R Madhavan, best known for his romantic charm in films like Rehnaa Hai Terre Dil Mein, is returning to the genre with Aap Jaisa Koi, sparking anticipation among his fans. In a recent conversation with The Hollywood Reporter, the actor shared his thoughts on the current state of romantic storytelling in Hindi cinema, emphasizing its diminishing presence amidst a wave of action and thriller-driven narratives.
He pointed out that despite the emotional depth and relatability of love stories, they have become rare in both theatrical releases and streaming platforms. “I don’t recall any romcom that has worked on OTT platforms either. I know the Korean [dramas] work but I don’t recall seeing any hardcore, Indian, romantic film. Let alone one that is age-appropriate for a 55-year-old,” he said.
Romance and Age: A Missing Combination
Madhavan believes that stories featuring older protagonists are significantly lacking, even though they hold deep emotional resonance. “And I think they’re the most romantic people in the world, because this generation, my generation, knows how much importance to give our partners, because we’ve lived through so much,” he added. He referenced As Good as It Gets as an example of a film that effectively portrayed mature romance, noting the impact of its dialogues and storytelling.
The actor also raised concern about the industry’s reluctance to explore such narratives. According to him, the problem is not with market demand or profitability, but with the lack of well-researched scripts and capable writers. “It’s low-hanging fruit to be plucked in this genre but we don’t have writers. Writers who can see films like As Good as It Gets (1997) as romantic stories. I can’t forget those dialogues!” he stated.
Shah Rukh Khan: The Unmatched King of Romance
Madhavan took a moment to praise Shah Rukh Khan, often hailed as the ‘King of Romance’, for his unmatched ability to bring love stories to life on screen. “Don’t blame the money. Get us a story, no? One that is well researched. No one does romance like Shah Rukh [Khan] but one needs a heroine of his age as well. That’s getting difficult to find,” Madhavan remarked, highlighting the shortage of age-appropriate pairings in mainstream films.
While Shah Rukh remains a benchmark for romantic roles, Madhavan pointed out the broader challenge of finding female co-stars in the same age bracket for these kinds of stories. His observation speaks to a larger issue of age disparity in casting, particularly in romantic genres.
A New Chapter with Aap Jaisa Koi
Directed by Vivek Soni and produced by Karan Johar’s Dharmatic Entertainment, Aap Jaisa Koi will see Madhavan star alongside Fatima Sana Shaikh. Both actors play professors in the film, which will premiere on a streaming platform. Though the age difference between the two is notable, the film attempts to revive a genre that has long been pushed aside.
Madhavan, who was last seen in Kesari Chapter 2, acknowledges that while love stories may not currently dominate the charts, there remains an untapped audience yearning for meaningful narratives that reflect real relationships and emotional maturity.
He pointed out that despite the emotional depth and relatability of love stories, they have become rare in both theatrical releases and streaming platforms. “I don’t recall any romcom that has worked on OTT platforms either. I know the Korean [dramas] work but I don’t recall seeing any hardcore, Indian, romantic film. Let alone one that is age-appropriate for a 55-year-old,” he said.
Romance and Age: A Missing Combination
Madhavan believes that stories featuring older protagonists are significantly lacking, even though they hold deep emotional resonance. “And I think they’re the most romantic people in the world, because this generation, my generation, knows how much importance to give our partners, because we’ve lived through so much,” he added. He referenced As Good as It Gets as an example of a film that effectively portrayed mature romance, noting the impact of its dialogues and storytelling.
The actor also raised concern about the industry’s reluctance to explore such narratives. According to him, the problem is not with market demand or profitability, but with the lack of well-researched scripts and capable writers. “It’s low-hanging fruit to be plucked in this genre but we don’t have writers. Writers who can see films like As Good as It Gets (1997) as romantic stories. I can’t forget those dialogues!” he stated.
Shah Rukh Khan: The Unmatched King of Romance
Madhavan took a moment to praise Shah Rukh Khan, often hailed as the ‘King of Romance’, for his unmatched ability to bring love stories to life on screen. “Don’t blame the money. Get us a story, no? One that is well researched. No one does romance like Shah Rukh [Khan] but one needs a heroine of his age as well. That’s getting difficult to find,” Madhavan remarked, highlighting the shortage of age-appropriate pairings in mainstream films.
While Shah Rukh remains a benchmark for romantic roles, Madhavan pointed out the broader challenge of finding female co-stars in the same age bracket for these kinds of stories. His observation speaks to a larger issue of age disparity in casting, particularly in romantic genres.
A New Chapter with Aap Jaisa Koi
Directed by Vivek Soni and produced by Karan Johar’s Dharmatic Entertainment, Aap Jaisa Koi will see Madhavan star alongside Fatima Sana Shaikh. Both actors play professors in the film, which will premiere on a streaming platform. Though the age difference between the two is notable, the film attempts to revive a genre that has long been pushed aside.
Madhavan, who was last seen in Kesari Chapter 2, acknowledges that while love stories may not currently dominate the charts, there remains an untapped audience yearning for meaningful narratives that reflect real relationships and emotional maturity.
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