Interview: I feel successful, and quite content with my career, says Madhoo

Coming to the talented actor, Madhubala’s original name is Padma Malini. She was born in Chennai and grew up in Mumbai.

Her father changed her name to Madhu Malini when she entered school. But, after her acting debut, she became popular as Madhoo. She is married to Anand Shah.

Madhoo started her career in 1991 with the Tamil film Azhagan. The same year, she debuted in the Hindi film industry with Phool Aur Kaante, a blockbuster hit for which she was conferred with the Filmfare Award for a Best Female Debut.

After working hard for nine long years, she took a break from movies.

The ‘Chinni Chinni Asha’ girl, Madhoo. (madhoo69/Twitter)

In 2013, she made a comeback to Telugu films with Anthaku Mundu Aa Taruvatha where she played the mother of Eesha Rebba.

Close to a decade since then, she is being offered some strong, fun-loving and amazing mother roles.

In an exclusive interview with South First, this is what the actor has to say about her successful career, second innings, how things in the industry have changed, and a lot more.

Q. You are someone who has worked in the Hindi, Tamil, Telugu and Malayalam industries. I’m sure you must have seen them transforming and evolving. Could you explain the changes you have observed over these years?

A. I worked even in times when there were no caravans and no basic needs for female actors.

I have been through all kinds of ordeals — from sitting under the trees to making sure that no one is peeping while we change our costumes.

But every single thing has changed now: From production costs to filmmaking, remuneration, and whatnot. You name it and I can tell you what has changed.

Q. If Madhoo has to rate her performance, what are her personal favourites?

A. I got a good name with films like Roja, Gentleman, Allari Priyudu, Annayya, and Yodha. These are all my favourites.

I also like Govinda and Hatkadi, though they were not successes. I did comedy roles in the two movies. I like comedy roles and I believe I’m good at humour.

#1980ReUnion2022@khushsundar @madhoo69 @meramyakrishnan pic.twitter.com/M78LCvvIq7

— Actor Kayal Devaraj (@kayaldevaraj) November 14, 2022

Q. Which phase is it that you like the most now? Madhoo as a heroine or Madhoo as a mom on screen?

A. I’m enjoying the current phase. So, I would say the second innings is much better.

Though I rose to fame with my yesteryear roles, I am personally enjoying the roles I am being offered now. I always wanted to do roles that have humour added to it. Thankfully, I’m now getting such roles.

Q. You are close to the audiences in the South. Even after working in so many Telugu films, you still don’t speak the language. Why is it so?

A. Yes, I know. I don’t know why I never really focused on learning and speaking Telugu.

I don’t look like and people don’t believe that I’m a North Indian. Well, I looked, and pretty convincingly for that matter, more like a South Indian in almost all the South Indian films I was part of.

Now, nobody sees me as a Mumbai girl. Rakul Preet Singh and Tamannaah too came here from Mumbai and are now dubbing themselves. I like their dedication towards the language.

But yes, learning Telugu would have made things a lot easier for me.

pic.twitter.com/3q69vhTlX0

— madhoo (@madhoo69) November 22, 2022

Q. Which industries have similarities when it comes to working?

A. Telugu and Hindi industries seem to be very close. It feels a bit different in Tamil and other languages.

In Telugu, actors do have a chance to discuss a scene or script with the directors. Though I don’t know Telugu well, I feel that I gave a better performance in Tollywood than in other languages.

Also, the process of working and roping in actors has changed quite a lot these days.

Earlier, we used to sign projects for a particular remuneration and if the project goes on for a year or five, you are obliged to finish it.

But now, you are paid on daily basis and that makes things a lot easier and lucrative. Also, this affects the production cost.

Arvind Swami and Madhoo in Mani Ratnam’s blockbuster hit ‘Roja’. (Supplied)

Q. You are still popular as Mani Ratnam’s Roja. If you go down memory lane, how do you feel?

A. People still call me the “Chinni Chinni Asha” girl. People from the 70s and 80s know me too well. The ones from the 90s do recognise me and so does the current generation.

Every time people tell me that they love the Roja song, it makes me feel happy. I will be known forever because of the song.

I feel successful and content with my career. I think that’s what matters when you grow as an actor.

Q. Looking forward to watching you in more films…

A. I, too, am looking forward to doing more films in Telugu. Please watch  Premadesam which is releasing next week. It is a wonderful film.