Madhoo: I’ll continue to work until I’m at least 80 years old, with all of my lines and wrinkles present

Actress Madhoo says she has no regrets about leaving the movie industry during the height of her career in the 1990s. Now that she has returned with a part in the highly acclaimed television series “Sweet Kaaram Coffee,” she says her new objective is to work with all of her “lines and wrinkles.”

Madhoo, who is known for movies like “Roja” and “Phool Aur Kaante,” portrays a housewife in the Prime Video series about three generations of women who go on a road trip.

The eight-episode series stars veteran actors Lakshmi, Madhoo, and Santhy Balachandran as mother-in-law Sundari, daughter-in-law Kaveri, and granddaughter Niveditha.

The actress said that the affection for the characters in the program, especially the one portrayed by Lakshmi—a beloved performer with more than 50 years of experience in Hindi and all the South Indian languages—proves that talent knows no bounds.

Despite being 70 years old, Lakshmi aunty is receiving affection. She is not altering her physical size or concealing any facial wrinkles in order to fit into any certain image. She is simply a devoted granny who delivered such a lovely performance. I’m hoping I’ll go in that direction.

“In my view, it is now the credo: I’ll keep working until I’m 70 or 80. Regardless of my age, when someone comes to me, I would work with all of my creases and wrinkles, Madhoo said in an interview with PTI.

The actress recently discussed leaving the business because she was dissatisfied with the jobs that were being given to her.

The 54-year-old actor said that experience has taught her to be patient about chances when asked whether her attitude has changed now that she is back to acting full-time.

“I was also young and arrogant when I quit the profession feeling dissatisfied as an actor. I decided based on feelings. So, when I was a young adult, perhaps in my mid-20s, I made a decision.

“Now that I’m older and in my 50s, I believe my earlier self to have been quite emotional and immature. That individual won’t make such a call today. I’ll continue to bide my time like I have been doing. I’ll never leave the field that has helped me find my identity and earn respect, she said.

Madhoo is pleased that there is a new world in the era of streamers, one where technicians may find work without being dependent on the theater industry.

“Stars have an expiration date. People could comment that you are beyond your prime, but that only applies to stars. However, if you are an actor or artist, you are constantly present. As a result, the world as it exists now is one for performers. You’ll have work if you’re a talented artist, she said.

Madhoo said that all of her actor buddies from the 1990s are now working on various projects.

“Everything in movie theaters is based on figures and box office revenue. At this point in my life, I would not have had the chance to perform this character. These (streamers) were not present when I departed. Since I’ve been back, the world has changed for the better, she said.

The actress made her Hindi film debut in the smash movie “Phool Aur Kaante” before moving on to appear in Mani Ratnam’s “Roja,” which was also a big hit in Tamil and Hindi. She appeared in other films from the 1990s in between, including “Allari Priyudu,” “Yodha,” “Gentleman,” “Elaan,” “Diya Aur Toofan,” “Diljale,” and “Mere Sapno Ki Rani.”

The fact that many of her admirers still refer to Madhoo as the “Roja girl” makes her pleased but also little sad, according to Madhoo, who cited her work in other films after the 1992 romance set against the Kashmir uprising.

“Many people have informed me that I would never be able to top my portrayal in ‘Roja’. I appreciate that. I keep saying that ‘Roja’ is the reason why people still remember me after 30 years. But in some ways, it always made me feel sad and let down since I accomplished so much after ‘Roja’ that nobody knows about and speaks about, the actor remarked.

Since “Roja” was her last film, the actress thinks that her portrayal in “Sweet Kaaram Coffee” represents the journey she has been on.

“A fan messaged me and said, ‘Roja has now become Kaveri,’ which was the finest praise I ever had for ‘Sweet Kaaram Coffee. Some people have said that this is my best performance to yet, according to me.

“Kaveri is now a common name on people’s lips. I won’t say it took over ‘Roja,’ but it moved me because I feel like I finally accomplished something that makes people judge me on my performance,” she remarked.

Madhoo hopes the show is picked up for a second season so she may reprise her role as Kaveri.

“There are times when you appreciate something and believe you did a great job, but other people don’t feel the same way about it. You feel terrible about it, but this tale, in my opinion, conveyed the same sadness from beginning to finish,” she remarked.

The actress claims that another unique quality of Kaveri is that she gains her empowerment from inside.

She gave the author of the program, Reshma Ghalata, as well as the show’s directors, Bejoy Nambiar, Krishna Marimuthu, and Swathi Raghuraaman, credit for coming up with a lovely plot.

“I like the idea that she still returns to the same home, takes on the same duties, and feels strong. The ability to express who you are also gives you strength.

“The authors and creators deserve all the credit. I really feel so lucky that I got to play this lead role,” she said.