (Ajay Devgan) is a small town boy aspiring to be a film star in the Hindi film industry. He joins a street theatre group run by a reformed dacoit Sidhu (Pankaj Kapur) who uses street theatre as a medium to bring about an awakening in the masses. Ashfaque struggles to give a creative vent to the actor in him in order to realize his dreams.

Halla Bol

2008

Anbe Sivam poster
7.7

Anbarasu, young and arrogant, and Nallasivam, damaged - physically but not spiritually - by life, are thrown together by circumstances, and find that they are in some ways bound together by fate.

Anbe Sivam

2003

Nala Damayanthi poster
6.9

A village cook Ramji goes to Australia to become a chef at a multi-millionaire Indian's home. Unfortunately, the millionaire dies of indigestion the day Ramji arrives, leaving him jobless with an expired visa. Desperate to stay and earn, he starts working illegally as a cook, but to stay on, he needs to get legal. A solution comes up when Damayanthi, a free-spirited biker, agrees to marry the docile cook for a price.

Nala Damayanthi

2003

Paarthale Paravasam poster
5.0

A doctor becomes an instant heartthrob after making an appearance in a movie and soon marries a woman. But just after their marriage, the truth about his past is revealed, which leads to complications, taking the couple a step closer to divorce.

Paarthale Paravasam

2001

Behind the camera

G.D.N poster
NR

Based on the life of G.D. Naidu, the 'Edison of India', dramatising his groundbreaking innovations, his industrial contributions, and conflicts with authorities—including struggles where his work and international dealings faced severe scrutiny and opposition.

G.D.N

2026

G.D.N poster
NR

Based on the life of G.D. Naidu, the 'Edison of India', dramatising his groundbreaking innovations, his industrial contributions, and conflicts with authorities—including struggles where his work and international dealings faced severe scrutiny and opposition.

G.D.N

2026

Rocketry: The Nambi Effect poster
7.7

The story of the great Indian rocket scientist, Shri Nambi Narayanan's life, a true patriot, who was turned into a villain in the blink of an eye after being falsely accused of treason.

Rocketry: The Nambi Effect

2022

Rocketry: The Nambi Effect poster
7.7

The story of the great Indian rocket scientist, Shri Nambi Narayanan's life, a true patriot, who was turned into a villain in the blink of an eye after being falsely accused of treason.

Rocketry: The Nambi Effect

2022

Rocketry: The Nambi Effect poster
7.7

The story of the great Indian rocket scientist, Shri Nambi Narayanan's life, a true patriot, who was turned into a villain in the blink of an eye after being falsely accused of treason.

Rocketry: The Nambi Effect

2022

Irudhi Suttru poster
7.3

A grumpy boxing coach takes on a young, rebellious woman under his wings and starts training her for the world championship. But their biggest battle has to be fought outside the ring.

Irudhi Suttru

2016

Ramji Londonwaley poster
6.9

Ramji Tiwari and his sister, Parvati, had their parents pass away at an early age. Ramji is a skilled cook and is familiar with all aspects of vegetarian cooking. He arranges Parvati's marriage with the Mishra family, promises to pay a large sum of dowry, which he manages to get by promising to get married to a wealthy man's daughter.

Ramji Londonwaley

2005