Archive · 11 Sep 2026
R Madhavan Recalls Living With Canadian Cattle-Slaughtering Families
Before becoming an actor, R Madhavan went to Canada as an exchange student.
He travelled through a Rotary program.
He stayed in Stettler, Alberta.
He described the area as cowboy country.
The families he lived with slaughtered cows for work.
Madhavan said he was a committed vegetarian.
Because of his beliefs, he felt their work was wrong for him.
He remembered the experience as an important part of growing up.
He later became known for working in Tamil and Hindi films.
R Madhavan travelled to Canada as a Rotary exchange student before entering films.
He stayed in Stettler, Alberta, which he described as “cowboy country” and the “wild, wild west.”
Madhavan said he lived with families who slaughtered cows for a living.
He recalled finding the experience difficult because he is a committed vegetarian.
Madhavan shared the account in a 2023 conversation published by the Indian School of Business.
- Who
- R Madhavan, during his time as a Rotary exchange student.
- What
- He recalled living with families in Canada who slaughtered cows for a living.
- When
- Before he entered films; he discussed the experience in a conversation shared in 2023.
- Where
- Stettler, Alberta, Canada.
- Why
- He was participating in a Rotary exchange-student program and said the experience challenged his vegetarian beliefs.
- Person
- R Madhavan
- Program
- Rotary exchange-student program
- Location
- Stettler, Alberta, Canada
- Setting
- Madhavan described Stettler as “cowboy country” and the “wild, wild west.”
- Dietary belief
- Madhavan said he is a hardcore vegetarian.
- Conversation
- The account appeared in a 2023 conversation shared on the Indian School of Business YouTube channel.
- Film career
- Madhavan has worked across Tamil and Hindi cinema.