Acting was not Madhavan's first love. He was Maharastra's best NCC cadet, trained with British Army. Why he could not join Indian Army?
is celebrated today for his charming on-screen presence and versatile performances across Hindi, Tamil, Telugu, English, Kannada, and Malayalam films. However, long before his career in television and cinema, his ambition lay far from the entertainment industry. His first dream was to wear the uniform of the
Indian Army
.
A Promising Start in NCC
During his youth, Madhavan was deeply involved in the National Cadet Corps (NCC) and excelled as a cadet. His dedication and performance earned him the title of Maharashtra's Best NCC Cadet, an achievement that led to a rare opportunity — training with the British Army, the Royal Navy, and the Royal Air Force in England. According to various reports, he was among only eight cadets selected for this prestigious program.
Productivity Tool
Zero to Hero in Microsoft Excel: Complete Excel guide
By Metla Sudha Sekhar
View Program
Finance
Introduction to Technical Analysis & Candlestick Theory
By Dinesh Nagpal
View Program
Finance
Financial Literacy i e Lets Crack the Billionaire Code
By CA Rahul Gupta
View Program
Digital Marketing
Digital Marketing Masterclass by Neil Patel
By Neil Patel
View Program
Finance
Technical Analysis Demystified- A Complete Guide to Trading
By Kunal Patel
View Program
Productivity Tool
Excel Essentials to Expert: Your Complete Guide
By Study at home
View Program
Artificial Intelligence
AI For Business Professionals Batch 2
By Ansh Mehra
View Program
Upon returning to India, Madhavan set his sights on joining the Indian Army. However, a strict age criterion stood in his way. He was six months older than the maximum age limit for selection, and despite his credentials, the rule was non-negotiable. This unexpected roadblock closed the door to his military career.
Life After the Army Dream
With his military aspirations cut short, Madhavan shifted focus to academics. He earned a BSc degree in electronics and later pursued a post-graduation in public speaking. His skills in communication led him to teach personality development and public speaking courses. In 1992, he represented India at the Young Businessmen Conference in Tokyo, further highlighting his multi-faceted abilities.
Madhavan's screen career began modestly with a sandalwood talc advertisement in 1996, followed by appearances in popular television series such as Banegi Apni Baat and Sea Hawks. His performances soon drew attention, paving the way to films. Over the years, he gained popularity with roles in Rehna Hai Tere Dil Mein, 3 Idiots, and several critically acclaimed regional films.
Fans React to NCC Photos on Reddit
Old photographs of Madhavan from his NCC cadet days recently resurfaced on Reddit, sparking a wave of admiration. Users were quick to comment on his fitness and discipline during that period, with many expressing surprise at this lesser-known chapter of his life.
Some noted that his military background explains his convincing performances in roles such as an Air Force pilot in Aarohan and an IAF officer cameo in Rang De Basanti. Others remarked on the diverse range of experiences he has had, saying it feels as though he has 'lived many different lives.'
Madhavan On Work Front
Off-screen, Madhavan is a committed vegetarian and an advocate for animal rights. He has been associated with PETA for many years and was named the 'Cutest Male Vegetarian' by the organisation in 2006.
Most recently, Madhavan appeared in Aap Jaisa Koi on Netflix, alongside Fatima Sana Shaikh. He will next be seen in De De Pyaar De 2, slated for release on November 14, and in Aditya Dhar's action thriller Dhurandhar, scheduled for December 5.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Time of India
an hour ago
- Time of India
Stars rally for lasting tribute to Vishnuvardhan
Kannada film fraternity condemns overnight razing of Vishnuvardhan's memorial The sudden overnight demolition of a structure at Kannada cinema legend Dr Vishnuvardhan 's memorial, located within Abhiman Studio, has sent shockwaves across the Kannada film fraternity and his legion of fans. The unexpected action, reportedly carried out under court orders with police protection, has ignited widespread grief and outrage. The act has also attracted strong condemnation from several prominent actors. It was like seeing a temple being destroyed: Sudeep Actor Sudeep, who shared a deep bond with the late actor Vishnuvardhan, expressed his heartbreak in an emotional video. 'Vishnuvardhan is not just a name — he is an emotion. When I heard the memorial was torn down, it was like seeing a temple—the one we prayed at for years—being destroyed. They say it was done under High Court orders, but earlier, we had fought hard through ministers and the government to save it. I had offered to bear any cost required. Those in power could have stopped it with a small effort — they didn't. Now, instead of begging, let's focus on what can be done next. I have said this before, and I will say it again, 'Cry for ten minutes, but on the eleventh, think about the next step.' Now, as Vishnu sir's fans, let's think about what needs to be done next. Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Use an AI Writing Tool That Actually Understands Your Voice Grammarly Install Now Undo by Taboola by Taboola I have spoken to the chief of Dr Vishnu Sir's fan association, and they are planning to build a grand, tall statue of the actor. I will help in every way possible.' Insult to such an achiever is not right: Dhruva Sarja Actor Dhruva Sarja took to social media to voice his disapproval: 'There is no death for a true achiever, nor for art… Vishnu Appaji is immortal… Why does a person who has built a temple in the hearts of crores of Kannadigas need a memorial? Yet, in this land, such an insult to such an achiever is not right. It causes immense pain to the heart. I stand honestly with the fans of Vishnu Sir. I am waiting for your next move. Jai Kannadambe, Vishnu Dada is immortal. ' This should never have happened: Anirudh Jatkar Actor Anirudh Jatkar, Vishnuvardhan's son-in-law, revealed that the family was unaware of the demolition plans. 