Exclusive: “I Have to Fall in Love With My Heroine to Be Able to Give That Chemistry” – R Madhavan

Actor R Madhavan and Fatima Sana Shaikh came together for the first time in Vivek Soni’s Aap Jaisa Koi, a heartfelt story about a middle-aged man, Shrirenu, who gets into a relationship with a French instructor, Madhu. The film explores how two people with completely different worldviews form a connection and evolve together. Their on-screen chemistry struck a chord with the audience, and Madhavan believes that kind of connection can’t be manufactured.

The actor added, “I remember meeting Fatima at a party and shaking hands with her. I remember telling her that she did a great job in her first film at some Filmfare event. When we went to Dharma’s office for the narration, I saw Fatima sitting there like a queen. But during the narration, we sat down together and started talking. So immediately, I knew that she was going to be fine. She knew her lines, she was on time…I really have to fall in love with my heroine in the film to be able to give that chemistry. The highest form of love is respect. If you don’t have that, then you can do anything, and that won’t be love.”

Sharing her experience of working with Madhavan for the first time, Fatima was all praises. “If a person is guarded, then you can’t approach them or get the opportunity to come into their space. But Madhavan is a very warm and open person. We clicked instantly. I respect him. He wasn’t just talking about his character. His ideas were very inclusive, and that made me feel protected and taken care of. Even on set, he was very protective,” says the actress.