As R Madhavan turns 53, he recalls his song appearance in Is Raat Ki Subah Nahin, “It was a beautiful duet composed by MM Keeravani”

By Subhash K. Jha -

June 1, 2023 - 3:11 PM IST

Madhavan, who turns 53 today, has never been conscious of his stardom. When satellite television was in its infancy Maddy did Banegi Apni Baat, which made him a kind of household heartthrob. Soon after, Mani Ratnam took a fancy to him and launched him in Tamil cinema through Alai Payuthey. It came to Hindi audiences as Saathiya but lacked the spontaneous charm of the original. Probably because there was no Madhavan in the remake.

As R Madhavan turns 53, he recalls his song appearance in Is Raat Ki Subah Nahin, “It was a beautiful duet composed by MM Keeravani”

But Maddy’s actual debut in cinema, no one knows about. The actor revealed, “I played a singer crooning at party in Sudhir Mishra’s Is Raat Ki Subah Nahin. It was a beautiful duet ‘Chup Tum Raho Chup Hum Rahe’ composed by the genius MM Keeravani. He also sang for me. And the wonderful Chithra sang for actress Smriti Mishra who accompanied me on screen. That was my beginning in cinema.”

Cut to Rocketry, Madhavan’s new passion, a biopic on scientist Nambi Narayanan a former scientist from the Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO) who was wrongly accused of espionage.

Said Maddy, “It broke my heart that this man who gave his life to work for his country was so shoddily treated. There was not a lot of evidence against him. He was still branded a spy. This was a story I had to tell to the world. I realize biopics on anti-social characters are popular. But sometimes, one just needs to do the right thing, irrespective of what the outcome at the box office might be.”

Madhavan has never shied away from taking risks. At a time when television was considered a medium for losers, he did Sea Hawks and Banegi Apni Baat. They made him a star on the home medium.

Madhavan is the original boy-next-door, the chocolaty boy-next-door. After Alai Payuthey in Tamil and Rehnaa Hai Terre Dil Mein in Hindi, Maddy was a rage with women of every age. They would scream hysterically the minute they spotted him.

He married the woman he loves, the wonderful Sarita Birje; his anchor, touchstone, companion and soul mate. “Sarita has given me a beautiful home, a wonderful son and a fabulous life. I wonder what I would have been without her. Certainly not the person that I am,” said Madhavan.

What are you? I ask. He grinned, “You tell me.”

Grounded, sensible, gentle, considerate and faithful to the ones you love. Never change.

Also Read: 8 years of Tanu Weds Manu Returns: R Madhavan on working with Kangana Ranaut, “She is a wonderful, supportive and genial co-star”