R Madhavan is currently enjoying one of the busiest phases of his career, but the actor says there was a time when he had to pause, step back and rethink his relationship with work. In a recent interaction, Madhavan opened up about a lighter yet meaningful moment from his life during the COVID-19 pandemic, when a blunt remark from his wife, Sarita, pushed him to get back into action.
Over the years, Madhavan has built a reputation as a versatile actor, comfortably moving between Tamil, Hindi and English projects. In 2025 alone, he appeared in six films across different languages, making it one of his most productive years. However, this momentum followed a phase of introspection, during which the actor chose to take a four-year break from acting.
How R Madhavan got back to work during COVID?
Madhavan shared that stepping away from films helped him gain clarity about his priorities and creative choices. The break allowed him to return with renewed focus and a stronger sense of what excited him as an actor. He also spoke about gradually embracing OTT platforms, which offered him diverse roles and meaningful storytelling beyond traditional cinema.
While looking back at the phase, Madhavan recalled a humorous incident involving his wife during the pandemic. Speaking to the YouTube channel Unfiltered Entertainment, the actor said Sarita was surprised to see him at home despite his long-standing reputation for being constantly busy. He jokingly shared that she reminded him of the wide range of work he usually does, from Tamil films to Hindi and English projects, and questioned why he was suddenly sitting idle.
Madhavan added that during COVID in 2020, his wife bluntly asked him to step out and get back to work, even telling him to earn some money instead of staying home.
Beyond the joke, Madhavan explained that Sarita’s honest observation about his state of mind made him pause and reflect. He recalled her asking what was bothering him and pointing out that he seemed to approach work with the intention of finishing quickly and returning home, rather than enjoying the process. According to Madhavan, that simple remark struck a chord and helped him reassess his attitude towards his career.
The actor said this shift in mindset played an important role in how he approached projects after the break. He became more selective, choosing work that genuinely excited him and allowed him to grow creatively.
Madhavan's work front
Professionally, Madhavan is currently receiving praise for his performance in Dhurandhar, which stars Ranveer Singh in the lead role. The film’s sequel, Dhurandhar: The Revenge, is scheduled for a theatrical release on March 19, 2026. In addition to this, he was part of several projects this year, including Shaitaan, Hisaab Barabar, Test, Kesari Chapter 2, Aap Jaisa Koi and De De Pyaar De 2.
Adding to his achievements, Madhavan was recently honoured with the Padma Shri on the eve of Republic Day.
Over the years, Madhavan has built a reputation as a versatile actor, comfortably moving between Tamil, Hindi and English projects. In 2025 alone, he appeared in six films across different languages, making it one of his most productive years. However, this momentum followed a phase of introspection, during which the actor chose to take a four-year break from acting.
How R Madhavan got back to work during COVID?
Madhavan shared that stepping away from films helped him gain clarity about his priorities and creative choices. The break allowed him to return with renewed focus and a stronger sense of what excited him as an actor. He also spoke about gradually embracing OTT platforms, which offered him diverse roles and meaningful storytelling beyond traditional cinema.While looking back at the phase, Madhavan recalled a humorous incident involving his wife during the pandemic. Speaking to the YouTube channel Unfiltered Entertainment, the actor said Sarita was surprised to see him at home despite his long-standing reputation for being constantly busy. He jokingly shared that she reminded him of the wide range of work he usually does, from Tamil films to Hindi and English projects, and questioned why he was suddenly sitting idle.
Madhavan added that during COVID in 2020, his wife bluntly asked him to step out and get back to work, even telling him to earn some money instead of staying home.
Beyond the joke, Madhavan explained that Sarita’s honest observation about his state of mind made him pause and reflect. He recalled her asking what was bothering him and pointing out that he seemed to approach work with the intention of finishing quickly and returning home, rather than enjoying the process. According to Madhavan, that simple remark struck a chord and helped him reassess his attitude towards his career.
The actor said this shift in mindset played an important role in how he approached projects after the break. He became more selective, choosing work that genuinely excited him and allowed him to grow creatively.
Madhavan's work front
Professionally, Madhavan is currently receiving praise for his performance in Dhurandhar, which stars Ranveer Singh in the lead role. The film’s sequel, Dhurandhar: The Revenge, is scheduled for a theatrical release on March 19, 2026. In addition to this, he was part of several projects this year, including Shaitaan, Hisaab Barabar, Test, Kesari Chapter 2, Aap Jaisa Koi and De De Pyaar De 2.Adding to his achievements, Madhavan was recently honoured with the Padma Shri on the eve of Republic Day.