Bollywood actor R Madhavan candidly revisited the emotional rollercoaster surrounding his 2001 romantic drama Rehnaa Hai Terre Dil Mein (RHTDM), during an appearance at the International Film Festival of India (IFFI) 2024. The actor revealed his heartbreak following the film’s initial box-office failure but expressed gratitude for its surprising resurgence decades later.
Speaking to ANI, Madhavan admitted to seeking divine intervention at the time of RHTDM’s release. “When it first released, it didn’t do well; it was a flop. So I remember being heartbroken. I had gone to all the temples and made sure I had left no stone unturned to make the film the way it was supposed to, but it was heartbreaking,” he shared.
The film, directed by Gautham Vasudev Menon and produced by Vashu Bhagnani’s Pooja Entertainment, initially failed to strike a chord with audiences. However, its recent re-release 23 years later witnessed an overwhelming response, surpassing its original box-office earnings.
“Little did I realise that fortune and fate had a big story for me,” Madhavan reflected on the unexpected revival. “It (re-)released after 25 years and made more money than it did originally. It’s wonderful to be recognised for doing a film 25 years later.”
Madhavan was particularly moved by the audience’s enthusiasm for the re-release. Speaking to News18 earlier, he noted, “The craziness and the involvement of the audiences in the theatres is something that is both baffling and, at the same time, so charming to see. People don’t mind that it’s not technologically up-to-date or that it’s 23-year-old content. They are still coming to theaters for the community watching experience, paying good money to watch a love story that has resonated with them for 23 years.”
The original cast of RHTDM included Dia Mirza and Saif Ali Khan alongside Madhavan. The film has since become a cult classic, cherished for its music and timeless romance.
On the professional front, Madhavan was last seen in Shaitaan with Ajay Devgn, which garnered rave reviews. He is set to feature in Shankara and De De Pyaar De 2, sharing the screen once again with Ajay Devgn and Rakul Preet Singh.
