Striking a neat balance between southern and Hindi films, R. Madhavan has created his own place on celluloid. While he starred in the biggest Tamil blockbusters like Alaipayuthey and Kannathil Muthamittal, he made a deep impact in Hindi films like Rang De Basanti, Guru and more recently in Mumbai Meri Jaan and 13-B. For the experimentative and adventurous actor, the script remains of prime importance. An evolving actor, he updates us about his forthcoming releases for the year just before taking off for Callaghary in Canada.“I am headed for the 20-year-union of Callaghary High School. I will meet my old friends there. I passed my 12th from Canada you see,” he explains.

Madhavan’s father was a senior management executive with Tata Steel and his mother a manager with the Bank of India, born in Jamshedpur he speaks Hindi most fluently. Despite being a Tamilian, his Hindi is most impeccable. Madhavan trained in Public Speaking and conducted classes in it as well.

His students urged him to try modelling and thus he landed in Mumbai. He became a successful model in print and electronic ads. He played major roles in tele- serials like Saaya, Sea Hawks, Banegi Apni Baat, Tol Mol Ke Bol and Ghar Jamai. A sandal talc ad film with Santosh Sivan got him introduced to Mani Ratnam. A new vista of super stardom opened before him. Mani Ratnam cast him as the romantic hero of Alaipayuthey (remade as Saathiya) and

R. Madhavan was catapulted to the starry orbit. Aayitha Ezhuthu (Hindi remake -Yuva) and Guru followed. The director-actor jodi worked magic at the box-office. But didn’t he miss being on Raavan? “I don’t think I suited any of the characters in Raavan and Mani Sir is very clear about casting me when I am suitable for a role. There was nothing in it for me now. But I am sure he will call me when there is something for me and we will work together again,” he states.

Madhavan’s next release would be BIG Films’ Sikander, “Which is about two kids from Kashmir who lose their innocence because of the atrocities happening around them. The film is in thriller format and it is about how they get to redeem their childhood. I play Lt Colonel Rao, a discompassionate man, who will do anything to get his job done,” he elaborates. Interestingly, he once wanted to join the defence forces, “I live that dream through my roles now,” guffaws the actor who had earlier donned the uniform in Rang De Basanti as well.

He’s just back from a gruelling outdoor of 3 Idiots in Ladakh and he gets breathless even today as he recalls the shoot. The best part about Ladakh, he says, is that it’s the most breathtaking place, it’s one of its kind in the world and he’s proud that it is a part of India. “The terrain is spectacular and most importantly it changes your concept of size completely, you realise how small you are in the big scheme of things,” he elaborates.

The worst part about Ladakh is that the emerald green Pegang Tso lake where they shot has no living form in it because it’s a salt water lake. “It’s quite dead–no trees, no fish, hardly any animals. There must be a reason why that place was created. I wish I could find the sensibility in it,” he muses. He says, Ladakh with its rarified air can make you feel like an old person, “You climb three flights and you are breathing like you just ran a marathon. People start losing oxygen, getting dizzy, giddy, It is very difficult to play happy and romantic people at that time. Aamir and Kareena have done a wonderful job. It is pretty challenging. You feel tired even after eating, you feel breathless,” he says, gasping mockingly.

Madhavan is happy working with A-listers of the industry, about Amitabh Bachchan and Ben Kingsley starring Teen Patti is ready, he gushes,”It’s an exciting project for me - I play a professor in it. It is a complete pleasure and a privilege working with Mr Bachchan. We all look very different in the film. Just watch out for this one,” he beckons.

He has just signed Anand Rai’s Tanu Weds Manu co-starring Kangna Ranaut, “We are going on the floors in the second week of September. I am really excited about it because it is a romantic film finally. It’s a lovely story...it has the smell of the soil...it is an earthy romance. It will be shot in up North and in and around Delhi,” he elaborates.

As for thumbing down Sanjay Gupta’s Miltey Hai, which would have paired him with his Guru co-star Vidya Balan, he says, “Miltey Hai was a victim of the recession, there was a problem with the budget. The whole film is being shot in the US, the deal wasn’t coming through.” Now Arjun Rampal replaces him in the film, which is about a couple who remarries after their divorce. As for capitalising on the romance and chemistry that the Airtel ads have generated between him and Vidya, he says they are both looking at a story that’s better than the advertisements. “We need an appropriate script,” he reasons.

Nishikant Kamat with whom he acted in Mumbai Meri Jaan and the Tamil remake of Marathi hit Dombivali Fast, there are no immediate plans of a film yet, “My hands are full right now, he’s working on his script,” says Madhavan.