R. Madhavan Took a Four-Year Acting Break, Traveled Across India with a Beard, and Learned Life Lessons from a Swiss Farmer

R. Madhavan recently revealed that he had taken a four-year break from acting, deliberately staying away from films before making a strong comeback. During this period, an encounter with a foreign farmer left him feeling humbled, and he also interacted with auto-rickshaw drivers across India to gain perspective.

Taking a Break for Creative Renewal
Madhavan disclosed that he stepped away from films in 2011 due to dissatisfaction with the kind of roles he was doing at the time. He returned in 2016 with Saala Khadoos, marking a shift from his earlier romantic roles to more serious, diverse performances. In a recent interview, he described this hiatus as essential for his creativity, ultimately shaping what he now calls the “second phase” of his career.

A Humbling Experience Abroad
Speaking to Unfiltered Entertainment, Madhavan recalled a pivotal moment during a foreign shoot. He said, “I was filming a Tamil song in Switzerland, wearing orange pants and a green shirt, standing in the middle of the street. I noticed a Swiss farmer watching us with utter disdain while sipping his tea. That moment made me think—if you come to Chennai, I’ll show you who I really am.”

Realizing His True Potential
What initially hurt him was the realization of how little he was contributing creatively. Madhavan reflected, “I felt terrible at first, but then I realized I was dancing to someone else’s tune. I can speak publicly, handle guns, fly remote-controlled planes, ride horses—I do so much! Yet none of this was showing in my films. I was only trying to please the audience to become a superstar, and that was my mistake.”

Support from Wife Sarita Birje
Madhavan also shared that his wife, Sarita Birje, noticed his growing disengagement. He recalled, “Even with the roles I was taking, like a hungry, underprivileged village boy trying to make it in cricket, they didn’t feel authentic. Sarita asked me, ‘What’s wrong? You seem like you don’t want to be at work.’ Her words really resonated with me.”

Intentional Hiatus from Work
During his four-year break, Madhavan deliberately stayed away from films and advertisements. He explained, “I wanted to understand the direction in which our country is moving. I stopped doing ad films, grew a beard, and traveled extensively across Chennai and India. I spoke to auto-rickshaw drivers to understand what really matters to them—the real value of the things that trouble them. That four-year experience probably sustains me even today.”

Padma Shri Recognition
Recently, Madhavan was awarded the prestigious Padma Shri for his contributions to cinema. Sharing the honor on Instagram, he described it as a recognition beyond his dreams.

On the Work Front
R. Madhavan was last seen in Aditya Dhar’s film Dhurandhar, which performed exceptionally well at the box office. He will next appear in Dhurandhar 2, scheduled for release on 19 March. Prior to Dhurandhar, he featured alongside Ajay Devgn and Rakul Preet Singh in De De Pyaar De 2.