I worship movies, so I do one film a year: Madhavan

Mumbai, Feb 20 (IANS) Talented actor R. Madhavan straddles two worlds - Hindi movies and southern cinema - with elan but despite having a good hold in both, he doesn't believe in piling up projects in his kitty.

"I do one film a year. I don't look at a film like a project, I worship it. It's like going to a temple. I can't jump from one film set to another film set," Madhavan told IANS.

He added: "This year I have done two films - Tamil film 'Veetai', which by god's grace has done very well, and now I have this one - 'Jodi Breakers'. So it's a very conscious decision to do one film at a time."

Following the success of "Tanu Weds Manu", Madhavan is back to woo his fans in the Hindi-speaking belt with the romantic comedy "Jodi Breakers", releasing Friday. In the film, Madhavan will be seen romancing Bipasha Basu for the first time on big screen.

Describing the film as a unique concept, he said it suits the modern-day relationship requirements and added: "It (Jodi Breaker) is required for modern-day people. We don't do it as a hobby; it's a job. So, people who are uncomfortable with their 'jodi' and who are unable to get out of it for whatever reasons, we find a way for them where we break their 'jodi' without much hassle."

However, in real life Madhavan is a 'jodi maker' and said: "I have got six people married and all of them are happy."

If he is impressed by the concept of the film, directed by Ashwini Choudhary, Madhavan is equally confident about his chemistry with Bipasha in "Jodi Breakers".

"It's very evident from the trailers that we share a phenomenal chemistry. It is very easy to get along with her. I am very fond of her," said the 41-year-old.

Over the years Madhavan has indeed grown as an actor and he feels he has the ability to get the screenplay right.

"I am very strong with my screenplay selection. I am very strong with my performances. Ability to get the screenplay right is my strength. Those are the advantages that I think I have cultivated working with big directors. So these things work for me," said Madhavan, who has worked with directors like Mani Ratnam, Rajkumar Hirani and Rakeysh Omprakash Mehra.

While every other actor in Bollywood is busy getting a sculpted body, Madhavan said: "From Salman (Khan) to Bipasha to my wife everybody wants me to get a seven-pack or eight-pack abs, but I am just happy with my family pack."

He feels life has been kind to him and he achieved "everything very easily" and perhaps that's the reason behind his weight gain.

"I have just been very lucky. If I don't have work and a few of my films flop then I think I will lose weight automatically," he joked.

However, on the serious note, he added: "If I get a film where I have to look lean and nasty, where I have to have six-pack and if I find the story interesting, then I know I can have the best physique in the industry."

Madhavan says he is from southern India, but growing up in the northern part of the country was an added bonus.

"I have done films in both the languages. Apart from that, talent-wise I am far less than the actors who tried to come from southern films. Fortunately for me, I am a Tamilian so that department has been taken care of. Fortunately for me, I was born and brought up in Bihar, so Hindi is taken care of." Click the Movie button below for more info:
Jodi Breakers

R. Madhavan Pictures