He captured our hearts as the young lover in Alaipayuthe. As a caring dad in Kannathil Muthamittal, city slicker in Run and Anbe Sivam and the ruffian in Aytha Ezhuthu. Although critically acclaimed, his popularity ebbed low over the years. His recent release, Priyasaki, has not exactly set the cash registers ringing. But he has a bagful of releases. Thambi is slated for next month. Another project under the Oscar Films banner in Jeeva’s direction and a Balasekaran film produced by Manoj Kumar will hit the theatres soon. Madhavan is desperate for a success.