Audience willing to dabble with regional films: R Madhavan

Mumbai: Actor R Madhavan says today Bollywood is facing tough competition not only from regional cinema but also Hollywood films which are taking bigger openings at the box office.

"Right now, not only regional films but also Hollywood films are getting bigger openings than Bollywood movies. Audience is willing to watch a movie of a different language with subtitles rather than films in their own language," Madhavan told PTI.

The 46-year-old actor feels the language barrier today is diminishing and cited the example of Marathi film "Sairat" which went on to become a blockbuster.

"Across the country there is no more language divide. A small Marathi film like 'Sairat' is such a huge hit all over and is even the biggest grosser than any other film in Mumbai circuit. Now that shows a lot," he said.

The "Tanu Weds Manu Returns" star feels while competing with Hollywood and regional cinema was always challenging, it is high time the makers start treating the audience smartly.

"It has alway been challenging. You can't be taking things for granted. Today more than hardwork, you are also required to be intelligent. You have to treat your audience smartly. The content has to be strong," he said.

Currently, the actor is excited for the TV premiere of his first home production "Saala Khadoos" on June 26 on Sony Max.

Directed by debutante Sudha Kongara Prasad, the sports -drama featured Madhavan as a boxing coach, who has a reputation of being a hard task-master and also starred boxer Ritika Singh.

The actor says not many people were wiling to back the project and finally his close friend filmmaker Rajkumar Hirani came on board to co-produce the film, which he feels, will always be remembered.

"I had to break my image and convince people that I can be this rude, brute man. Nobody was willing to see what I was seeing. Then I decided to produce the film and friends like Rajkumar Hirani also joined in," he said.

"More than my performance, I think the film as a whole will be remembered. I am excited for the TV premiere because that way more people will be able to watch it," Madhavan added.

Madhavan wants to focus on just acting for at least a year before moving on to his next production.