R Madhavan on his birthday: My fans visit temples, do charity; it’s the best gift

Actor R Madhavan, who is still remembered for his chocolate boy role in Rehnaa Hai Terre Dil Mein (2001) and as the dashing pilot in Rang De Basanti (2006), turns 47 today. The lead actor of the Tanu Weds Manu franchise says that he loves birthdays as the day reminds others of him.

“My birthday is another day for me to get people’s attention. I don’t think of it as growing older. I think of it as reminding the world that, ‘Hey! I am here and you have to wish me.’ I can count my friends based on who wishes me,” he says. Madhavan, who is working on multiple films this year, has planned a quiet birthday. “Today, I’ll go to the temple and spend time with my family. In the evening, I’ll have a party with near and dear ones, remembering the good and bad things of the year that has gone by.”

His fans, too, try to make the day special for him. “My fans go to the temple and do pujas for me. They even do charity on my birthday. I feel touched. It’s the best gift they can give me,” he says.

Reminiscing his best birthday parties, Madhavan says, “My best childhood memories are those of my friends throwing a surprise birthday party for me when I was 13 and 17 years old. As a teenager, I was smart enough to figure out when there were surprises planned, but on these two occasions, I wasn’t able to guess.” Talking about his most precious birthday gift, the actor says, “My best birthday gift was a cycle from my father when I was in class eight. I would ride it to school. I know people now don’t get excited about it. But back then, it was extraordinary.”