Ranganathan Madhavan (born 1 June 1970) is an Indian actor, writer and film producer. He has been described as one of the few actors in India who is able to achieve pan-Indian appeal, appearing in films from seven different languages. Madhavan has received two Filmfare Awards, an award from the Tamil Nadu State Film Awards alongside recognition and nominations from other organisations. Madhavan began his acting career with television guest appearances, including a role on the Zee TV prime-time soap opera Banegi Apni Baat in 1996. After appearing in commercials and in small roles, he later gained recognition in the Tamil film industry through Mani Ratnam's successful romance film Alaipayuthey (2000). In addition to his acting career, Madhavan has worked as a writer on his films, hosted television programmes and has been a prominent celebrity endorser for brands and products.[5] He has also worked as a film producer, first making Evano Oruvan with Leukos Films, before setting up Tricolour Films to produce Saala Khadoos (2016). Madhavan is noted for his philanthropic activities and promotes various causes such as environment, health and education. He is particularly vocal about the protection of animals and was awarded PETA's Person of the Year recognition in 2012.
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Biography from TMDB.
- June 1, 1970 (56)
- Jamshedpur, Jharkhand, India
- Actor, also writer, producer and director
- 37 on MovieCove · 78 credits in all
What are Madhavan's films like?
Across their 36 MovieCove titles with a thematic analysis, their films lean Bonds and Morality.
Genres
Their MovieCove films by primary genre. The badge is the typical Midcredits score of the genre's films, the median percentile; an up arrow marks a genre at or above their average across these genres.
Themes
What they feel like to watch
Ironic 0 · Wry 1 · Earnest 32
A split, not a type: Light 12 · Serious 11 · Dark 10
Grounded 13 · Stylized 18 · Heightened 2
A split, not a type: Gentle 8 · Charged 12 · Intense 13
Steady 11 · Shifting 15 · Whiplash 7
A split, not a type: Straight-faced 16 · Some laughs 11 · Funny 6
Slow burn 12 · Even-paced 19 · Relentless 2
Casual 14 · Engaged 14 · Full focus 5
A split, not a type: Easy watch 10 · Affecting 11 · Heavy 12
Resolved 26 · Open-ended 6 · Ambiguous 1
Roles they play
Usually the Hero: 19 of 30 analyzed roles.
Show the 30 rolesHide the roles
- Heroas Karthik in Alai Payuthey (2000)
- Heroas Aditya in Dum Dum Dum (2001)
- Mentoras Thiruchelvan in Kannathil Muthamittal (2002)
- Heroas Ramji in Nala Damayanthi (2003)
- Heroas Anbarasu in Anbe Sivam (2003)
- Heroas Sakthi in Rendu (2006)
- Shapeshifteras Shyam Saxena in Guru (2007)
- Heroas Aarya in Aarya (2007)
- Heroas Guru in Guru En Aalu (2009)
- Allyas Farhan Qureshi in 3 Idiots (2009)
- Heroas R. Manohar in 13B: Fear Has a New Address (2009)
- Heroas Manoj 'Manu' K. Sharma in Tanu Weds Manu (2011)
- Heroas Sid in Jodi Breakers (2012)
- Heroas Manu in Tanu Weds Manu Returns (2015)
- Mentoras Prabhu Selvaraj in Irudhi Suttru (2016)
- Heroas Vikram in Vikram Vedha (2017)
- Mentoras Kartik Srinivasan in Zero (2018)
- Shadowas Arun in Savyasachi (2018)
- Heroas Danny Mascarenhas in Breathe (2018)
- Threshold guardianas Anthony Gonsalves in Nishabdham (2020)
- Heroas Arya Iyer in Decoupled (2021)
- Mentoras Maara in Maara (2021)
- Heroas Nambi Narayanan in Rocketry: The Nambi Effect (2022)
- Heroas Rati Pandey in The Railway Men: The Untold Story of Bhopal 1984 (2023)
- Shadowas Vanraj Kashyap in Shaitaan (2024)
- Tricksteras Rakesh (likely comic role) in De De Pyaar De 2 (2025)
- Heroas Ajit Doval in Dhurandhar (2025)
- Heroas Shrirenu in Aap Jaisa Koi (2025)
- Heroas G.D. Naidu in G.D.N. (2026)
- Mentoras Ajay Sanyal in Dhurandhar: The Revenge (2026)
Moods and endings
- Happy13
- Bittersweet15
- Tragic1
- Ambiguous7
AI-generated from each title's plot synopsis and cast list, with extra plot summaries, reviews and Parents Guide notes for titles the model may not know, and the model's own knowledge of the ones it recognizes. Only analyzed titles count, so this covers part of the filmography; the feel axes count films only for now.
