Madhavan's Co-Star Abbas Drove a Taxi After Film Career Collapsed

In 2018, Abbas told a Tamil YouTube channel that he had been driving a cab in Chennai to support his family. He said he did not want to beg for roles or rely on others. The revelation drew sympathy and led to a small comeback in character roles.

Abbas later appeared in the 2023 Tamil film "Maamannan" and a few web series. He has said he is grateful for the second chance and does not regret the taxi years. "I learned who my real friends were," he said in a 2024 interview.

The story of Abbas is one of several in the Tamil film industry where actors from the 1990s faced financial hardship after their peak. Unlike some who turned to politics or business, Abbas chose to work a regular job rather than wait for handouts.