R Madhavan: One Gets Only a Few Chances to Star in a Love Story
For an entire generation, R Madhavan will always be the man who made us believe in the power of love. From Rehnaa Hai Terre Dil Mein, Alaipayuthey to Tanu Weds Manu, and countless others, his characters have always become a fan favourite. In his latest film Aap Jaisa Koi, the actor returns to the romantic genre. This film is not about rekindling youthful fantasy; it’s about embracing love as it evolves with age, experience, and emotional grace.
Madhavan plays Shrirenu Tripathi, a 42-year-old Sanskrit teacher from Jamshedpur who finds himself opening up in unexpected ways after meeting Madhu Bose, a confident and self-assured French teacher in her 30s, played by Fatima Sana Shaikh. Talking about it, he says, “I didn’t choose this to go back to romance. I chose it because it was an interesting story, age-appropriate, and topical.” He adds, “There are only a few chances left to star in a love story and fewer that feel this honest.”
About working with Fatima, he says, “She’s a dynamic, younger actor and I had to make sure the pairing looked palatable. But she’s also incredibly charming, and I have a lot of affection and respect for her. It was honestly too short a shoot!”
Fatima, for her part, calls Madhavan “emotionally intelligent and sharp,” saying, “I learned something from him every day on set.” In Aap Jaisa Koi, Shrirenu is forced to confront his inherent biases and confront his inadequacies. The film’s central idea of equal love resonated deeply with him. Madhavan continues, “A story like this accelerates how we redefine love and relationships in today’s world. Without it, that messaging takes longer to reach the audience.”
Directed by Vivek Soni, Aap Jaisa Koi is streaming on Netflix. It also stars Ayesha Raza, Manish Chaudhary, Namit Das, Karan Wahi, Saheb Chatterjee and Ananya Chatterjee among others.
Also Read: Exclusive: “I Have to Fall in Love With My Heroine to Be Able to Give That Chemistry” – R Madhavan
