R Madhavan Discusses Changing Views on Indian Men Worldwide

Post by : Mina Rahman

Actor R Madhavan recently reflected on the evolving perceptions of Indian men in the international arena. In a lively discussion with his De De Pyaar De 2 co-stars Ajay Devgn, Rakul Preet Singh, and Meezan Jafri, Madhavan humorously noted how, in the past, Indian men traveling abroad faced skepticism, particularly from white women who often thought they were merely flirting.

Madhavan remarked on the significant transformation that has occurred.

“Before, when we entered a bar overseas, white women viewed us as if we were there to flirt. Today, it's reversed—four white women approach an Indian, thinking he’s an entrepreneur. I haven’t yet seen this version of Indian masculinity portrayed in films,” Madhavan shared, chuckling.

The actor expressed a desire to see this confident, respected portrayal of Indian men represented more frequently in cinema.

Madhavan on the evolution of male characters in films

Madhavan also talked about how representations of men in movies have changed. He mentioned that while Indian cinema has made strides toward showcasing more complex and self-assured male characters, further improvement is needed. He observed that many filmmakers still craft narratives to satisfy their mentors instead of pursuing innovative, authentic storytelling.

“What hinders me currently is the industry's traditional mindset; they tend to create stories that please their mentors,” he explained.

Expressing interest in collaborating with progressive directors who blend contemporary sensibilities with meaningful narratives, Madhavan is set to appear in Anshul Sharma’s De De Pyaar De 2, the sequel to the 2019 hit featuring Ajay Devgn and Rakul Preet Singh. This film will continue the storyline from its predecessor and will be released in theaters on November 14.

Additionally, Madhavan stars in Dhurandhar, a film directed by Aditya Dhar, alongside stars like Ranveer Singh, Arjun, Akshaye Khanna, and Sanjay Dutt. Madhavan’s intense look from the film was recently unveiled by Ranveer, who referred to his character as the “Charioteer of Karma.” Dhurandhar is scheduled to be released on December 5, 2025, followed by a Netflix release.