Where can I watch Madhavan's films?
As of October 24, 2026, 28 of their 37 MovieCove titles stream on a subscription or free service, most on Netflix (14).
- The Railway Men: The Untold Story of Bhopal 1984 (2023) · actor
- Dhurandhar: The Revenge (2026) · actor
- Guru (2007) · actor
- Dhurandhar (2025) · actor
- G.D.N. (2026) · actor, writer, producer
- Tanu Weds Manu Returns (2015) · actor
- Decoupled (2021) · actor
- Tanu Weds Manu (2011) · actor
- Shaitaan (2024) · actor
- De De Pyaar De 2 (2025) · actor
- Dhokha (2022) · actor
- Aap Jaisa Koi (2025) · actor
- +2 more
- ZEE5
Subscription and free streaming for Madhavan's titles on MovieCove; rent and buy are not counted. Titles are listed by Midcredits score, highest first, at most 12 per service; a dashed chip is a producer credit or a minor one, such as a thanks. A service opens the browse page, which counts movies only, so its number can differ.
Filmography
78 credits, 37 with a MovieCove page; 5 appearances as themselves are hidden until asked for.
G.D.N.(2026)
Midcredits score: 89th percentile of all films
Dhurandhar: The Revenge(2026)
Midcredits score: 97th percentile of all films
Dhurandhar(2025)
Midcredits score: 92nd percentile of all films
De De Pyaar De 2(2025)
Midcredits score: 60th percentile of all films
Aap Jaisa Koi(2025)
Midcredits score: 43rd percentile of all films
Kesari Chapter 2: The Untold Story of Jallianwala Bagh (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2025)
Test(2025)
Midcredits score: 31st percentile of all films
Hisaab Barabar (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2024)
Shaitaan(2024)
Midcredits score: 70th percentile of all films
Midcredits score: 98th percentile of all showsAmriki Pandit (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2022)
Dhokha(2022)
Midcredits score: 59th percentile of all films
Midcredits score: 99th percentile of all films
Decoupled(2021)
Midcredits score: 84th percentile of all shows
Maara(2021)
Midcredits score: 92nd percentile of all films
Putham Pudhu Kaalai(2020)
Midcredits score: 70th percentile of all films
Nishabdham(2020)
Midcredits score: 46th percentile of all films
Zero(2018)
Midcredits score: 34th percentile of all films
Savyasachi(2018)
Midcredits score: 35th percentile of all films
Breathe(2018)
Midcredits score: 94th percentile of all shows
Magalir Mattum(2017)
Midcredits score: 59th percentile of all films
Vikram Vedha(2017)
Midcredits score: 99th percentile of all films
Irudhi Suttru(2016)
Midcredits score: 93rd percentile of all films
Midcredits score: 7th percentile of all films
Tanu Weds Manu Returns(2015)
Midcredits score: 87th percentile of all films
Sunglass (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2013)
Jodi Breakers(2012)
Midcredits score: 6th percentile of all films
Vettai (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2012)
Tanu Weds Manu(2011)
Midcredits score: 76th percentile of all films
Manmadhan Ambu (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2010)
Teen Patti (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2010)
Om Shanti (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2010)
3 Idiots(2009)
Midcredits score: 99th percentile of all films
Sikandar (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2009)
Guru En Aalu(2009)
Midcredits score: 3rd percentile of all films
Midcredits score: 90th percentile of all films
Mumbai Meri Jaan (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2008)
Vaazhthugal (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2008)
Evano Oruvan (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2007)
Aarya(2007)
Midcredits score: 18th percentile of all films
Delhii Heights (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2007)
Guru(2007)
Midcredits score: 92nd percentile of all films
Rendu(2006)
Midcredits score: 17th percentile of all films
Thambi (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2006)
Rang De Basanti(2006)
Midcredits score: 97th percentile of all films
Ramji Londonwaley (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2005)
Kettavarellam Padalam (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2005)
Made in USA (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2005)
Priyasakhi (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2005)
Nothing but Life (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2004)
Aayitha Ezhuthu (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2004)
Aethiree (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2004)
Jay Jay (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2003)
Priyamaana Thozhi (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2003)
