R Madhavan on growing older, warns about post-retirement life after 60: 'Being dependent physically or financially is worse than hell'
ETimes | May 3, 2026 1:39 AM CST
R Madhavan has opened up about ageing, life planning and the challenges of staying relevant in a rapidly changing world. Speaking about his current work and personal reflections, the actor emphasised that while people are living longer today, very few are truly prepared for what comes after retirement.
In an insightful conversation with Varun Dua, Madhavan shared that he is embracing roles that align with his real-life phase. “I’m playing a very age-appropriate role... there’s a lot more grey than the last time,” he said, acknowledging the natural process of ageing, while talking about his web series Legacy.
‘Living till 90 is not such a big deal anymore’Highlighting advancements in medical science, the actor pointed out that longevity is increasingly becoming the norm. “If you stay healthy and take care of your lifestyle, staying alive till 90 is not such a big deal anymore... even 90 to 100 years is becoming a reality,” he noted.
However, he quickly added a caution—while lifespan is increasing, life planning has not kept pace.
‘The next 30 years of your life are not charted’Madhavan broke down life into three phases to explain the gap in long-term planning. “The first 30 years of your life are properly charted... the next 30 years are about building your career and family. But at 60, there is a hard stop. The next 30 years of your life are not charted. There’s no plan,” he said.
According to him, this lack of preparation can drastically impact one’s quality of life. “That can be the difference between heaven and hell,” he added.
Fear of losing independenceWhen asked about his biggest fears, the actor was candid. “My worst fear is being dependent—physically or financially—on someone. That is worse than hell for me,” he admitted.
He also spoke about the importance of dignity and contribution in later years. “Loss of dignity is something I cannot accept. I should be able to contribute, otherwise I’d rather not be a part of it,” he said.
Reflecting on retirement, Madhavan highlighted how abruptly life can change, especially in structured careers. “One Monday you’re a ‘sir’, the next day you’re just a citizen. You lose that relevance, that authority,” he explained.
He stressed that people often underestimate the emotional and psychological impact of this transition.
Finding purpose beyond survivalThe actor also spoke about the importance of discovering a higher purpose. “The only way to get rid of your small issues is to find a higher purpose to serve. When you start serving others, your problems seem smaller,” he said.
However, he acknowledged that reaching that stage requires stability. “It’s very difficult to think about serving others when your own survival—health or finances—is at stake,” he added.
‘60 is the new 45, but 45 is the new 30 financially’Summing up the paradox of modern life, Madhavan pointed out a growing imbalance. “60 is the new 45 in terms of health—I can still be active. But financially, 45 is the new 30. You’re not stable yet,” he observed.
This, he believes, calls for a complete rethink of how people approach life planning.
Madhavan concluded by urging people to plan holistically—for health, finances and emotional well-being. “If you’re going to live longer, you have to plan better—not just for money, but for purpose, relevance and independence,” he said.
In an insightful conversation with Varun Dua, Madhavan shared that he is embracing roles that align with his real-life phase. “I’m playing a very age-appropriate role... there’s a lot more grey than the last time,” he said, acknowledging the natural process of ageing, while talking about his web series Legacy.
‘Living till 90 is not such a big deal anymore’Highlighting advancements in medical science, the actor pointed out that longevity is increasingly becoming the norm. “If you stay healthy and take care of your lifestyle, staying alive till 90 is not such a big deal anymore... even 90 to 100 years is becoming a reality,” he noted.
However, he quickly added a caution—while lifespan is increasing, life planning has not kept pace.
‘The next 30 years of your life are not charted’Madhavan broke down life into three phases to explain the gap in long-term planning. “The first 30 years of your life are properly charted... the next 30 years are about building your career and family. But at 60, there is a hard stop. The next 30 years of your life are not charted. There’s no plan,” he said.
According to him, this lack of preparation can drastically impact one’s quality of life. “That can be the difference between heaven and hell,” he added.
Fear of losing independenceWhen asked about his biggest fears, the actor was candid. “My worst fear is being dependent—physically or financially—on someone. That is worse than hell for me,” he admitted.
He also spoke about the importance of dignity and contribution in later years. “Loss of dignity is something I cannot accept. I should be able to contribute, otherwise I’d rather not be a part of it,” he said.
Reflecting on retirement, Madhavan highlighted how abruptly life can change, especially in structured careers. “One Monday you’re a ‘sir’, the next day you’re just a citizen. You lose that relevance, that authority,” he explained.
He stressed that people often underestimate the emotional and psychological impact of this transition.
Finding purpose beyond survivalThe actor also spoke about the importance of discovering a higher purpose. “The only way to get rid of your small issues is to find a higher purpose to serve. When you start serving others, your problems seem smaller,” he said.
However, he acknowledged that reaching that stage requires stability. “It’s very difficult to think about serving others when your own survival—health or finances—is at stake,” he added.
‘60 is the new 45, but 45 is the new 30 financially’Summing up the paradox of modern life, Madhavan pointed out a growing imbalance. “60 is the new 45 in terms of health—I can still be active. But financially, 45 is the new 30. You’re not stable yet,” he observed.
This, he believes, calls for a complete rethink of how people approach life planning.
Madhavan concluded by urging people to plan holistically—for health, finances and emotional well-being. “If you’re going to live longer, you have to plan better—not just for money, but for purpose, relevance and independence,” he said.
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