Tamil superstar R. Madhavan has scored over Bollywood star Saif Ali Khan with his youthful looks getting him the job of anchor of Sony TV's new game show "Deal Ya No Deal".

Several contenders, including Saif, were said to have been in the fray. But Sony TV picked up Madhavan. And now the "Ramji Londonwale" actor, Maddy to his fans, has cut his hair short for his latest TV avatar.

The change is aimed at restoring his old "boyish" image, considered essential by the producers of the programme. He has been sporting long hair for months now.

The show, produced by Miditech in association with Endemol BV, offers prize money of Rs.10 million ($220,000) to participants in the game. It is expected to go on air Nov 23.

"Deal Ya No Deal" is Sony's own version of the original game show called "Deal Or No Deal".

Some observers feel the TV show may revive Madhavan's somewhat sagging cinematic fortunes. His recent "Ramji Londonwale", a remake of the successful Tamil comedy "Nala Damyanthi", wasn't well received at the box office.

Madhavan is the fourth prominent Tamil film star to anchor a TV game show.

Sarath Kumar set the trend with "Koteeswaran" on Sun TV, modelled on Amitabh Bachchan's "Kaun Banega Crorepati". Sarath's "Naan thayaar, neengal thayaraa?" (I am ready, are you?) became nearly as popular in Tamil Nadu as Amitabh's "Lock kar dein?"

Khushboo's "Jackpot" on Jaya TV continues to be a hit despite the political controversy on her remarks on pre-martial sex in a magazine interview.

Meena, another Tamil actress, made her entry into the television world as the hostess of a game show called "House Full". It was launched on Jaya TV last month and is reported to be doing well.

Madhavan's next film, to be made in both Tamil and Telugu, will be "Arya" and his co-star will be Malayalam actress Bhavana. The film is being directed by Balasekharan and produced by Manoj Kumar and Vijay Anand.