Actor R Madhavan, who recently marked 27 years of marriage with his wife Sarita, once shared insights into what keeps their relationship strong. Despite being surrounded by glamour and working with some of the most admired actresses in the industry, he said that staying committed was never difficult for him.‘My Wife Sarita’ — The Strongest Support SystemIn a 2015 interview with ETimes, Madhavan openly spoke about his bond with Sarita and credited her as his biggest source of strength. When asked who he loved the most, his response was immediate and heartfelt.“My wife Sarita. She understands me completely, keeps me totally grounded and is also my complete foil who takes care of my son, my parents and my finances. She gives me the complete freedom that I so desire to be an effective actor. She is used to my temper and follies and is fearless in telling me how good or bad I am.”Highlighting her contribution to the family, he added: “She never actually expresses how hard she works for me and for the sake of the family and never expects credit for it. She is more of a child to my parents than I am and they adore her. I am very lucky to have her in my life.”Choosing HomeMadhavan admitted that while he acknowledges beauty, his priorities have always been clear when it comes to relationships.“At the end of the day, I am that darpok Madrasi middle-class man and while I am extremely attracted to attractive girls, at the end of the day, I balance off going back home and cuddling my wife as opposed to giving an excuse on why I am not there.”Transparency from the BeginningHe revealed that honesty and openness have been a foundation of their relationship since the very start.“From the beginning of our relationship, she did not even have to ask, my mobiles are always with her and my accounts are always with her.”Advice from Mani Ratnam That Shaped His MarriageMadhavan also shared a valuable lesson he received from filmmaker Mani Ratnam, which influenced his outlook on relationships.“Mani Ratnam gave me an advice on how not to have to test relationships. He said, ‘When there is something going good with a relationship, don’t keep testing it to see how much she loves you. Just let it be.’ Sometimes testing is the thing that spoils everything.”Staying Grounded Despite StardomWhen he rose to fame and gained immense attention, Madhavan made a conscious effort to stay transparent and grounded in his personal life.“So when I became a star in Tamil and had this crazy girl following, I was the first one to announce that I was married even though I was advised against it. I would open all my girl fan mail along with Sarita. I would insist on taking her for any exotic outdoor shoots not because I wanted her to know that I am loyal, but I didn’t want to test myself.”He further explained how this approach became a natural part of his life: “Over a period of time, it became a habit and it worked for me. And I think she too likes the fact that I am sorted, that I don’t mince my words and that she does not have to guess what I am trying to imply with what I say or do.”A Marriage That Stands the Test of TimeR Madhavan married Sarita on June 6, 1999, and the couple share a son, Vedaant Madhavan. Over the years, they have continued to be seen as one of the most enduring and grounded couples in the entertainment industry, setting an example of trust, respect, and companionship.[With TOI inputs]