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"I am yet to become a superstar in Bollywood''

The lukewarm response that R. Madhavan has received in terms of success in Bollywood hasn't deterred the actor from venturing into the arena whenever opportunity presented itself, observes Bindu Shajan Perappadan

If you can look beyond his nagging middle bulge and shadow of a double chin, South Indian superstar R. Madhavan fits the chocolate teen heartthrob image to perfection.

This young graduate from Jamshedpur who wasn't really looking for a career in films initially conducted his own public speaking and communication skills classes and claims to have been "just another content office goer''.

This phase lasted only till offers from the small screen started pouring in and he realised that he could not resist the life of grease paint and bright lights of tinsel town. Madhavan then took the plunge deciding to give acting his `best shot'.

And `best shot' it was with his television stint proving to be very successful. Madhavan soon had to his credit serials including `Sea Hawks' with Om Puri, `Ghar Jamai' with Satish Shah and `Banegi Apni Baat'.

His dream run, however, had only just begun with his work on the small screen becoming a stepping-stone for the big screen. Soon with several south India films to his credit, the actor made his debut as a hero in Hindi film `Rehna Hai Tere Dil Mein'.

"I tried a variety of career options before I decided that it was films that would work for me. After my success on the small screen when I decided that I was ready for the big screen friends warned me against quitting a successful career, but I had already done that before by saying goodbye to my comfortable business and this time round I knew I was ready to do it again. It just agreed with my philosophy to keep moving on. Today I am happy that I followed my heart and was not directed by my fear,'' says Madhavan speaking about his early days in tinsel town.

The actor was in the Capital this past week to promote his new game show on Sony `Deal Ya No Deal'.

Today with hit South Indian films under his belt including - "Ennavale'', "MinnalePaarthale Paravasam'', "Kannathil Muthamittal'' and "Aaitha Ezhutu'' -- for which he received much critical acclaim, Madhavan also finally got recognition as a versatile actor. "While I admit that I did take my time learning the tricks of the film industry and appreciating the finer nuances and dynamics, it is also true that from day one I don't remember feeling awkward at all in front of the camera,'' says the actor.

"I am selective about my work and my simple mantra of choosing films is that I should be convinced about the story and should be able to enjoy doing it. I have had the opportunity to act with some of the most prominent directors. For instances I am the only actor to have had an opportunity to act in four movies directed by Mani Ratnam and I am proud of the fact that I got this opportunity,'' says Madhavan.

However, the lukewarm response that he has received in terms of success in Bollywood hasn't deterred the actor from venturing into the arena whenever opportunity presented itself.

"Though my recent film `Ramji Londonwaley' did not do very well and I am yet to become a superstar in Bollywood, I am not uncomfortable there. I know for a fact that I have been well accepted in the Hindi film industry. I know I have a market, it may not be big but it's there,'' asserts the actor.

But it isn't only just films that keep this slightly plump and very good-looking actor on the move.

"I love doing films and there is absolutely nothing else in life that that I rather be doing. However, recently the thought of sitting down to write a book has been nagging me. Well, I would probably write a book about my life and how it has taken its own course allowing me to just about catch up with it. So far there have been no rest zones or any major falls in my life and I hope to keep climbing and moving forward. Besides that, I am looking forward to reading the book "The Monk Who Sold his Ferrari'' and, of course, the book that I like to read the best is a prosperous cheque book,'' quips the actor.

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