R. Madhavan (born June 1, 1970) is an Indian actor, writer, and film producer. He works in films made in many different languages, especially Hindi and Tamil. He is known for his versatile acting and for appearing in both romantic and serious roles.

Madhavan was born in Jamshedpur, Bihar (now in Jharkhand), India. He went to school at D.B.M.S. English School in Jamshedpur. He later studied engineering at Rajaram College in Kolhapur. During his college years, he also became involved in public speaking and represented India at cultural exchange programs.

Madhavan first became famous on television. He acted in popular Indian TV shows like Banegi Apni Baat and Sea Hawks in the 1990s. He made his official film debut in an English film called Inferno in 1997. His big break in films came with the Tamil movie Alaipayuthey (2000), directed by Mani Ratnam. The movie was a big hit and made Madhavan a well-known actor in Tamil cinema.

In 2001, he acted in Minnale (2001) which was also a commerical success and considered an important film for him. He even acted in the Hindi remake Rehnaa Hai Terre Dil Mein in the same year, doing the same role, which was also his first leading role in a Hindi film. Unlike the original Tamil version, its remake did not do as well at first, but it later became a cult favorite over the years. Madhavan also gained recognition for his roles in films like Kannathil Muthamittal (2002), Anbe Sivam (2003), Rang De Basanti (2006), Guru (2007), and 3 Idiots (2009). The film 3 Idiots was a huge success and is one of the highest-grossing Indian films ever.

Madhavan received praise for his performance in the Tamil film Irudhi Suttru (2016), in which he played a boxing coach. He was also the co-writer and producer of this film. The Hindi version, titled Saala Khadoos, was released at the same time.

In addition to acting, Madhavan has directed and produced films. In 2022, he made his directorial debut with Rocketry: The Nambi Effect, a biographical film about Indian scientist Nambi Narayanan. Madhavan acted in the lead role and also wrote and produced the movie.

Madhavan is married to Sarita Birje, and they have one son, Vedaant. He is known for keeping his personal life private. He enjoys reading, playing golf, and promoting social causes. Madhavan also supports environmental and animal welfare campaigns.

Madhavan has won several awards for his acting, including Filmfare Awards and Tamil Nadu State Film Awards. He is admired for his ability to act in a variety of roles, from romantic heroes to serious characters.

R. Madhavan is one of India's most respected and versatile actors. Over the years, he has built a strong career in both Hindi and Tamil cinema, and continues to work in different areas of filmmaking.