R Madhavan's acting journey, both in Tamil and Hindi cinema, has been remarkable. He ventured into diverse roles across genres, showcasing his versatility as an actor. With his talent and charm, the Rocketry actor has won the hearts of millions of fans worldwide.
Madhavan's ability to seamlessly transition between romantic, dramatic, and character-driven roles has solidified his position as a multitalented actor in both industries. As the actor turns 53 on Thursday, here are some of his notable performances that highlight his versatility.
Rehna Hai Tere Dil Mein
His portrayal of Maddy in Rehnaa Hai Terre Dil Mein left a lasting impression and made the audience fall in love with his character's journey. Maddy starts off as a carefree and mischievous college student, but his life takes a turn when he falls in love with Reena Malhotra, played by Dia Mirza. Madhavan's transition from the brat side to the romantic side of Maddy's character left the audience emotionally invested in their love story. The song "Sach Keh Raha Hai" beautifully captures the emotional turmoil and Madhavan's performance in the music resonated with the viewers. Madhavan's charming "chocolate boy" image, brought the character to life, making him a heartthrob among female viewers.
Tanu Weds Manu
Madhavan delivered a standout performance of an NRI doctor as Manu, in this romantic-comedy drama. His portrayal of a simple, mild-mannered doctor caught in a love triangle received critical acclaim. Madhavan brought the character to life with ease and authenticity. His honesty and hard work in portraying the nuances of Manu's emotions and experiences paid off, as fans were drawn to the character and fell in love with him. The chemistry between Madhavan and Kangana Ranaut, who played Tanu, was also highly appreciated. Their on-screen pairing and the dynamics of their relationship added depth to the story. Madhavan's ability to convey Manu's undying love and his internal conflicts contributed to the success of the films.
3 Idiots
In this blockbuster comedy-drama, Farhan Qureshi played by Madhavan is one of the three main protagonists in the film, alongside Rancho (Aamir Khan) and Raju (Sharman Joshi). Farhan Qureshi's character is depicted as a talented and passionate aspiring photographer who faces societal and familial pressure to pursue a career in engineering instead. Throughout the film, Farhan's journey involves finding his true passion and defying the expectations imposed upon him. His tremendous performance adds a layer of realism and intensity to the film, making it a must-watch one.
Saala Khadoos
Saala Khadoos is a testament to Madhavan's versatility as an actor. The movie revolves around the character of Adi Tomar, a failed boxer turned boxing trainer who finds redemption by coaching a talented young female boxer. He immerses himself in the character, bringing a raw and intense energy to the role of a tough, no-nonsense coach. His commitment and passion shine through, as he brilliantly captures the nuances of a seasoned boxer and mentor. The film also explores the personal growth and transformation of Adi Tomar. Madhavan showcased his range as an actor and proved that he can take on diverse and challenging roles.
Rocketry: The Nambi Effect
R Madhavan not only plays the lead role but also serves as the director and co-writer of the film. The movie is a passion project for Madhavan, who has dedicated significant time and effort to bring the story of Nambi Narayanan to the screen. Madhavan's portrayal of Nambi Narayanan in the film was highly anticipated. He has undergone a remarkable physical transformation to embody the character, sporting different looks across various phases of Nambi Narayanan's life. Recently, he won the Best Director award for this at the IIFA 2023.
BBC confirms its commitment to Doctor Who regardless of Disney’s future involvement.
Kate Phillips, the BBC’s new chief content officer, reassured fans at the Edinburgh TV Festival.
Ratings for Season 15 dropped to an average of 3.2M viewers, down from last year’s figures.
Ncuti Gatwa has exited the role, regenerating into Billie Piper’s Rose Tyler.
Spin-off The War Between The Land And The Sea is next in production.
BBC reassures fans over Doctor Who’s future
The BBC has confirmed that Doctor Who will remain on the broadcaster “with or without Disney”, following speculation about the sci-fi series’ future.
Kate Phillips, the BBC’s chief content officer, told delegates at the Edinburgh TV Festival:
“Rest assured, Doctor Who is going nowhere. Disney has been a great partnership — and it continues with The War Between The Land And The Sea next year — but going forward, with or without Disney, Doctor Who will still be on the BBC … The Tardis is going nowhere.”
Lindsay Salt, the BBC’s director of scripted, echoed the commitment, adding that the show still performs well with younger audiences.
Ratings concern for Season 15
Despite the BBC’s reassurance, official viewing figures paint a challenging picture. According to BARB seven-day consolidated ratings analysed by Deadline, Season 15 averaged 3.2M viewers across eight episodes — around 500,000 fewer than last year.
