R Madhavan's Drastic Transformation to Secure Inbasekar Role in Mani Ratnam's Aayutha Ezhuthu
In a fascinating revelation about his collaboration with acclaimed director Mani Ratnam, actor R Madhavan has shared the extraordinary lengths he went to in order to secure the role of Inbasekar in the 2004 political action drama Aayutha Ezhuthu. Contrary to initial expectations, Madhavan was not interested in playing the conventional "lover boy" character and instead fought passionately for a more complex and challenging part.
Rejecting the Lover Boy Archetype for a Grittier Character
During a recent appearance on The Filmy Hustle podcast, Madhavan disclosed that Mani Ratnam originally offered him the role of Arjun Balakrishnan, which was eventually portrayed by Siddharth in the Tamil version. This character was essentially a romantic lead who falls for Trisha's character. However, Madhavan had different aspirations. "I was very keen to do it, but I didn't want to do Siddharth's role," he explained. "That's the role he had in mind for me. Again, a lover boy who meets Trisha and everything. When I heard the story, I told him I should play Inbasekar."
When Ratnam questioned his reasoning, Madhavan confidently asserted that Inbasekar had the best lines in the film, a claim that initially offended the director. Ratnam informed him that another actor had already been finalized for the role, with filming scheduled to begin in just two months. Undeterred, Madhavan requested a month to reconsider and embarked on a remarkable physical and mental journey to prove his suitability for the part.
A Radical Physical Metamorphosis to Convince the Director
To embody the rugged and intense nature of Inbasekar, Madhavan undertook a series of drastic measures. "I shaved off my head. I played golf without sunscreen, and became really, really tanned. I built up my muscles, and became literally unrecognizable," he recounted. This transformation was so profound that even the security personnel at Ratnam's office, who were present due to threats the director had received following his film Roja, failed to recognize the actor.
When Madhavan arrived unannounced during lunchtime, Ratnam was initially displeased by the intrusion. However, upon seeing the actor's completely altered appearance, he was taken aback. "He came out, looked at me, and said, 'Yes?' I couldn't handle the situation and started smiling. He said, 'Maddy?'" Madhavan then posed the crucial question: "Do I look the part?" Ratnam's affirmative response marked the beginning of Madhavan's journey into the psyche of Inbasekar.
Studying Animal Behavior to Master the Character's Essence
Ratnam described Inbasekar as "a tough guy" with a troubled past, labeling him "an animal." To grasp this concept, Madhavan turned to an unconventional source: National Geographic documentaries. With only two days to prepare for his screen test, he observed a pack of lions hunting a deer. "I saw a pack of lions chasing down a deer. There's a fear for life in the deer's eyes. He's running for it left, right, and centre. Eventually, one of the lions pounces on him, chokes him, tears him apart, and has his meat," he detailed.
What struck Madhavan was the lion's demeanor during the violent act. "But during the entire attack, there's no anger on the lion's face. It's the most violent act, but for the lion, it's like another day, having lunch. There's no wrath or excitement for the kill. He had absolute peace in his eyes while choking the deer." This observation became the cornerstone of his portrayal. "And that's the moment I figured out that's what Mani sir wants. Even though Imba was a hard, natural-born killer, there's no anger. When he's killing, he's just doing his job. He just does it like washing his hands," Madhavan elaborated.
Legacy of Aayutha Ezhuthu and Its Multilingual Adaptations
Aayutha Ezhuthu is notable for its star-studded ensemble and its Hindi adaptation, Yuva, released in the same year. The film featured Suriya in a role that Ajay Devgn essayed in the Hindi version. In Yuva, Abhishek Bachchan played Madhavan's part as Inbasekar, while Vivek Oberoi took on Siddharth's role. The cast also included Rani Mukerji and Kareena Kapoor in the Hindi version, with Esha Deol being the only actor to appear in both the Tamil and Hindi iterations.
This anecdote underscores Madhavan's dedication to his craft and his willingness to push boundaries to secure roles that resonate with him artistically. His collaboration with Mani Ratnam, spanning films like Alai Payuthey, Kannathil Muthamittal, and Guru, is enriched by such instances of creative conviction and transformative effort.
