Madhoo, the actress who debuted with blockbusters Phool Aur Kaante and Roja, is currently promoting her new film Chinna Chinna Aasai, a Tamil-Malayalam bilingual. She describes it as an autumnal love story where she plays a 50-year-old woman who meets a 65-year-old stranger. The film was shot entirely in Varanasi, and Madhoo sacrificed her annual family time to be on set for a full month.
From Roja to Governor: A Versatile Career
Madhoo, whose real name is Madhoobala Raghunath Malini, has worked across Hindi, Telugu, Tamil, and now Malayalam cinema. She is currently seen as Manoj Bajpayee's Malayali wife in Governor, a role that brings warmth to the film. She says, "I love my work. Everybody knows about Roja; everybody knows about Phool Aur Kaante. Every movie has changed me a little bit."
Turning Point: Sweet Kaaram Coffee
Madhoo credits her return to the industry to the web series Sweet Kaaram Coffee. "My return to the movie industry and doing a web series like Sweet Kaaram Coffee was a turning point. It's a full-fledged role, and that makes a lot of difference," she explains. She balances acting with family life, stating, "I love being an actor, I love being a wife and, most importantly, I love being a mother. My daughters are my priority."
Sacrifice for Chinna Chinna Aasai
For Chinna Chinna Aasai, Madhoo made a significant sacrifice. "For one month, I stayed in Varanasi from start to finish. I sacrificed family time for Chinna Chinna Aasai," she says. Her family supported her decision: "My family was kind enough to adjust for me this year. My husband and children were okay without me. My brother, who had planned a Mumbai trip from the US, changed his entire schedule to accommodate me."
Pride in Governor and Future Plans
Madhoo is proud of Governor, calling it a good film and praising Manoj Bajpayee: "Manoj Bajpayee is a great actor and, no matter what he does, he is convincing." She is eager to do quality work, noting, "I'm an artiste, and that is something I discovered when I was not working. I loved my family time, but it's also amazing to be back in front of the camera."
