Passion without boundaries: Rahul Madhav

Our over-the-phone conversation progresses in fits and starts. Rahul Madhav was caught amid the schedule of his next in Malayalam, Tiyaan, five kilometres away from Ramoji Film City. Giridhar, the high-flying young entrepreneur  he played in Kattappanayile Rithwik Roshan is marking new heights in his acting career on neighbourhood grounds. In Sandalwood, he is emerging, playing a pivotal role in Coffee Thotta by acclaimed director Sheshadri. In the second Kannada outing after Kiragoorina Gayyaligalu by director Sumana Kittur, Rahul is playing a ‘fun-loving, jovial, bubbly and likeable’ young musician.

“I signed the movie a month ago and it has been three months into the shoot. The location is in Chikmagalur. It’s a very good plot. Acting in another language really widens the horizon. I have been learning the language. Putting in a little more effort, I read the dialogues well ahead of beginning the shoot. Of the three prominent male characters, I am one,” says Rahul. Don’t know if it is Giridhar still lingering on, but Rahul also sounds soft-spoken and reserved. The former marketing sales executive probably had that character embedded in him before.

“I was working with a biotech company. Hence, I stayed in Chennai for five years. In the meantime, I got into small time acting in ad films in Tamil and appeared in some national ads. Before coming to Malayalam, I did two films in Kollywood - as male lead in one and second lead in the other,” he recaps. In Malayalam, his acting debut was in Bangkok Summer though the second one, Vadamalli had hit the screens first. The man known for not chasing meaty roles on the road to obtain the ‘hot-property’ title, is ready to give a shot to any challenging role coming his way. “Be it a hero, comedian or a psycho, I want to prove myself versatile and evolve into a good product ultimately,” he clarifies.

Quizzed about the audience reception to Giridhar, before giving an answer, he throws a question. “How do you feel about him? Is he worth it?” Without getting into self-analysis, he goes on saying he is ‘happy with viewers’ opinion’. Other than Tiyaan, Rahul is awaiting the release of Munthirivallikal Thalirkkumbol in which he will be seen as the brother-in-law of Mohanlal and younger brother of Meena.