:: Mumbai Age

Maddy to grill Murthy

Anupama Subramanian | Chennai

It all started with a simple comment made by Infosys Chairman Narayana Murthy in response to a request to address the Salaam India Expo, which is being held in Singapore from August 15 to 19 to showcase the best Indian companies, products and services. "Why have a monologue? Why not have a two way interaction?" he asked. And quite unexpectedly, he added, "I’d like actor Madhavan to interview me."

And what Narayana Murthy wants, he gets. The interview that was casually mentioned in passing, is actually taking place on August 17 at Singapore.

An elated Madhavan who has been on cloud 9 ever since he received the e-mail from the organisers spoke to this newspaper about the entire episode. "I’ve saved that e-mail in my laptop, and I’m going to keep it forever. I’ve always been a big fan of Mr. Narayana Murthy, so when I heard that he wanted me to interview him, I felt like ten of my movies releasing simultaneously." He added that he would never forget an interview of Narayana Murthy with Bill Gates where he had said, ‘The real power of money is the power to give it away’.

The actor is hoping his interaction with Murthy will have its both entertaining and informative moments. "I have been given this big responsibility and I have been preparing myself really well to interview an intellectual like Mr Murthy."

Maddy, who just returned from Singapore where his latest film Aarya was released, is going back for the interview. He rushed back with his wife Saritha and little son Vedaanth. He says that he does not mind going back so quickly. "Even if they had called me to Switzerland for the interview, I would have gone without a second thought. My wife did not want to miss being there for such a great moment in my life, and so she’s coming with me to watch it live," he said.

The Expo, which is being held to commemorate India’s sixtieth year of independence, has been organised by Zak Trade Fairs and Exhibitions and the Singapore Tourism Board (STB). Actress/ director Suhasini Mani Rathnam will also give a talk at the event.