'Travelled for four years from 2011, changed life perspective forever'; Madhavan about his brief hiatus from cinema

Madhavan, the vintage heartthrob of the Tamil Industry, last appeared in Dhurandhar, directed by Aditya Dhar. The actor’s latest interview is being discussed on social media.

Madhavan revealed that he had to take a four-year break from filmmaking in 2011, which he ended after signing to play the prominent role in ‘Vikram Vedha’.

Madhavan:

"I felt very disappointed with the work I was doing. That's why I took a break. I went to Switzerland to shoot a Tamil song. There, I was acting in a song scene wearing orange pants and a green shirt. The shooting was in the middle of the road. Then I saw a farmer there drinking tea and looking at us with disdain. I felt insulted by him. In my mind, I was saying like 'Come to Chennai, dude and see who I really am'.

I was really angry. But suddenly some thoughts came to my mind. I am literally dancing to the rhythm of others. I know how to handle a gun, I know how to fly remote vehicles and ride horses. But I don't show any of this in films. The only thing I did was to impress the audience in a dire attempt to get the superstar status. I realised the mistake and decided to take a hiatus from the industry. I even stopped doing commercials during that time period.

I grew a beard, travelled a lot in Chennai and other parts of India. I talked to rickshaw pullers. I understood what their needs were and the issues that mattered to them the most. These four years had a big impact on my life, and I continue to live my life with the insights I acquired during those travels.”