Madhavan, Tamil cinema's favourite lover boy, is in search of a new image that will let him do roles oriented for mass audiences.

Recently in Bangalore to attend the premiere of his latest release "Thambi", he talked about his desire for an image makeover. "I want to become a complete actor. 'Thambi' certainly shows a face of mine, which has not been seen before.

"The role has different shades and I have had an opportunity to innovate and experiment. Everything starting from my looks and hairdo to dialogue delivery is different," Madhavan told.

He elaborated: "I am not telling you that 'Thambi' is my first film in the action genre. I had done a full-length action film like 'Run'.

"(Director) Mani Ratnam also presented me in different shades in 'Aayudha Ezhuthu'. But in 'Thambi' director Seeman has really given me a role which will form an important milestone in my career.

"Whenever I go abroad," Madhavan said, "people talk to me about 'Anbe Sivam' and 'Kannathil Muththamittaal' (classy films that won critical acclaim), but people in Tiruchi, Toothukudi or Thanjavur will say that they liked me particularly in 'Run'.

"Now my ambition is to penetrate into the interiors and make myself a good brand even in Tiruchi or Cannanore," said Madhavan.

Madhavan started his career with the Kannada film "Shanthi Shanthi Shanthi" before being introduced to the Tamil industry by Mani Ratnam in "Alai Payudhe".

He has signed the film "Arya" to be directed by debutant director Bala Shekhar. The movie will deal with a soft-spoken medical student turning into a "violent volcano" after being subjected to humiliation and violent harassment by a bunch of hooligans.

Madhavan claimed: "I don't say that I am now taking up action-oriented films only because they are winning at the box office.

"I have really wanted to break out this image trap of a lover boy. The label had stuck to me like a bubble gum after the release of 'Alai Payudhe'."