R. Madhavan

Sequels face the risk of being constantly compared to the first film.

People of Maharashtra are close to my heart, and this is where I became who I am, and this has been instrumental in my formative years.

For me, my realism has stood me over 15 years, so the kind of films that I have done has garnered enough respect for me to be able to survive the industry.

I don't want to buy a jet plane. I don't want to live with an entourage.

For every film that I have believed in - from 'Tanu Weds Manu' to 'Rehna Hai Tere Dil Mein' - it was very difficult to find producers.

A loverboy's shelf life is very limited.

If I look like a six-pack replete warrior in 'Tanu Weds Manu,' viewers are not going accept me.

I can't dance like Hrithik Roshan. I don't have the necessary glamour like some of the other actors do. They are able to sell themselves on that aspect. I do roles and films which are very realistic. So, in those films, if you don't get into the skin of it, they won't look convincing.

Any story, any screenplay can only happen if the whole unit is professionally working towards it.

Films are my life; I don't think there is anything that I would not do for the sake of the movie.

When we make a film like 'TWM Returns,' it is important that we don't think of bettering anything. It's like a baby being born: all you can hope for is the best. But you can't decide how the baby is going to look. Similarly with the movie - you can't think of making it better; you only can think of making the best film possible.

I had built my body to look like a boxer, then I lost it completely for 'Tanu Weds Manu Returns.' It was really tough gaining weight, building muscles, and then losing it completely for another film.

When you go into the realm of a double role, you have to take it to another level to make it believable.

I am a Tambrahm born and brought up in Jamshedpur 20 years of my life, as my father worked for the Tatas there. My mother was a chief manager in the Bank of India and the only lady manager in Bihar in those times.

I think Anand Rai is one of the few brilliant directors we have.

I am a south Indian, so I speak Tamil.

My assistants will bear testimony to the fact that I am a very angry man.

I am one of those people who are really short-tempered, but I don't lose it unless it is justified.

If I hadn't been part of '3 Idiots,' I would have felt bloody jealous.

I have been very cautious about the films that I do. I hope to always entertain my audience. The day I am not able to do that, I will quit acting.

If you do not have a good script, then no matter what the genre is, the film will not be a success.

I am a hardcore Bihari boy. I am born and brought up in Bihar, and for me, ethnicity is not a problem and is inbuilt in me.

One needs to be super intelligent and have an above-average IQ to be able to work in movies.

I took a break so that I can entertain my audience properly.

I have always acted in films where women have an equal, if not bigger, role than mine. Don't the kind of films you do reflect your personality?

My favourite food is definitely paani puri.

I studied B.Sc electronics to be an engineer and later did masters in communication and advertising. I loved engineering for what it could accomplish to make our lives easier. But, I realised that it was not my passion.

If you say actors have a social responsibility to do things, you are right, in a way. It's a wishful decision. But if it's done out of force, I don't think it will accomplish anything. Everybody starts counting how much work they have done and see if they have done their due for the week. That is not social service. You need to go way beyond that.

I use the Net for a lot of things besides e-mailing. I involve myself in chats with people as part of my research for characters.

Golf has always been a passion over the years.

I've always believed that the script is the boss.

Normally, my birthdays are very quiet. I go to the temple with my family and later take blessing from my parents. A few friends come over to my house, and we talk about the year gone by.

I am very choosy about my films. I don't do a film just for the sake of money.

Finding one good script is a huge challenge. So I do a film whose script comes and grabs me. Once I finish that, I look forward to the next movie.

I've realised that to make a successful film, you have to be with a unit which is happy and positive from the beginning.

All of us wish for a dignity that commands respect. But few have it.

When I do a film, I try and see how in tune I am with the director.

It is not easy to lose or gain weight. The diet and the exercise regime should be compatible with your body, or else you end up with wrinkles and hair loss.

I was really lucky and blessed to have had the likes of directors such as Mani Ratnam and Rajkumar Hirani in my career.

Marital status is not going to affect one's prospects or fan following, for ultimately, talent will prevail. Take Aamir Khan or Shah Rukh Khan, for instance. Actors are mere dream sellers. They cannot become everyone's lover.

I would prefer to work for directors who give me the script and written screenplay at the outset.

Acting is like any other profession. I do not think stars need to have any hang-ups in public. I do not like to be treated like someone special - and this I say because I am normal and not because I want to sound humble.

Television is a good training ground for aspiring stars. You can experiment and get away, imbibing the positive and viable aspects. Whereas, in cinema, the stakes are high. If something goes wrong, the film falls flat.

I always take part in the creative process of every film of mine. Gone are the days where an actor would walk into the sets, finish his portions, take the money, and leave. In fact, I've been accused of being interfering - but that's the way I am. It is important for every actor to get involved with the script.

When I listen to scripts, I never ask who my co-star is - instead, I ask about the characters and the producers of the particular venture.

If anybody accuses me of being rich, I give it back to them because I had a poor economical background. I worked my way up, and I am an exemplary citizen, and I always do what is good for my nation.

I am not someone who would raise my voice to seek publicity. I am a responsible citizen, and I continue to be so.

There is a difference between being educated and academics.

It took me 15 years of being in the industry to know that you need makeup and styling when you go out, that you need to have PR.

Success, or the lack of it, has a way to make you realise what your boundaries are.