Also read – R Madhavan calls wife Sarita a ‘blood hound’ when it comes to keeping accounts, recalls losing Rs 30 lakh when he followed dad’s advice

But over time, Madhavan said, horizons broadened. He said that investing in real estate wasn’t necessarily enhancing an actor’s career. “Now, they have the opportunity to substantiate their income with endeavours like this (VFX companies, production, cosmetics, etc). They’re able to generate an income and maintain a lifestyle beyond their acting career,” he said.

Madhavan said that being financially astute also enables actors to take risks creatively, as they don’t need to burden producers by demanding hefty up-front salaries. Implying that profit-sharing is the way forward, he said, “The producer is the biggest victim in filmmaking today. If they’re able to generate enough income to maintain their lifestyle, they will take risks, and their conviction will be proven if their film works, or they’ll be out on the roads.” Madhavan said that ‘education’ is extremely important to ‘survive’ in the film business today.

Speaking about the mental fortitude that junior artistes in the industry must have to survive, he said, “You need financial stability to think lucidly. If money is going to be a problem, you’ve lost half the battle already. You’re going to be so stressed, you’re going to be making decisions to make that money. Very few stars have the ability to say, ‘Boss, I don’t need the money, let’s make the movie. The more financially literate actors come into the industry, it’ll help…”

In an earlier interview with Mashable, Madhavan said that he is insecure about money to this day. “I’m really insecure about my bank account. I really don’t know how much I have, and how much I can afford to scrutinise it, because I don’t know what will come of it. I have a broad understanding of (how much I have),” he said.