Madhavan says male actors must be cautious when working with younger female co-stars: ‘People feel, yeh picture ke bahaane aish kar raha hai'

Indian Express

a day ago

R Madhavan, 55, starred opposite Fatima Sana Shaikh, 33, in the recent romantic comedy drama Aap Jaisa Koi. In the film, Madhavan played the role of a middle-aged man looking for a bride. In a recent interaction, he spoke about ageing and also admitted that he has to be careful about his heroines, as he doesn't want it to seem like he is having fun with a younger female actor under the pretext of a film.
Speaking to Hindustan Times, he admitted, 'One of the first times you get hit about your age is when your kids' friends start calling you 'uncle'. It hits you by shock, but then you have to come to terms with it.'
Madhavan also spoke about how older actors should be cautious while working alongside younger female actors. He explained, 'When you are doing movies, you realise that you have to be careful in the choice of heroines, because even though they still want to work with you, it might look like the (male) actor is having fun under the pretext of the movie. People feel yeh picture ke bahaane aish kar raha hai (People feel that he is having fun under the pretext of the film). If that is the overwhelming feeling coming out of a movie, then woh character ke liye respect nahi rehta hai (that character won't get respect).'
The Kesari Chapter 2 actor also admitted that he himself has aged, acknowledging that he cannot do certain things that he used to when he was younger. He added, 'There is also the realisation that my body strength is not such that I can do things like a 22-year-old. It's essential for me to realise that age appropriateness and the kind of people I'm working with, are aligned so that it doesn't look sleazy.'
Although Aap Jaisa Koi received mixed reviews, the performances of both Madhavan and Fatima were praised. Helmed by Vivek Soni, the movie also featured Ayesha Raza, Manish Chaudhary and Namit Das in key roles.