Comparisons with Jodie Whittaker’s final series highlight the decline: her 2021 run averaged 4.9M viewers, 1.7M higher than Gatwa’s most recent outing.
While broadcasters prefer 28-day data for a fuller picture, seven-day figures usually reflect the overall trend, suggesting viewership has weakened significantly.
What’s next for the Whoniverse
Season 15 concluded on a cliffhanger as Ncuti Gatwa’s Doctor regenerated into Billie Piper’s Rose Tyler.
Produced by Bad Wolf, spin-off series The War Between The Land And The Sea is the next project in the Whoniverse and will continue under the BBC–Disney partnership for now.
Showrunner Russell T Davies previously admitted that the future beyond the spin-off was uncertain, but the BBC has now made clear the franchise is not going anywhere.
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Olivia Dunne starred in a viral bubble bath shoot for a new Fanatics series.
The 2025 Sports Illustrated Swimsuit cover model revealed the not-so-glamorous side of filming.
Her TikTok showing behind-the-scenes chaos has gained over 700,000 views.
Fans and family flooded the comments with jokes and questions.
Fanatics partnership and viral moment
Retired gymnast and 2025 SI Swimsuit cover star Olivia Dunne has gone viral again, this time thanks to an unusual shoot for Fanatics.
The brand announced its new digital series, Explained by Livvy Dunne, where the influencer takes on complex topics in a playful style. The launch video showed Dunne in a bubble bath—similar in style to Margot Robbie’s cameo in The Big Short—but with a twist: the tub was set up in the middle of a football field.
On Tuesday, Dunne gave fans a behind-the-scenes look at the shoot on TikTok. The clip, which has already attracted more than 700,000 views, showed her sitting in the bath for hours while production staff worked around her to keep her covered with bubbles.
“I sat there for 3 hours😭 @Fanatics #fanatics #football #sports #rosebowl #sportsbetting,” she wrote in the caption.
The video was set to the viral “Jet2 Advert” soundtrack, often used to highlight chaotic twists during seemingly relaxing moments.
Fan and family reactions
The post quickly filled with light-hearted comments. Her sister Julz joked: “I can feel the bath water comments from miles away,” to which Dunne replied, “2021 all over again.”
Others joined in with their own humour, including:
“Did they warm the water up at least?”
“And my mom said bubble technician was a job with no future.”
“Football and bubble baths are the best things in life.”
Fanatics Betting and Gaming’s Chief Marketing Officer, Selena Kalvaria, said:
“As a disruptor brand, Fanatics Sportsbook is rewriting the category playbook. By working with a cultural force like Livvy, we’re telling our story in a way that expands our reach with existing betting audiences—and speaks to new ones, too.”
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Alia Bhatt’s powerful performance as Gangubai made this film one of Bhansali’s finest works
Sanjay Leela Bhansali is among India’s most celebrated filmmakers, blending grandeur with global appeal.
His works have travelled from Cannes to Berlin, while also earning India’s highest film honours.
Here are five Bhansali masterpieces that won National Awards and showcased Indian cinema on the world stage.
1. Devdas (2002)
Shah Rukh Khan, Aishwarya Rai and Madhuri Dixit
One of Bhansali’s most iconic films, Devdas redefined cinematic opulence with Shah Rukh Khan, Aishwarya Rai and Madhuri Dixit in unforgettable roles. Its grand sets and emotional depth won over audiences worldwide. The film was screened at the Cannes Film Festival and went on to bag the National Award for Best Popular Film Providing Wholesome Entertainment.
2. Black (2005)
Rani Mukerji and Amitabh Bachchan
A stark contrast to his grand spectacles, Black was a minimalist and deeply emotional drama inspired by the life of Helen Keller. Featuring powerhouse performances from Rani Mukerji and Amitabh Bachchan, the film was honoured as Best Hindi Feature Film at the National Awards. It also travelled to the Los Angeles Indian Film Festival, Cannes’ Marché du Film, the London Asian Film Festival, and later the Seoul International Film Festival — cementing its global reach.
3. Bajirao Mastani (2015)
Ranveer Singh and Deepika Padukone
A sweeping historical romance starring Ranveer Singh, Deepika Padukone and Priyanka Chopra, Bajirao Mastani was a visual and emotional triumph. Bhansali won the National Award for Best Director, a recognition of his unmatched craft. The film’s song Deewani Mastani even caught global attention when the Oscars’ official Instagram featured Deepika Padukone’s performance — a rare nod to Indian cinema from Hollywood circles.
