R. Madhavan Says Gen Z Prefers Korean Dramas and Anime Over Hindi, Tamil Films
R. Madhavan Says Gen Z Prefers Korean Dramas and Anime Over Hindi, Tamil Films
22 July, 2026: Actor R. Madhavan has shared his concerns over the changing entertainment preferences of younger audiences, saying that many people from his son Vedant’s generation are no longer interested in watching Hindi or Tamil films. According to the actor, today’s youth are increasingly drawn to Korean dramas and Japanese anime, making it a challenge for Indian cinema to stay connected with them.
Speaking during the promotions of his upcoming film GDN, Madhavan said the issue is not that Indian films are losing audiences to another country’s film industry. Instead, he believes younger viewers are embracing an entirely different form of storytelling that has gained global popularity.
Reflecting on his 20-year-old son Vedant’s generation, Madhavan said he fears that younger audiences are becoming disconnected from Indian cinema. While he has earned the respect of his son, he admitted that people of his son’s age group are consuming content very differently.
“They’re watching Japanese anime and Korean content. They don’t even want to watch Tamil films, and many are not interested in going to theatres to watch Hindi or Indian movies,” the actor said in an interview with Cinema Express.
Madhavan also spoke about his own career choices, revealing that he could have continued making commercial entertainers that are more likely to deliver box-office success. However, he said he consciously decided to pursue films that offer greater artistic depth and allow him to showcase his abilities as an actor.
The actor explained that his life experiences have shaped his approach to cinema, and he now looks for roles that challenge him rather than simply following successful commercial formulas. He added that filmmakers and actors have a responsibility to create meaningful stories that inspire audiences and leave a lasting impact.
According to Madhavan, the changing viewing habits seen among young audiences in Tamil Nadu are part of a larger global trend. He believes the film industry must understand these evolving preferences and adapt by producing stories that resonate with the new generation.
In an earlier interaction, Madhavan had also spoken about raising his son with a sense of gratitude despite the success he achieved later in life. He said that although he was able to provide Vedant with opportunities he never had growing up, he always wanted to ensure his son remained grounded.
Meanwhile, Madhavan’s upcoming film GDN is based on the life of inventor and industrialist Gopalaswamy Doraiswamy Naidu, often called the “Edison of India.” The biographical drama follows the remarkable journey of the self-taught innovator, who made pioneering contributions to engineering despite having no formal technical education.