'This should never have happened. Everyone in Karnataka knows how sacred that place is. For fans, it's not just a location — it's a place of love, respect, and emotional connection,' he said. Anirudh added, 'We had no idea the memorial was being taken down.' Describing the demolition as 'deeply painful—impossible to put into words,' he also emphasised their repeated requests to allow fans access to the memorial for paying tribute. Grave disrespect to his personality, service to the arts: Rishab Shetty Filmmaker and actor Rishab Shetty condemned the demolition on social media, describing the act as 'condemnable.' He urged both fans and authorities to recognise the deep emotional connection people share with the late star. 'The incident involving Dr Vishnuvardhan Sir's memorial is unacceptable. This has inflicted a deep pain on every admirer who cherishes him sincerely. The recurrence of such incidents concerning one of the state's greatest actors is a grave disrespect to his personality and service to the arts. ' We must find a lasting solution immediately: Sriimurali Sriimurali wrote: 'The recent developments regarding our beloved Vishnuvardhan's memorial are deeply saddening and painful. Such acts of disrespect toward a great actor who dedicated his entire life to the Kannada film industry—and earned the love and admiration of the entire state through his extraordinary talent— are truly heartbreaking. We must all immediately come together to find a lasting solution for the construction and preservation of his monument. This is not merely about a structure; it symbolises the gratitude and reverence we hold for our Sahasimha.' This is truly disgraceful, shameful: Vasishta N Simha Actor Vasishta N Simha posted a heartfelt video denouncing the demolition. 'Something truly disgraceful, shameful, and unacceptable has happened. After years of struggle, we believed a logical end was in sight—a place where we, his fans, could gather to remember and celebrate Vishnu Sir. We had all been looking forward to it. But overnight, and in complete secrecy, the memorial has 'vanished'. There are no words worthy enough to describe those responsible—what they have done feels nothing short of a crime. This raises a painful question: did Vishnu Sir deserve such treatment? Has our state failed to honour an actor of his stature? Is there no value for his achievements, his personality, or the ideals he stood for? I despise those who plotted this demolition. My heart is deeply hurt.'
Time of India
an hour ago
- Time of India
Aparichite sheds light on the struggles and hopes of rural communities: Geetha Priya
Geetha Priya , who made her debut as both actor and producer with the recently released Kannada film Thayavva, is now set to star in Aparichite, a drama based on true events in rural India. She will share the screen with veteran actor Srinath. Produced by Amara Films and directed by Suresh Kumar Nagapal, the film also features Sindhu Lokesh, RJ Nikita, and Rohit Srinath. In the film, Geetha plays the role of a school teacher, a character she feels strongly connected to because of her passion for message-driven cinema. 'The story carries a strong social responsibility,' she says. 'It's about raising awareness of issues that still exist in our society. Cinema is such a powerful medium to educate people, and that's why I said yes.' 'Working alongside Srinath, a stalwart of Kannada cinema, has been an enriching experience for Geetha. 'He's humble, soft-spoken, and incredibly generous with his craft. There's so much to learn from his energy and dedication,' she adds. Speaking further, she adds, 'I want to break stereotypes about leading actors needing to fit conventional glamour standards. I cater to audiences who appreciate meaningful, heartfelt stories without unnecessary violence or glamour. For me, it's always about the message.'
Time of India
an hour ago
- Time of India
R Madhavan once recalled being duped by AI video of Cristiano Ronaldo calling Virat Kohli a 'legend': Anushka Sharma messaged me...'
Actor R Madhavan once shared a deepfake video. The video featured Cristiano Ronaldo praising Virat Kohli. Madhavan believed it was real. He even posted it on Instagram. Actress Anushka Sharma then alerted him. She told him it was AI-generated. Madhavan learned a lesson. He now verifies information before sharing. He was last seen in 'Aap Jaisa Koi'. R Madhavan once opened up about falling victim to a convincing deepfake video featuring football star Cristiano Ronaldo praising cricketer Virat Kohli . The mix-up only came to light when actress Anushka Sharma alerted him to the video's AI-generated nature. Mistakenly shared AI-generated video When asked if he had ever been scammed, Madhavan told Zee TV ME that he saw a video of Cristiano Ronaldo praising Virat Kohli, which he believed was genuine. He shared that the video showed Ronaldo admiring Kohli's batting and calling him a legend. Proudly, Madhavan forwarded the clip and even posted it on Instagram—only to later receive a message from Anushka Sharma warning him that it was a fake, created using AI. Lesson in verifying information The actor admitted he felt embarrassed but understood the importance of being cautious before sharing information. He explained that even someone like him, who considers himself aware, was easily fooled. After Anushka pointed out the video's flaws, he realized the seriousness of the issue and emphasized the need to verify the credibility of anything before forwarding it. Latest Projects On the professional front, R Madhavan was last seen in Aap Jaisa Koi, which also starred Fatima Sana Shaikh. Before that, he appeared in Test alongside Nayanthara and Siddharth. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like World's Most Luxurious Hotels: 13 Must-see Locations Learn More Undo He was also part of Hisaab Barabar, directed by Ashwni Dhir. The film, featuring Neil Nitin Mukesh and Kirti Kulhari, premiered at the 55th International Film Festival of India in November 2024. The story follows a railway ticket checker who uncovers systemic corruption after noticing small irregularities in bank transactions.
