Actor R Madhavan recently shared insights on the shifting global perceptions of Indian men in an engaging conversation with his De De Pyaar De 2 co-stars Ajay Devgn, Rakul Preet Singh, and Meezan Jafri. He humorously recounted that in the past, Indian men traveling internationally often faced skepticism, particularly from white women who assumed they were merely seeking flirtation.
Madhavan noted that there has been a significant change.
“In the past, when we walked into a bar abroad, we would often be met with wary looks from white women, as they thought we were there just to flirt. Now, it’s a complete turnaround — when an Indian enters the scene, multiple white women approach him, believing he’s an entrepreneur. I haven't seen this updated representation of Indian men in films yet,” Madhavan humorously remarked.
The actor expressed a desire to witness this empowered and respected image of Indian men represented more frequently in cinema.
Madhavan on the Transformation of Male Characters in Cinema
Madhavan also spoke on the evolution of male roles in movies. Although Indian cinema has made strides in showcasing more layered and confident male protagonists, he believes there’s still progress to be made. He pointed out that many directors still aim to please their mentors rather than delve into innovative, genuine storytelling.
“What holds me back right now is the industry's adherence to outdated norms — the prevailing thought process. Filmmakers are more focused on pleasing their mentors,” he observed.
He conveyed a keen interest in collaborating with contemporary directors who fuse modern perspectives with significant narratives.
Madhavan is set to feature in Anshul Sharma’s De De Pyaar De 2, continuing the tale from the successful 2019 film starring Ajay Devgn and Rakul Preet Singh. This much-anticipated sequel will be released in theatres on November 14.
The actor will also appear in Dhurandhar, directed by Aditya Dhar, alongside stars like Ranveer Singh, Arjun, Akshaye Khanna, and Sanjay Dutt. Recently, Ranveer unveiled Madhavan’s intense look from the film, dubbing his character as the “Charioteer of Karma.” Dhurandhar is scheduled to release in cinemas on December 5, 2025, with a subsequent Netflix debut.
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