R Madhavan on shifting global perception of Indian men

Actor R Madhavan recently opened up about how perceptions of Indian men have evolved internationally. During a candid chat with his De De Pyaar De 2 co-stars Ajay Devgn, Rakul Preet Singh, and Meezan Jafri, Madhavan humorously recalled how, years ago, Indian men traveling abroad were often met with skepticism, especially from white women who assumed they were trying to flirt.

Madhavan said things have changed drastically since then.

“Earlier, when we went abroad and entered a bar, all the white women would look at us like we were there to hit on them. Now, it’s the opposite — when an Indian walks in, four white women approach thinking he’s some entrepreneur. I haven’t seen that version of an Indian man in films yet,” Madhavan shared with a laugh.

The actor added that he would love to see this confident, respected image of Indian men reflected more often in cinema.

Madhavan on evolving male portrayals in films

Madhavan also discussed how male characters in films have evolved. He said that while Indian cinema has made progress in portraying more nuanced and self-assured men, there’s still room for change. He noted that many filmmakers still try to “please their mentors” rather than explore fresh, authentic storytelling.

“The thing that’s getting in my way right now is the filmyness of the industry — the way they think. They are making stories to please their mentors,” he said.

He expressed his interest in working with new-age directors who can blend modern sensibilities with meaningful narratives.

Madhavan will soon appear in Anshul Sharma’s De De Pyaar De 2, the sequel to the 2019 hit starring Ajay Devgn and Rakul Preet Singh. The film, produced by T-Series Films and Luv Films, continues the story from the first installment and releases in theatres on November 14.

The actor also stars in Dhurandhar, directed by Aditya Dhar, featuring Ranveer Singh, Arjun, Akshaye Khanna, and Sanjay Dutt. Ranveer recently revealed Madhavan’s intense look from the film, calling his character “Charioteer of Karma.” Dhurandhar will hit cinemas on December 5, 2025, followed by a Netflix premiere.