A heavy-weight-boxing-champion-turned-actor/composer, Madhan Babu became Madhan Bob when K. Balachander decided to launch him in Vaaname Ellai . A huge fan of veteran actor Kaka Radhakrishnan, Madan has taken inspiration for his eye expressions from him - like in this photograph. As an actor, his laughter and expressions are his signature style. “Strategically, one needs to stand out to capture attention.”
As someone known to stammer, I found that he hardly did when I met him. He spoke about several topics including music, astrology and the art of negotiation. As he explained how he modified his expressions to suit his features, I was reminded of Rowan Atkinson’s Guide to Visual Comedy .
A. R. Rahman reportedly assisted him during his jingle days. He humbly smiled in response, and when nudged, he mentioned that Kamal Haasan and K. S. Ravikumar had announced that to the world during the launch of Thenali .
Apparently, Rahman had once told them that Madhan was his guru . “I wouldn’t want to take any credit for what he has become today.”
This article has been corrected for a factual error.
