Actor Madhavan shares Coimbatore-based GD Naidu's 5 incredible inventions: From a 1925 mechanical calculator to an electric razor

Long before smartphones, digital calculators and modern household gadgets became part of everyday life, Indian inventor G.D. Naidu was experimenting with technology and building practical machines. Now, actor R Madhavan, who portrays the legendary Coimbatore inventor in his recently released film G.D.N., has highlighted five of his remarkable creations. From a mechanical calculator to an electric razor, the inventions offer a glimpse into Naidu's extraordinary approach to engineering and his ability to turn ideas into useful technology.

R Madhavan shares G.D. Naidu's incredible inventions

R Madhavan, who has recently portrayed the role of Coimbatore-based inventor Gopalaswamy Doraiswamy Naidu, popularly known as G.D. Naidu, in his film G.D.N., shared a post on his Instagram Story highlighting some of the Indian innovator's inventions.

The post described Naidu's work as “incredible inventions” and featured five creations, including a mechanical calculator, vote recording machine, electric razor, and electric motor.


The accompanying caption asked, “Did you know these inventions came from the mind of Coimbatore's legendary G.D. Naidu?” It added that his experiments showed how “far ahead of his time” he was and described him as an engineering icon whose legacy continues to make Coimbatore proud.

Mechanical calculator

One of the inventions highlighted in the post was a mechanical calculator. The post described it as a mechanical device designed to perform mathematical calculations without modern electronics. According to the post shared by Madhavan, the machine demonstrated G.D. Naidu's early talent for practical engineering and innovation.

At a time when electronic calculators were not part of everyday life, the concept reflected Naidu's interest in developing machines that could simplify practical tasks.

Vote recording machine

Another invention featured in the post was a vote recording machine. The machine was designed to record votes while helping prevent tampering and manipulation, according to the information shared by Madhavan.

The invention also reflected Naidu's interest in applying technology to areas beyond conventional engineering. His work on a voting-related machine showed an attempt to use mechanical innovation to address a real-world challenge.

Rasant electric razor

Madhavan's post also highlighted the Rasant electric razor, dated to mid-1930s. The electrically powered shaving device was designed to make personal grooming quicker and easier. The post described it as one of Naidu's notable consumer-focused innovations.

The razor is another example of his approach to engineering. Rather than limiting his experiments to industrial machinery, Naidu also explored products that could be used in everyday life.

Electric motor

The fourth invention highlighted was an electric motor. According to the post shared by Madhavan, the electric motor was developed and manufactured through G.D. Naidu's industrial ventures in Coimbatore.

The post also noted that the work contributed to the city's growing reputation as an engineering and manufacturing hub, linking Naidu's inventions with Coimbatore's industrial development.

Juice extractor

The fifth invention,was a juice extractor, a mechanically operated device designed to extract juice from fruits. The invention demonstrated Naidu's ability to take relatively simple mechanical principles and turn them into practical devices for everyday use.

Who was G.D. Naidu?

Gopalaswamy Doraiswamy Naidu was born in Kalangal in Coimbatore district of the erstwhile Madras Presidency. His career went far beyond the five inventions highlighted in Madhavan's Instagram Story. Reportedly, during the Second World War, Naidu manufactured electronic components, including capacitors and resistors, in Coimbatore.

He later built a wide range of products, including voting machines, juice extractors, coin-operated phonographs, electronic calculators, lathes, projectors, five-valve radios, vending machines, kerosene-run fans and a distance adjuster for film cameras. His diverse experiments established him as an inventor with an unusually broad interest in practical technology.

R Madhavan plays G.D. Naidu in G.D.N. movie

Madhavan's interest in Naidu's inventions comes as he portrays the pioneering inventor in the biographical drama G.D.N. The film is based on the life of G.D. Naidu, the noted inventor and industrialist, with Madhavan playing the central role. Set during a period of rapid transformation in India, the story follows Naidu's efforts to develop his ideas and pursue technological innovation while also depicting the challenges he faced.

G.D.N. arrived in theatres worldwide on August 7, 2026.