4. Padmaavat (2018)
Deepika Padukone and Shahid Kapoor
Bhansali not only directed but also composed the music for Padmaavat, proving his artistry extends beyond visuals to sound. His haunting score won him the National Award for Best Music Director. The film enjoyed huge international success, particularly in the US and Canada, and won praise for its scale, music, and performances, marking yet another Bhansali triumph on the global stage.
5. Gangubai Kathiawadi (2022)
Alia Bhatt
Alia Bhatt’s powerful performance as Gangubai made this film one of Bhansali’s finest works. It earned him two National Awards — Best Screenplay and Best Editing. Premiering at the Berlin International Film Festival, it received a standing ovation, later trending globally on Netflix as one of the top non-English films. It also featured on the BAFTA voting calendar, bringing Bhansali’s work once again into international focus.
What’s Next?
Bhansali is now gearing up for Love and War, starring Ranbir Kapoor, Alia Bhatt and Vicky Kaushal — a film already generating buzz as one of Bollywood’s most ambitious projects.
Dakota Johnson wore two Gucci looks at the Los Angeles premiere of Splitsville.
Her silver corset gown highlighted this year’s metallic fashion trend.
She later changed into an emerald Gucci minidress for the after-party.
Johnson described the film as a “soulful, unique comedy” exploring love and relationships.
Red carpet look
Dakota Johnson turned heads at the Los Angeles premiere of Splitsville, arriving in a striking silver Gucci gown with a leather finish and a draped corset that cinched at the waist. The outfit echoed the metallic trend that has dominated fashion this year.
The actress later switched outfits for the after-party, opting for a long-sleeved emerald Gucci minidress.
Adria Arjona and Dakota Johnson attend the Los Angeles premiere of "Splitsville" Getty Images
About the film
Splitsville is set for release on 22 August. The film explores the dynamics between two couples, weaving together the challenges of love, relationships and individuality.
Speaking to Deadline earlier this year, Johnson explained: “It has an interesting tone because I guess, off the bat, it reads as a comedy, but it’s a very soulful, unique comedy about two couples and the challenging dynamics of their relationships individually, and then their relationships intertwined with each other. It’s about the complexities of love.”
Splitsville is set for release on 22 AugustGetty Images
Johnson on non-monogamy
In the film, Johnson plays a woman in an open marriage. Reflecting on the subject, she shared her views on non-monogamy: “I think it’s such an interesting topic because I don’t feel like there’s one right way to love, or one right way to live your life, and I think human beings are being allowed to evolve.”
She added that while some prefer long-term monogamy, others may explore multiple relationships: “If you want to have multiple relationships in your life, great. If you want to go really deep with one person, great. If you want to have both of those at the same time, great. Why not, really? But also scary, you know?”
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The actress revealed that she no longer juggles multiple projects at once
Samantha Ruth Prabhu says she is entering a “new chapter” in her 15-year career.
The actress has slowed down her workload to focus on projects that truly inspire her.
She is prioritising both fitness and films, balancing work with physical and mental health.
Samantha will next be seen in Rakt Brahmand: The Bloody Kingdom, directed by Raj and DK.
A new chapter in her career
Samantha Ruth Prabhu has revealed she is stepping into a refreshing new phase of her career, where intention and passion guide her choices. After more than 15 years in the film industry, the actress said she is deliberately slowing her pace, focusing only on projects that connect deeply with her.
Choosing projects with passion
In an interview with Grazia India, Samantha explained: “I’ve reached a point where I do things I’m extremely passionate about, and that includes both fitness and films.” She admitted that in the past, not every project was one she fully connected with, but now — whether acting, producing, or investing in businesses — she commits wholeheartedly.
Balancing health and work
The actress revealed that she no longer juggles multiple projects at once, instead prioritising her physical and mental wellbeing. “I no longer shoot five films at a time. One thing I’ve realised is that I need to listen to my body, so I’ve reduced the amount of work I do. But now everything I do and put my energy into matters so much more. Nothing is for the heck of it. The quantity may have reduced, but the quality of projects has definitely increased.”
Recent and upcoming projects
Most recently, Samantha appeared in a cameo role in the Telugu film Subham. She was also seen in Prime Video’s action thriller Citadel: Honey Bunny, where she starred opposite Varun Dhawan in a spy series created by Raj and DK.
Looking ahead, she will feature in Rakt Brahmand: The Bloody Kingdom, another high-octane series directed by Raj and DK. Currently in production, the project also stars Aditya Roy Kapur, Ali Fazal, Wamiqa Gabbi, and Jaideep Ahlawat, and is expected to release in 2026.