‘No one does romance like Shah Rukh Khan’ admits R Madhavan but here’s why it’s getting difficult: ‘One needs a heroine of…’

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In a chat with The Hollywood Reporter India, R Madhavan candidly expresses his views on romance in Indian cinema. He shares reasons why modern romantic movies seem to lack punch and explains why Shah Rukh Khan continues to set the bar high for on-screen love tales.

Madhavan, famous for his captivating romantic performances in movies such as Alaipayuthey and Tanu Weds Manu, commended Shah Rukh Khan’s exceptional talent at portraying romance, stating that “no one does romance quite like Shah Rukh.” He acknowledged the Bollywood megastar’s enduring legacy through films including Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge, Dil Toh Pagal Hai, and Kuch Kuch Hota Hai. However, Madhavan also highlighted a crucial issue: there is a lack of female actors in the industry who are paired with stars like SRK, and are around the same age and stature as him.

“One needs a heroine of his age as well. That’s getting difficult to find,” Madhavan noted.

He continued discussing the current trend in romantic films, focusing on the impact of streaming services. In his opinion, Indian cinema lags behind when it comes to producing mature and engaging love stories. “I can’t think of any romantic comedy that has been successful on these platforms,” he stated. “While Korean dramas are popular, I haven’t seen many intense, Indian romances. It’s rare to find one that is suitable for someone my age, 55.

As a dedicated follower, I believe that the older generation, including my own, carries an exceptionally profound and experienced understanding of love. They are, in my opinion, the most romantic individuals on the planet. This is due to the fact that they’ve had the opportunity to live through many experiences, which allows them to truly grasp the significance we should give our partners.

He thinks that the genre of mature romance is ripe for exploration, but the challenge lies in finding suitable writers to bring these stories to life. Madhavan mentioned the 1997 Hollywood film “As Good as It Gets” as a prime example of how compelling and romantic age-appropriate narratives can be. “Writers who recognize films like ‘As Good as It Gets’ as romantic tales, I can still remember those lines!

From a die-hard fan’s perspective, on the professional side of things, I last caught a glimpse of Madhavan in the epic saga Kesari Chapter 2. As for the one and only Shah Rukh Khan, he’s been off our screens since his 2023 hit, Dunki, but he’s set to make a grand comeback with King.

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2025-04-30 19:37