R. Madhavan modeled on Sanjeev Kumar in Jodi Breakers

Sanjeev Kumar may have died over 25 years back but his legend continues to live on. Always known as an actor to reckon with if not a star, he had his own style and persona. Now in the current era the man who is seeing comparisons coming his way with the legendary actor is none other than Madhavan who too has broken quite a few conventions when it comes to presentation of a leading hero.

“Just like the late Sanjeev Kumar, Madhavan too has managed to build an immense fan-base globally. There are certainly many other flamboyant heroes around who do what heroes are supposed to do. While they are doing their own thing, Madhavan is doing his own, something that was the case with Sanjeev Kumar as well”, observes an industry expert.

In his time, Sanjeev Kumar had managed to find his own place amongst other superstars like Amitabh Bachchan, Dharmendra, Jeetendra, Vinod Khanna and Rajesh Khanna to name a few, each of whom had their unique identity and mass appeal. While they made the most of their appeal when it came to dance, high voltage drama, action and serenading heroines around the trees, Sanjeev Kumar did none of that and still managed to impress one and all, courtesy films like Aandhi, Koshish, Mausam, Angoor, Trishul, Vidhaata and Pati Patni aur Woh to name a few. Now Madhavan too seems to be treading the same path.

“You may not imagine him doing a Dabangg or a Don 2 or an Agneepath or a Rowdy Rathore. However, when it comes to films like Jodi Breakers or Tanu Weds Manu or a 3 Idiots, you can’t think of anyone else but him”, the expert adds, “He is an actor first and a celebrity later. It’s the connect that he makes with common man, just as was the strength of Sanjeev Kumar, due to which he has his own fan following.”

Now that’s a claim which gets a nod of approval from his Jodi Breakers director as well. “Sanjeev Kumar never danced or indulged in any action. Still, he worked with everyone from the likes of Rakhji, Hemaji or Suchitraji. Their ‘jodi’ always looked wonderful because it was so unconventional. Same is the case with Madhavan as well. When he comes along with Bipasha, the impact created is altogether different”, says Ashwini Chaudary.

He goes on to add, “Madhavan is a very serious and dedicated actor who works a lot on his performance. He isn’t someone about the six pack abs. When you work with him, you are content as a director because all you have to focus on is what he is doing neck up. When he acts, it’s his face that is good enough to pull through a scene. Now that was an achievement of Sanjeev Kumar as well and Madhavan is taking forward the legend.”