“There is no recognition for achievements in cinema… I have now decided to move towards commercial cinema,” says Director Shiv Madhav!

“There is no recognition for achievements in cinema… I have now decided to move towards commercial cinema,” says Director Shiv Madhav!

Chennai 17 August 2026 Director Shiv Madhav is one of the few filmmakers who entered the industry with innovative attempts right from the beginning. His 2023 directorial venture ‘3.6.9’ was a science-based film that created a unique place for itself.

The film created a world record as the first film to be shot in just 81 minutes, and also became the first film from Tamil Nadu to achieve two world records.

Released in more than 100 theatres across Tamil Nadu and Karnataka, the film received appreciation from critics. However, due to the lack of proper promotions, it did not reach the larger audience as expected.

Now, Shiv Madhav is gearing up for his next venture — a grand commercial superhero film blending science fiction and fantasy, featuring leading actors from Tamil, Telugu, Malayalam and Kannada cinema.

The film’s pre-production work and miniature work are currently progressing at a brisk pace.

Speaking about his new film, director Shiv Madhav said:

“My first film was ‘3.6.9’. It became the first film from Tamil Nadu to achieve two world records. Even in Hollywood, no one had attempted something like this. But unfortunately, people did not even get to know that one person had made a film with 100 actors in just 81 minutes.

After achieving those two world records, I thought things would move to the next level. But nothing happened the way I had expected. It felt like all my dreams had collapsed.

In North India and Kerala, when people come to know about such an achievement, they give it a lot of recognition. But unfortunately, I did not receive the same kind of recognition in my own Tamil Nadu.

At the same time, over the last three years, several producers approached me and asked me to make another film based on a record. But I did not want to continue being identified only as a filmmaker who makes record-setting films. The reason is that there is hardly any recognition for such achievements here.

Cinema is also a business. So, with that understanding, I have decided to move towards commercial cinema and have prepared myself for my next film.

This new film also has a strong scientific background. I am attempting something on a Hollywood scale, with large sets and several practical elements instead of depending completely on CGI.

The film will be a big-budget commercial entertainer with extensive use of miniatures. It is set in the 1980s and combines science and fantasy with a superhero subject. I am travelling forward with the confidence that the kind of cinema I have always wanted to make is finally going to happen.

Whenever I think about doing something that nobody in the world has attempted before, the challenge is to bring that idea onto the screen in the way I imagine it. This new film will have all the regular elements of commercial cinema. At the same time, there is a particular idea that I want to convey, and that will also be part of this film.

I am once again attempting to create a world record. But this time, I want to bring in several new elements in the making of the film and attempt something on par with Hollywood.

Over the past three years, I have learnt a lot about the possibilities in VFX, AI and other technical aspects of filmmaking. After learning all this, I am now ready to step into the field and make the film.

The actors and technicians we are bringing on board are also big names. The pre-production work is now underway, and the miniature work has already begun.

The shooting is scheduled to begin in October, and the entire film will be shot at Ramoji Film City.

Bhagyaraj sir acted in my first film, and I had planned to have him act in this film as well. Unfortunately, he is no longer with us.

Whenever I felt low or discouraged, Bhagyaraj sir would tell me, ‘Shiva, you have great potential. Move forward with confidence. You can do it.’ His words always gave me the strength to keep going.

Many times, he would invite me to his home, talk to me, motivate me and send me back with renewed confidence. Losing such a mentor has been a great pain for me.

On the day he passed away, I was standing near his feet. He knew how difficult it was for me to make my first film. He had also spoken about the film and supported me on many occasions.

Even today, I strongly believe that his blessings are with me,” he says emotionally.