I WAS WORRIED ABOUT LOOKING OLD

Madhavan, along with Fatima Sana Shaikh and director Vivek Soni, talks about his recent Netflix film Aap Jaisa Koi, the image of being a romantic hero, and his doubts about romancing a younger actor

- SHREYAS PANDE

A romantic film is a warm blend of visuals and music.

Hindi cinema is defined by this genre, which also comes with a range of clichés, like R Madhavan and Fatima Sana Shaikh patching up in a heavy downpour by the shore in Vivek Soni's Aap Jaisa Koi. Over the years, rain has been the third wheel of Bollywood romances. Who can forget the iconic scene from Rehnaa Hai Terre Dil Mein (2001) where Madhavan, via a fog-tinted glass of a phone booth, sees Dia Mirza dancing in the rain. It's love at first sight.

Since then, the actor has become the face of love, but strangely so, has not starred in many romantic films. "I have barely done three Hindi romances," he says with a smile, recounting RHTDM, the two Tanu Weds Manu (2011 and 2015) films and a scene in Rang De Basanti (2006). "But the image of being a romantic hero has stuck for a long time."

Why clichés work