Flashback Films: R Madhavan’s Alai Payuthey Turns 25, Here’s How It Gave Birth To A Charismatic Romantic Hero
Alai Payuthey, owing to the tremendous response and cult factor, got remade in Hindi as Saathiya and Sakhi in Telugu. Despite their respective box office success, the Tamil original remains unmatched. Shalini (now Shalini Ajith Kumar) and Madhavan hit the jackpot with their chemistry. Ahead of its age, Alai Payuthey completed the entire narrative circle without a single hiccup. Madhavan, a newbie, was trusted with a character that had multiple layers coated with diverse personality shades. For a newcomer, the actor showed what he is capable of. Though if Alai Payuthey is made today, the red flag-green flag debate would have ruled social media, it was presented at a time when cinematic liberty and flawed characters were viewed through an unbiased and creative lens.
Alai Payuthey was ahead of its time because it dealt with a mature love story. Coming from Tamil cinema, it is furthermore amusing to understand how a romantic hero, not action, was celebrated despite flaws. Mani Ratnam, one of the finest we have, had a vision for this lead hero and Madhavan did justice to it with his innocent chocolate boy looks. A young, clean-shaven Madhavan with his infectious smile was enough to make girls and women swoon over his charismatic appeal on the big screen. This era is missed!
Uff, how can one not fall into those deep, expressive eyes that communicated louder than the dialogue? Madhavan built a foundation for his illustrious career with romantic hero roles. His empire, now standing tall on varied roles and National Award for his directorial debut, was once known for Brand Maddy- a trustworthy identity for those who loved to fall in love with the idea of mushy romance. This bond between the actor and his fans was strengthened by the thought of never questioning the morality and simply being in the moment.
There’s no doubt that Madhavan is a fantastic actor with a solid range. He dabbled in various genres like action, thriller, comedy and even horror. But, his chocolate boy charm and smoothness in pulling off romantic roles are deeply missed. As fans are gearing up for Kesari Chapter 2, in which Maddy will show his evil side, it is just the right time to revisit Alai Payuthey, the film that introduced the phenomenal actor. In these last 25 years, Madhavan has given memorable characters. Rehna Hai Tere Dil Mein is iconic again.
In case you’ve missed watching Alai Payuthey in theatres, you can stream this Mani Ratnam directorial on Amazon Prime Video.
Happy 25 years to Madhavan! With Kesari Chapter 2, we begin the next journey of 25 years and more.