Nala Damayanthi(2003)
Midcredits score: 81st percentile of all films
Laysa Laysa(2003)
Midcredits score: 60th percentile of all films
Anbe Sivam(2003)
Midcredits score: 98th percentile of all films
Dil Vil Pyar Vyar (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2002)
Run (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2002)
Jeena Isi Ka Naam Hai (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2002)
Kannathil Muthamittal(2002)
Midcredits score: 99th percentile of all films
Paarthale Paravasam (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2001)
Rehnaa Hai Terre Dil Mein (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2001)
Dum Dum Dum(2001)
Midcredits score: 80th percentile of all films
Minnale (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2001)
Ennavale (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2000)
Alai Payuthey(2000)
Midcredits score: 99th percentile of all filmsSaaya (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1998)
Operation Cobra (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1997)
Ghar Jamai (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1997)
Is Raat Ki Subah Nahin (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1996)
Banegi Apni Baat (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1993)
4 Idiots (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)
Adhirshtasaali (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)
Bridge (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)
Circle (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)
Legacy (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)
Shaitaan 2 (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)
Career shape
Star power in the 99th percentile of 239,109 people with a billed film role, over a full career of 78 titles, 72 of them dated from 1993 to 2026; peak year 2025.
Biggest box office
Alai Payuthey (2000)
Highest rated
Rocketry: The Nambi Effect (2022)
Most popular right now
Dhurandhar (2025)
Film career
Peak 2025 · at the high point of their film career. Top draw in 15 MovieCove titles. Film roles by billing, audience size and rating; 25+ votes. A show carries a single first-air date, so shows are not on the curve.
- 2000Screen debut· Alaipayuthey
- 2000First top-billed film· Alaipayuthey
- 2009Career best· 3 Idiots
- 2018Career best· Breathe
Billing
Counts from TMDB across their full career, self appearances out; a title counts in every role they held on it. The ring is the typical Midcredits score (the median percentile) of the role's titles that are on MovieCove, shown from 5 scored. Billing is TMDB cast order for roles with 25+ votes, billed in the top 30; the columns are the share of top-billed roles in each era, 5-year spans from the year on the label, merged until each holds at least 5 roles.
How do Madhavan's films land?
Their typical MovieCove film has a Midcredits score in the 78th percentile, the median of all 34; across their 33 films with reception data, the typical film sits in the 73rd percentile for acclaim.
- 75th and up21
- 50th to 74th6
- 25th to 49th5
- Below 25th5
Shape of the crowd
13 of their 37 titles are Universally Loved.
- Universally Loved13
- Universally Panned2
- Loved with Detractors1
- Divisive1
- Cult Classic3
- Crowd Pleaser8
- Mixed9
Reviewers score the acting 75/100 in their films, across 29 reviewed titles; fans 84, detractors 49. The element that speaks to their work as an actor.
Percentiles are each film's standing among all films on MovieCove; the typical film is the median, so one outlier cannot drag it. Percentiles and reviewer scores count the films IMDb credits them on, for now; the Midcredits score bands, the shape of the crowd and the two cards count their MovieCove titles, shows included (a show ranked among shows), appearances as themselves left out. A descriptor is the shape of a title's IMDb rating distribution against the catalog; "most divisive" needs a spread wider than half of all titles, and a card names only a principal credit: a craft role, and on a show a crew role or a run of episodes, never a courtesy credit or a one-off guest spot.
Is Madhavan's work okay for kids?
Across up to 15 MovieCove titles with content scores, violence & gore, alcohol & drugs and frightening / intense run heavier than most films.
Severity 0–100 from the Content Guide. Categories with under 10 votes on a title are not counted. The band's colour is the severity of their median, named beside it.
Who does Madhavan work with?
People who share at least 2 of Madhavan's MovieCove titles, grouped by what they did on them; A. Sreekar Prasad shares the most, 6.
