R Madhavan, who recently captivated audiences with his menacing performance in the horror drama Shaitaan, has shared insights into why he finds OTT platforms liberating and reflected on the challenges of his career. As he prepares for his next project, Hisaab Barabar, the actor opened up about the anxiety he faces during film releases and promotions.
Speaking to SCREEN, Madhavan revealed that the pressure surrounding theatrical releases has always been daunting. “Thank God for [OTT platforms],” he said when asked about the absence of box office stress. “I get nervous by the hour as I get closer to a release. In fact, the two most horrifying moments for me in my career are the first day of shooting—it’s getting progressively difficult—and the first day of publicity and release because everyone is watching, and I feel they’re saying, ‘Nope, you’ve lost it; that’s it, game over.’”
Despite the challenges, Madhavan expressed gratitude for his enduring career, celebrating his ability to headline projects even after 25 years in the film industry. “It’s not easy to survive for 25 years in an industry like this, where people become obsolete in 25 months. To still be doing main leads is something I’m very grateful for. It’s the words of encouragement from people that keep me going; otherwise, I would have been a lost soul by now,” he said.
Madhavan will soon be seen in the satirical thriller Hisaab Barabar, directed by Ashwani Dhir. The Zee5 film, set to premiere on 24 January, features Madhavan as an honest Indian Railways ticket checker who uncovers a massive financial fraud orchestrated by banker Mickey Mehta, played by Neil Nitin Mukesh. The cast also includes Kirti Kulhari, Rashami Desai, Faisal Rashid, and Neil Nitin Mukesh in pivotal roles.
In addition to Hisaab Barabar, Madhavan is set to appear in Karan Johar’s yet-untitled biopic of C. Sankaran Nair, directed by Karan Singh Tyagi. The film, adapted from the book The Case That Shook the Empire by Raghu Palat and Pushpa Palat, explores Nair’s historic legal battle against the British Raj. Madhavan will star alongside Akshay Kumar and Ananya Panday in the Dharma Productions and Leo Media Collective collaboration.
With an exciting slate of projects and his grounded approach to fame, Madhavan continues to be a cherished and versatile figure in Indian cinema.