Mumbai: Actor R Madhavan has shared the worst relationship advice he ever received, recalling how he was once warned against becoming too close to his in-laws. The actor said he was advised to remain cautious around his wife’s family, particularly his mother-in-law, but his own experience has been quite different.
Speaking ahead of the release of his film Aap Jaisa Koi, Madhavan spoke to The Quint about the advice he found most misguided. As reported by The News Channel, he recalled being told that a person should not become best friends with their in-laws and should always be careful around them.
Recalling the exact advice, Madhavan said, “That your in-laws and you are not supposed to be best of friends. You have to be careful, and your mother-in-law is a tyrant.”
However, the actor immediately contrasted the warning with his personal experience, saying he had been fortunate to have wonderful in-laws. His remarks offered a glimpse into the family values that have shaped his approach to marriage and relationships.
Madhavan says he had wonderful in-laws
Madhavan’s comments challenged the commonly repeated notion that relationships with in-laws are naturally complicated or should be approached with caution. Rather than accepting such assumptions, the actor spoke about the positive bond he shares with his wife’s family.
His response also reflected his belief that relationships within a family should be built on mutual respect and understanding rather than preconceived ideas about how relatives are expected to behave.
The actor has often spoken about the importance of his family and the role his wife, Sarita Birje, has played in his life. Their marriage, which began in 1999, has remained an important part of his personal journey alongside his career in the film industry.
Madhavan and Sarita dated for eight years before getting married. Sarita was his student when they first met, and their relationship eventually developed into a long-term partnership.
What Madhavan said about his marriage to Sarita
In an earlier conversation on Ranveer Allahbadia’s podcast, Madhavan spoke about the relationship he shares with Sarita and explained why he believes their marriage has remained strong despite the demands of his acting career.
The actor acknowledged that they have disagreements like any other couple. However, he emphasised that mutual respect and equality have been central to their relationship.
“We have an equal amount of fights as any couple. We have a great amount of respect for each other,” Madhavan said.
He also explained that Sarita does not view him merely as a national star or someone whose celebrity status makes her feel privileged to be his wife. Instead, he said she sees him as the person she fell in love with and respects him as an equal partner.
“For Sarita, I am not just a national star or an actor she has to feel privileged to be the wife of. She’s an equal partner with the guy who fell in love with her and respects her,” he said.
Madhavan added that he makes an effort to remind Sarita how fortunate he feels to have her in his life.
The actor’s comments highlighted the importance he places on maintaining equality in marriage, particularly when one partner is a well-known public figure. He suggested that their relationship has continued to be rooted in the personal bond they developed before his career reached its current scale.
Sarita’s role in Madhavan’s family life
Madhavan has also spoken appreciatively about Sarita’s relationship with his family. Crediting her as an ideal daughter-in-law, the actor said this was one of the reasons he chose her as his life partner.
His remarks about his in-laws and his wife reflect a consistent theme in his public comments: the importance of family relationships based on affection, respect and acceptance.
For Madhavan, marriage is not simply about the relationship between two individuals. It also involves building connections with each other’s families and treating those relationships with consideration.
His recent recollection about the advice he received therefore offered more than an anecdote about an unusual piece of relationship guidance. It also provided an insight into how his personal experiences differed from the warnings he had heard.
Son Vedaant chooses swimming over acting
Madhavan and Sarita became parents in 2005, welcoming their son Vedaant six years after their wedding.
Unlike his father, who established himself as an actor in Indian cinema, Vedaant developed a strong interest in swimming and chose to pursue the sport.
He attracted attention in 2019 when he won a silver medal at the Asian Age Group Swimming Championships, bringing recognition to India’s swimming talent. He has continued to pursue his sporting ambitions, with his achievements marking a different career path from that of his father.
Madhavan has occasionally spoken about his family in interviews, while keeping much of his personal life away from the public spotlight.
Madhavan also reveals a new look
Meanwhile, the actor recently caught the attention of social media users after sharing a video showcasing a new appearance.
In the clip, Madhavan was seen with messy hair, a beard and glasses. Smiling at the camera, he said, “Another day, another film, another look.”
The brief video prompted interest among fans, with the actor’s changing appearance suggesting another transformation for an upcoming project. However, the video did not reveal further details about the film or the character.
Known for taking on varied roles across different film industries, Madhavan has continued to work in projects spanning multiple languages and genres.
His comments about relationship advice have now added another personal dimension to his recent public appearances. While the actor’s latest look has generated curiosity about his upcoming work, his remarks about Sarita and his in-laws have offered fans a glimpse into the family relationships he values.