Stories of struggle of actors like Harisree Asokan are an inspiration : Rahul Madhav

This year has been significant for Rahul Madhav. He swept audiences off their feet as the heroine’s boyfriend with negative shades named Manu in Autorsha and also acted in the Tulu language movie titled Kudla Connection. The handsome actor who lives and breathes cinema is also waiting for the release of Harisree Asokan’s directorial debut and SIvakarthikeyan's 14th movie.
Says Rahul who plays the lead in Asokan’s movie, Oru International Local Story: “It is a fun story, something that you would expect from Harisree Asokan.It is going to be a complete family entertainer which has all the elements of a commercial movie.” The film, according to him, is a result of friendship and unity. “The movie talks about the story of a friends’ gang which include Deepak Parambol and me. There is Manoj K Jayan, Dharmajan and Bijukuttan and many more in the film,” he explains.

The Adam Joan actor divulges that working with experienced film personalities like Harisree Asokan was a huge learning experience. “I am a big fan of Harisree chettan and working with him and other veterans was memorable. Listening to their stories of hardships and struggles during their initial years itself was an inspiration. What they have gone through can’t be compared with our minor struggles. May be that is what has made them great stars. Harisree chettan is a man with immense patience and there is a lot to learn from him,” he says.
Rahul’s earlier comedic outing Medulla Oblongata had received rave reviews from movie buffs. However, he divulges that he doesn’t have much comedy to perform in Oru International Local Story. “I am the kind of typical lead in the movie without too many that many funny sequences like I had in Medullla Oblongata. However, I got to see others doing funny sequences and had chances to improvise my parts. Also, I enjoyed the dubbing process of the movie as I got to know that even some subtle alteration in my voice could actually change the whole mood of the character,” he says.

He is also part of Prithviraj Sukumaran’s Nine which is being directed by Jenuse Mohamed, his old hostel mate. “We studied together and doing a role in his movie is one of the happiest things in the world for me. He always used to say that there is an actor in me which I used to often ignore. In 100 Days of Love, he had earlier offered me Shekhar Menon’s role which had a humorous side. I refused to do it as I wasn’t confident enough then but after doing Medulla Oblongata, I was fine taking up roles with a funny tinge,” he says. The actor goes effusive about actor-turned director Prithviraj and reveals that he feels that Prithviraj is going to be a great director. “He is strong in every aspect of filmmaking. I had a fabulous shoot with him for Nine and I am eagerly waiting for Lucifer.”

In Tamil, Rahul is playing a negative role in Sivakarthikeyan’s upcoming sci-fi entertainer, tentatively named #SK14. “It is a commercial movie and I got to work with many big names including A R Rahman. The movie will be released during Diwali and I am seen alongside Isha Koppikar,” he says.
Rahul believes that cinema will always come to those who love it passionately. “2019 is going to be great for Malayalam cinema for sure,” he winds up