Exclusive - R Madhavan talks about his role in Hisaab Barabar: Had to unlearn star mannerisms and learn how it felt to be a common man

For his latest OTT movie, Hisaab Barabar, he had to "unlearn" his characteristic body language as a celebrity and tap into the vulnerability of a common man.

When asked to name a role that he is particularly proud of, he cited 'Rocketry: The Nambi Effect,' in which he played the lead role of Nambi Narayanan. "That was meant for me," he said, highlighting the uncanny resemblance he shared with the real-life character.

When asked about his ability to effortlessly transition between big-screen and OTT projects, he attributed it to the privilege he has earned through his years of hard work.

On the potential remake of Rehnaa Hai Tere Dil Mein, a film that has become a cult classic, Madhavan said: "It's a big challenge," highlighting the fact that they will have to cater to a new generation of audiences while remaining true to the original film's spirit.

Excerpts from the exclusive interview:

How do you choose a project?

Madhavan: Actually, when you hear a project, we want to see if there is clarity amongst the makers on what medium they want to release a project. Because, no matter how excellent stories like Railway Men, Breathe, or Decoupled might be, they only belong in short-form, multiple-episode series kind of stories. Similarly, if I try to make a movie out of Railway Men, it's a big blunder. At the same time, Shaitaan is meant for theatrical. It has got the larger than life. It's got the hell, the hail, and the brimstone being showered upon it. So it belongs on the large screen. Yet there are some stories that need to be seen as a movie but on the small screen.

Hisaab Barabar is one of those. It doesn't have any bombastic visuals or bombastic action sequences, but it is yet a film that has to be a story that has to be told in the duration of a film. And it's fast-paced, thought-provoking storytelling. And that's why it belongs on the OTT. So for me to confirm a project, I want to make sure that there is clarity amongst the makers, and with respect to their storyboard, what medium they want to release it in. Once I think that there is a synergy in that, then I see the intent behind how or why the project is being made. Is it being made because they have the right actors in place and the budgets are falling in place, and it's a good, safe project to make, which is fair enough?

Why did you say yes to Hisaab Barabar?

Madhavan: Similarly, with Hisaab Barabar, when he has the ability to make a movie with anybody, this one has to be about a common man who takes on a system, who takes on a reign of terror and brings it down. And that's why it appealed to me, and that's why it's a yes.

Do you still get jitters on the first day of the shoot?

Madhavan: Oh, worse. Every time I start a new film, every year, every project, it becomes even worse. So, I think that's also good because I don't take what I've achieved for granted. In fact, every release and every first day of shooting becomes even more difficult for me to handle today than ever before. And therefore, I'm excited about it, and I feel nervous. And, it's not about juggling. It's just about staying relevant. I think the biggest achievement or superstar in today's world is Mr. Amitabh Bachchan or Rajnikanth, for instance. At their age, being able to play the kind of roles that they are playing and demanding the kind of attention, respect, and salary is truly the biggest blessing.

Is the advent of OTT a boom for actors to explore different genres and roles?

Madhavan: Absolutely agree with you. All talent have found recognition because of OTT. They've also moved from OTT to movies as well. So, OTT has definitely been a bone in disguise for a lot of creative people.

How did you prepare for the role of a simple TT in Hisaab Barabar? Any specific changes?

Answer: Being a celebrity and a successful actor for 25 years, the body language changes over a period of time when you walk in. With Hisaab Barabar, I had to unlearn that, learn how it felt to be a common man, and show that vulnerability. Because as a hero, you're so inclined to show that heroism in your body language—to show, to deliver lines like how a hero is supposed to call the claptraps, like the one I did in Shaitan, for instance. But in his Hisaab Barabar, it had to be real. It had to be very, very believable. We had to see the vulnerability and then finally see the strength shine through that vulnerability.

Your thoughts on the evolving landscape of Indian cinema and the growing popularity of OTT platforms?

Madhavan: I think the appeal is fabulous. How many Korean films do you think you have seen in theaters in India? Yeah. But the amount of people who are fans of Korean content around the country is Yes. Ridiculous. They've been all watched on small screens. So, and their popularity is such that the youngsters and Gen Z's know more about their Korean stars' names than they know about Indian stars. So I think we have to make sure that we cater to all of them and become aspirational as an Indian storytelling industry ourselves, which is what the endeavor is.

Which roles do you consider to be your most memorable? Are there any characters played by other actors that you thought you could have done better?

Madhavan: The one role that I'm very happy and proud of how I did it was Rocketry, Nambi Narayanan, because of the uncanny resemblance that I had to him. And that was, I think, meant for me. So, that is a role that I would give 100% to. There aren't many films that I can do that others can do. If a role has been done by me, then the people who attempted to remake it or to redo it have actually failed. In fact, if I had tried to do it also, I would have failed. So, I think you should leave my roles alone.

Ques: What was it that actually pulled you towards the role in Hisaab Barabar?

Madhavan: Hisaab Barabar reminded me of the heroes in mind, the strength of a common man. Like my dad, like your dad—people who want to be left alone with their devices. They don't have any great aspirations. They just want to follow the role, follow the law, you know, pay their taxes, you know, and they have small but firm dreams. But the moment where the world gets in between their dreams and their desires, that's when the common man has the ability to, you know, turn from a David to a Goliath. And that's what I really like.

How did you manage to transform from Bollywood to OTT smoothly?

Madhavan: Well, I think that's the privilege that I've earned, and I've become, kind of, the audience to have slotted me. It didn't come overnight. That reputation has not come overnight. It has come through multiple years of questioning myself and feeling insecure about myself and doing the kind of work that I thought I should do.

And now when people talk about it, it feels that all those sacrifices were well worth it.

Rehnaa Hai Tere Dil Mein Remake Possible?

Madhavan: It's a big challenge because, if it had only appealed to the generation for which it was made and released in, then it becomes okay to make a remake. But it had a rerelease in theaters, and Gen Z and Gen X were all singing the songs and understanding it, and they were interpreting it in their own way. And, with the new era of people coming and calling things, I have a problem with the word 'problematic,' and, in fact, people like I do, in my opinion. But, them saying there were issues about the movie, but then it didn't matter; people went to the theater, and they saw it. They enjoyed it, and they clapped and whistled and danced. So there's something honest about that film. There's something honest about the way we portrayed the characters and their challenges. If you had to remake it today, then you have to take a lot of these people into consideration. I can't just make it for my generation. I have to make it for really Gen Z also. I think it's a tall task.

As Madhavan continues to navigate the ever-changing landscape of Indian cinema, his passion for storytelling and his commitment to his craft remain unwavering. With a career spanning 25 years, he has established himself as one of the most respected and beloved actors of his generation.

Madhavan was earlier seen in OTT projects like Railway Men and Breathe in 2023. His recent OTT film, Hisaab Barabar, is streaming on Zee5.

Watch full video interview here: