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Maddy on his Guru

MADHAVAN on his mentor, forthcoming films and penning dialogue

REINVENTED Actor Madhavan

"Each time I complete a film with Mani Ratnam, I think it will be easy for me if and when I work with him again. I understand his method of working and we know each other personally and I feel we'd be on backslapping terms the next time around. We've done four films together and it's been progressively getting tougher. He's made me reinvent myself each time. It's challenging and rewarding as an actor." That's Madhavan, on working with his mentor.

Unlike his first three films with Ratnam, Madhavan has a short role in Guru. "I come in at a certain phase of Abhishek's life. I play a reporter and believe that in order to do good to society, one should not bend the laws of the land. This is where I differ from the protagonist and oppose his views."

The fun part of the project, recalls Madhavan, was when he had to knock off a few kilos. "I had to look like a young Turk. I took a month off, went on a vacation to the U.K. and played squash, tennis and badminton. I lost nine kg in a month."

Madhavan is equally elated that Rang De Basanti is the Indian entry for the Oscars. "It was wonderful to be part of the film."

Apart from Tamil films, Maddy will also been seen in Rituparno Ghosh's Hindi film, Sunglass and in a guest role in Delhi Heights. "I was happy to make a special appearance because the film was produced by Sivaji Productions and featured my friends, Neha Dhupia and Jimmy Shergill. I wouldn't say no to friends. In fact, while shooting for Ramji Londonwale, I wanted Mr. Bachchan to make a special appearance. But I didn't have the courage to ask him. To my surprise, someone had told him of my wish and he called up offering to do the part. He was gracious and didn't once make me feel that he's doing me a favour."

Talking of Sunglass, Madhavan refutes reports that he penned the dialogue. "Rituparno Ghosh is good with Bengali and his Hindi is fairly good. I just happened to help him with a few Hindi lines. I have written dialogue, not for Sunglass but my next Tamil film, Yevano Oruvan."

Madhavan describes 2007 as "a cramped year with films." Among them is a Ram Gopal Varma production.

SANGEETHA DEVI. K

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