Rang De Basanti (2006) – Flight Lt. Ajay Rathod
Though a smaller role, his love story with Soha Ali Khan’s character added emotional depth to the film
Minnale (2001) – Rajesh Shivakumar
The Tamil original of Rehnaa Hai Terre Dil Mein, where he plays a love-struck romantic who pretends to be someone else to woo a woman
Tanu Weds Manu Returns (2015) – Manu
Continues his romantic journey with Tanu while navigating the entry of her lookalike Kusum. One of his most layered romantic roles
Rehnaa Hai Terre Dil Mein (2001) – Maddy / Madhav Shastri
A cult classic where Madhavan plays a passionate lover who impersonates someone else to win over a girl (Dia Mirza). Still one of his most beloved romantic roles
Dumm Dumm Dumm (2001) – Adhitya
A romantic comedy where two people about to be married try to break the alliance but end up falling in love
Alaipayuthey (2000) – Karthik
A Mani Ratnam classic where he plays a young man who marries in secret, portraying romance post-marriage with intense realism. It was also his Tamil film breakthrough
Jodi Breakers (2012) – Sid
A romantic comedy where he starts off breaking couples, only to fall in love (opposite Bipasha Basu)
Priyamaana Thozhi (2003) – Ashok
A triangle of love and friendship, where he tries to maintain the balance between love and platonic bonds
Run (2002) – Siva
An action-romance where he falls for a girl from a conservative family, leading to dramatic confrontations
Guru (2007) – Shyam Saxena
A romantic subplot with Vidya Balan, where he plays a principled journalist who deeply loves a terminally ill woman
Decoupled (2021) [Web Series, Netflix] – Arya Iyer
A satire on modern marriage, where romance takes the form of conflict, honesty, and unexpected warmth
Aap Jaisa Koi (2025)- Shrirenu Tripathi
The film stars R. Madhavan as Shrirenu Tripathi, a reserved Sanskrit professor, and Fatima Sana Shaikh as Madhu Bose, an enthusiastic French instructor. The film explores the complexities of finding love and companionship amidst societal expectations and patriarchal norms
Tanu Weds Manu (2011) – Manoj Sharma / Manu
A shy, honest doctor who falls for the wild and unpredictable Tanu (Kangana Ranaut). His quiet romanticism struck a chord
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.jpg "Rang De Basanti (2006) – Flight Lt. Ajay Rathod
Though a smaller role, his love story with Soha Ali Khan’s character added emotional depth to the film")
.jpg "Minnale (2001) – Rajesh Shivakumar
The Tamil original of Rehnaa Hai Terre Dil Mein, where he plays a love-struck romantic who pretends to be someone else to woo a woman")
.jpeg "Tanu Weds Manu Returns (2015) – Manu
Continues his romantic journey with Tanu while navigating the entry of her lookalike Kusum. One of his most layered romantic roles")
.jpg "Rehnaa Hai Terre Dil Mein (2001) – Maddy / Madhav Shastri
A cult classic where Madhavan plays a passionate lover who impersonates someone else to win over a girl (Dia Mirza). Still one of his most beloved romantic roles")
.jpg "Dumm Dumm Dumm (2001) – Adhitya
A romantic comedy where two people about to be married try to break the alliance but end up falling in love")
.jpeg "Alaipayuthey (2000) – Karthik
A Mani Ratnam classic where he plays a young man who marries in secret, portraying romance post-marriage with intense realism. It was also his Tamil film breakthrough")
.jpg "Jodi Breakers (2012) – Sid
A romantic comedy where he starts off breaking couples, only to fall in love (opposite Bipasha Basu)")
.jpg "Priyamaana Thozhi (2003) – Ashok
A triangle of love and friendship, where he tries to maintain the balance between love and platonic bonds")
.jpg "Run (2002) – Siva
An action-romance where he falls for a girl from a conservative family, leading to dramatic confrontations")
.jpg "Guru (2007) – Shyam Saxena
A romantic subplot with Vidya Balan, where he plays a principled journalist who deeply loves a terminally ill woman")
![Decoupled (2021) [Web Series, Netflix] – Arya Iyer
A satire on modern marriage, where romance takes the form of conflict, honesty, and unexpected warmth](https://images.mid-day.com/images/images/2025/jul/madhavanrom-12.jpg "Decoupled (2021) [Web Series, Netflix] – Arya Iyer
A satire on modern marriage, where romance takes the form of conflict, honesty, and unexpected warmth")
.jpg "Tanu Weds Manu (2011) – Manoj Sharma / Manu
A shy, honest doctor who falls for the wild and unpredictable Tanu (Kangana Ranaut). His quiet romanticism struck a chord")