Hard work, perseverance key to success: Madhavan

R. Madhavan, who began his acting career on the small screen and went on to make his name in both the southern and Hindi film industry, says a combination of talent, hard work and perseverance is needed to cement one’s space in cinema anywhere in the world.Asked about his take on whether actors from southern India face any problem being accepted in Bollywood, Madhavan said: “I don’t think that’s the case.”“If you’re talented and hardworking, you will get what you deserve, eventually. It also depends on what actors want to do and what makes them happy. There are actors who are sticking to one genre and are happy. There are also people who are doing multiple genres, and they are happy too.“Having said that, you need to have a combination of talent, hard work and perseverance to make a name in any cinema you enter.”Known for films like Rehnaa Hai Terre Dil Mein, 3 Idiots, Rang De Basanti, Tanu Weds Manu and its sequel Tanu Weds Manu Returns and Saala Khadoos, the actor will be soon seen hosting National Geographic’s new series Mega Icons, premiering on September 24.Each episode would be a journey into the life of an iconic personality, with help of not only intimate interviews of the icons and their families, but also through research and analysis by experts.Appealing to the common man’s aspirations, the show delves on the life of celebrities from different walks of life. The list includes cricketer Virat Kohli, politician and actor Kamal Haasan, former President APJ Abdul Kalam, spiritual leader and Nobel laureate Dalai Lama, and social activist and India’s first women IPS officer Kiran Bedi.Madhavan is excited.“When we look at these personalities, we wonder whether they were born to be great, and their success defined from day one — or if their journey through life, their experiences and hard work, really shaped them into the giants we revere.“The show will not only discuss the journey of these icons, but will also help shaping the actions of millions in the country who aspire to make it big,” he said.As Kamal Haasan is one of the personalities on the show, Madhavan said: “I’ve grown up watching his films. I’ve admired his acting and him as a person ever since I’ve got into cinema. He is a powerhouse of knowledge, whose commitment to cinema is unbeatable.“I have learnt from him that you need to be your character when you enact in front of the camera. Whenever I meet him, I feel like the same 16-year-old boy, with utmost admiration for him.”Madhavan is also someone who is admired by fans all over. And his fan following increased when he came back fit and in form after a sabbatical due to a shoulder injury.“I was confident of getting back on screen. I love what I do, and work keeps me going,” he said.He is confident that Mega Icons will inspire many lives.“What is really interesting is that the show is bringing together some of the most inspiring personalities, selected carefully from varied walks of life; and I believe every story will reveal answers to many questions we have always wondered about geniuses,” said the actor.On the work front, Madhavan also did a web series Breathe, which had received a positive response.Any plans to do more web series?“Yes, that is an interesting space and, of course, if there is an exciting script, I’d love to take it up,” he said.“The digital world is a great platform for young blood, who are full of talent and energy. With so much content being produced in a short span of time, it’s a great platform for some newcomers to shine.“Of course, there are experienced people as well working for the digital business, which also gives a chance for the newcomers to work and learn with them. I think we are already seeing some great talents who are doing great on the digital platform, and then they are also bagging roles in traditional cinema,” added the actor. — IANSWhen Preity fought with Saif When Preity fought with Saif As Siddharth Anand’s directorial Salaam Namaste completed 13 years of release yesterday, actress Preity Zinta became nostalgic and recounted fond memories with co-star Saif Ali Khan.Preity took to Instagram and wrote: “Awwww! We had so much fun on this film it was insane. Saif and I fought so much on and off camera that the crew didn’t know if we were rehearsing our lines or really wanted to kill each other. I miss Saif. 13 years of Salaam Namaste.”Along with the post, the 43-year-old actress posted a short video of the title track of the film, which was a romantic comedy set in Melbourne.Apart from Salaam Namaste, the actors have worked together in several films including Kya Kehna, Dil Chahta Hai and Kal Ho Na Ho.On the work front, Preity is returning to the big screen after a long break with Bhaiaji Superhit, while Saif after playing the officer Sartaj Singh in the hit web television series, Sacred Games, is prepping for his role for tentatively titled movie, Hunter. — IANSAishwarya receives Meryl Streep Award  Actress Aishwarya Rai Bachchan was honoured with the inaugural Meryl Streep Award for Excellence at the Women in Film and Television (WIFT) India Awards in Washington.She was accompanied to the event by her daughter Aaradhya and mother.The former beauty queen yesterday took to Instagram to thank her fans for their beloved wishes.She wrote: “A heartfelt thank you to all my well-wishers from India and all around the world, for being my inspiration and strength. God bless and all my love.”She also posted a few pictures in which she can be seen holding a trophy in her hand and her daughter and mother beside her.The Fanney Khan actress also penned a message for 6-year-old Aaradhya.“You my Aaradhya complete me. Divine, blissful and eternal love,” Aishwarya captioned the photograph of her daughter.Apart from Aishwarya, filmmaker Zoya Akhtar received the Wyler Award for Excellence in Direction, and Dhadak star Janhvi Kapoor was also honoured with the WIFT Emerald Award.In photographs from the event, Janhvi, daughter of late acting icon Sridevi, is seen exchanging pleasantries with Aishwarya.WIFT honours the best female talent in Bollywood and Hollywood. — IANS.