Claim: R. Madhavan was in 3 Idiots, the highest grossing Indian film of all time upon release.

Ranganathan Madhavan -LRB- born 1 June 1970 -RRB- is an Indian actor , writer and film producer . Madhavan has received two Filmfare Awards , an award from the Tamil Nadu State Film Awards alongside recognition and nominations from other organisations . He has been described as one of the few actors in India who is able to achieve pan-Indian appeal , appearing in films from seven different languages .   Madhavan began his acting career with television guest appearances , including a role on the Zee TV prime-time soap opera Banegi Apni Baat in 1996 . After appearing in commercials and in small roles , he later gained recognition in the Tamil film industry through Mani Ratnam 's successful romance film Alaipayuthey -LRB- 2000 -RRB- . Madhavan soon developed an image as a romantic hero with notable roles in two of 2001 's highest grossing Tamil films , Gautham Menon 's directorial debut Minnale and Madras Talkies ' Dumm Dumm Dumm . He worked with Mani Ratnam again in the critically acclaimed 2002 film Kannathil Muthamittal playing the father of an adopted girl , whilst he achieved commercial success with his role in N. Linguswamy 's action film , Run -LRB- 2002 -RRB- .   Madhavan was cast alongside Kamal Haasan in the 2003 drama Anbe Sivam , which earned him two notable awards for Best Supporting Actor . In 2004 , he gave a critically acclaimed performance as the antagonist in the multi-starrer Aayutha Ezhuthu and the film secured him his first Filmfare Award for the intense portrayal of a rogue . In the mid-2000s , Madhavan also actively pursued a career in Hindi films , by appearing in supporting roles in three highly successful productions , Rakeysh Omprakash Mehra 's Rang De Basanti -LRB- 2006 -RRB- , Mani Ratnam 's biopic Guru -LRB- 2007 -RRB- and Rajkumar Hirani 's 3 Idiots -LRB- 2009 -RRB- , which went on to become the highest grossing Indian film of all time upon release . He simultaneously worked on Tamil films , gaining critical acclaim for his portrayal of a vigilante in his home production Evano Oruvan -LRB- 2007 -RRB- and for the successful bilingual horror film , Yavarum Nalam -LRB- 2009 -RRB- . After appearing in further box office hits , Tanu Weds Manu -LRB- 2011 -RRB- and Vettai -LRB- 2012 -RRB- , Madhavan took a break from acting . Returning after a three-year sabbatical in 2015 , his comeback films , the romantic-comedy Tanu Weds Manu Returns -LRB- 2015 -RRB- and the sports drama Irudhi Suttru -LRB- 2016 -RRB- , both won critical and commercial acclaim .   In addition to his acting career , Madhavan has worked as a writer on his films , hosted television programmes and has been a prominent celebrity endorser for brands and products . He has also worked as a film producer , first making Evano Oruvan with Leukos Films , before setting up Tricolour Films to produce Saala Khadoos -LRB- 2016 -RRB- . Madhavan is noted for his philanthropic activities and promotes various causes such as environment , health and education . He is particularly vocal about the protection of animals and was awarded PETA 's Person of the Year recognition in 2012 .