Not many Tamil actors gain equal popularity in Bollywood, but Madhavan is one among the exceptions. The actor, who has portrayed a variety of roles in B-town has received much appreciation and love from the Indian audience in this part of the country as well.

With super hits like Rehnaa Hai Tere Dil Mein and the recently released 3 Idiots to his name, Madhavan today, has become one of the most popular faces in Bollywood. Maddy, as he is known as in Mumbai, says that he has always loved the Hindi language and it is probably for this reason that he has been able to perform in Bollywood with equal élan.

Madhavan is of the opinion that Tamil actors should learn the language before setting foot on the Bollywood soil.

In the past, too, we have seen South Indian actors like Nagarjuna and Cheeranjavi acting in Bollywood films. However, none could gain the popular votes of the masses. So what is the secret behind the Madhavan's success?

Is it simply because of his traditional good-boy looks and the dimpled smile or because of the films that have landed on his lap? Madhavan would like to think that a lot depends on the character that an actor is portraying onscreen.

While he can have a Tamil accent while playing a South Indian, he should be able to speak proper Hindi to portray other roles.

Having tasted success in Bollywood, Madhavan advises his peers like Surya and Vikram to quickly learn the Hindi language, else with the advent of the ‘live sound' technique in Bollywood, it becomes difficult for producers in Mumbai to cast an actor who does not know Hindi.