When Yuva was released and flopped, things had just collapsed around Madhavan.

The young hero had set much store on that film. His gut-wrenching portrayal of a cold-blooded gangster seemed lost on an audience that had got used to see in a lover boy role.

After the film's failure Maddy went into a hibernation of sorts, concentrating on a Hindi film that was a remake of his own Nala Damayanthi. Of course, he is doing a couple of Tamil films. But nothing big enough to attract outside attraction.

But suddenly the tide has turned in his favor. Or so it seems. The media is agog with reports that he might do a direct Telugu film for the first time.

According to unconfirmed reports, Shekar Kammula, the hot-shot director of Anand, wants to cast him in his new movie. G V G Raju is producing the movie.

Madhavan is yet to confirm this development. Shekar too originally had said that he wanted to play newcomers in the film.

But if the development is indeed true, then this is a major break for Madhavan.

Elsewhere in Hindi, reports indicate that Madhavan is playing a pivotal role in Aamir Khan starrer Rang De Basanthi directed by Rakesh Mehra.

One report says that Madhavan is replacing Siddharth in the film. Another says Madhavan's is a totally new role.

Watch this space for more.