For Vedaant Madhavan, pursuing swimming as a career means leaving the Bollywood spotlight behind. The 21-year-old swimmer, who is the son of actor R Madhavan, has been building a sporting identity of his own and says his famous surname can bring an additional layer of pressure. Representing India at the 2026 Asian Games in Japan, Vedaant has made it clear that his focus remains on swimming rather than fame.

‘I want to do good for myself and my country’

Speaking to PTI ahead of the Asian Games, Vedaant said he was not chasing the attention that comes with being the son of a popular actor. “I want to do good for myself and my country as a swimmer,” he said, according to The Times of India. He added that performances ultimately determine who gets the spotlight, regardless of their background.
Vedaant also acknowledged that representing India itself brings considerable expectations. “There’s always a chip on your shoulder,” he said, adding that having R Madhavan as his father could make the pressure slightly greater.
However, he said his training has taught him to keep those outside expectations away once he enters the pool.