Directors
- Mani RatnamShared titles: Putham Pudhu Kaalai (2020), Guru (2007), Kannathil Muthamittal (2002), Dum Dum Dum (2001), Alai Payuthey (2000)See all 5 shared titles with Mani Ratnam
- Aanand L. RaiShared titles: Zero (2018), Tanu Weds Manu Returns (2015), Tanu Weds Manu (2011)See all 3 shared titles with Aanand L. Rai
- Aditya DharShared titles: Dhurandhar: The Revenge (2026), Dhurandhar (2025)See all 2 shared titles with Aditya Dhar
- Sudha KongaraShared titles: Putham Pudhu Kaalai (2020), Irudhi Suttru (2016)See all 2 shared titles with Sudha Kongara
Writers
- SuhasiniShared titles: Putham Pudhu Kaalai (2020), Guru (2007)See all 2 shared titles with Suhasini
- Himanshu SharmaShared titles: Tanu Weds Manu Returns (2015), Tanu Weds Manu (2011)See all 2 shared titles with Himanshu Sharma
- SujathaShared titles: Guru (2007), Kannathil Muthamittal (2002)See all 2 shared titles with Sujatha
- Kamal HaasanShared titles: Anbe Sivam (2003), Nala Damayanthi (2003)See all 2 shared titles with Kamal Haasan
Actors
- M.S. BhaskarShared titles: Maara (2021), Putham Pudhu Kaalai (2020), Guru En Aalu (2009), Dum Dum Dum (2001)See all 4 shared titles with M.S. Bhaskar
- VivekShared titles: Guru En Aalu (2009), Laysa Laysa (2003), Dum Dum Dum (2001), Alai Payuthey (2000)See all 4 shared titles with Vivek
- Deepak DobriyalShared titles: Tanu Weds Manu Returns (2015), Tanu Weds Manu (2011), 13B: Fear Has a New Address (2009)See all 3 shared titles with Deepak Dobriyal
- MayilsamyShared titles: Guru En Aalu (2009), Rendu (2006), Laysa Laysa (2003)See all 3 shared titles with Mayilsamy
Composers, cinematographers and editors
- A. Sreekar PrasadShared titles: Putham Pudhu Kaalai (2020), 13B: Fear Has a New Address (2009), Guru (2007), Kannathil Muthamittal (2002), Dum Dum Dum (2001), Alai Payuthey (2000)See all 6 shared titles with A. Sreekar Prasad
- A.R. RahmanShared titles: Guru (2007), Rang De Basanti (2006), Kannathil Muthamittal (2002), Alai Payuthey (2000)See all 4 shared titles with A.R. Rahman
- P.C. SreeramShared titles: Putham Pudhu Kaalai (2020), 13B: Fear Has a New Address (2009), Alai Payuthey (2000)See all 3 shared titles with P.C. Sreeram
- Hemal KothariShared titles: Zero (2018), Tanu Weds Manu Returns (2015), Tanu Weds Manu (2011)See all 3 shared titles with Hemal Kothari
Producers
- G. SrinivasanShared titles: Guru (2007), Kannathil Muthamittal (2002), Dum Dum Dum (2001), Alai Payuthey (2000)See all 4 shared titles with G. Srinivasan
- S. SashikanthShared titles: Test (2025), Vikram Vedha (2017), Irudhi Suttru (2016)See all 3 shared titles with S. Sashikanth
- Sanjay BectorShared titles: G.D.N. (2026), Rocketry: The Nambi Effect (2022)See all 2 shared titles with Sanjay Bector
- Sarita MadhavanShared titles: G.D.N. (2026), Rocketry: The Nambi Effect (2022)See all 2 shared titles with Sarita Madhavan
Mixed roles
- Rajkumar HiraniShared titles: Irudhi Suttru (2016), 3 Idiots (2009)See all 2 shared titles with Rajkumar Hirani
- Khushbu SundarShared titles: Rendu (2006), Alai Payuthey (2000)See all 2 shared titles with Khushbu Sundar
- Azhagam PerumalShared titles: Dum Dum Dum (2001), Alai Payuthey (2000)See all 2 shared titles with Azhagam Perumal
