Madhavan, Aishwarya Rai’s co-star was a big star. Then went broke, worked as bike mechanic, drove taxis. Then made a comeback

This Valentine’s week, Gautham Vasudev Menon’s directorial debut Minnale was re-released in theatres. The romantic drama features R. Madhavan, Reema Sen and Mirza Abbas Ali in the lead roles. The re-release reminds us of Abbas’ journey, how he went from being a known Tamil star to becoming penniless after facing several flops.

In the late 1990s, Abbas was one of the most recognisable faces in South cinema. He made a striking debut with Kadhal Desam (1996) and quickly became a heartthrob. With films like VIP, Pooveli, Padayappa and Kandukondain Kandukondain, he built a steady career. He also shared screen space with stars like Aishwarya Rai and earned a loyal fan following.

Why Abbas left the industry?

However, the early 2000s brought a downturn. A string of unsuccessful films affected his standing in the industry. Lead roles became fewer, and he was increasingly seen in supporting characters and cameos. Gradually, the offers slowed down. In later interviews, Abbas admitted that the failures hit him not only professionally but financially as well.



In a 2023 appearance on a YouTube channel reported, speaking about that phase, Abbas revealed that after a few films underperformed, he found himself in a severe financial crunch. He shared "I initially refrained from looking for alternative employment due to pride. But I soon went to producer RB Choudary and asked for a job. He gave me the chance to take part in the Pooveli movie. But soon I stopped going to movies because I was bored. I wasn’t having fun at work. I can still clearly remember telling my friends not to spend their time watching my Bollywood debut film Ansh: The Deadly Part because I thought it was bakavas."

Eventually, Abbas decided to step away from the industry and moved to New Zealand. There, life was far removed from film sets and flashing cameras. To support his family, he worked as a bike mechanic and also drove taxis.

In the same video and during an interview with Rednool a few years ago, Abbas also opened up about a much earlier struggle from his teenage years. He revealed that after failing his Class 10 exams and going through a painful breakup, he experienced suicidal thoughts. He described standing by the roadside once, contemplating a drastic step, when a sudden realisation changed his perspective.



He said he thought about how his action would deeply affect an innocent driver. That moment, he explained, shifted something within him and stopped him from harming himself.

During the Covid-19 pandemic, Abbas briefly reconnected with fans through Zoom calls from New Zealand. He shared that he wanted to reach out particularly to those battling depression, as he could relate to their feelings.

Abbas' work front

Now, after nearly a decade away from Tamil cinema, Abbas is set for a comeback. Reports in July 2025 confirmed that he will be part of a comedy family entertainer starring GV Prakash Kumar. The film is directed by Maria Raja Elenchezhian and backed by Beyond Pictures, as reported by DT Next.

Meanwhile, R Madhavan is currently gearing up for the releases of much-awaited sequel Dhurandhar: The Revenge, directed by Aditya Dhar. The film is slated to release on March 19, 2026.