Actor R. Madhavan has joined the debate on historical representation in school curricula, specifically addressing the NCERT's decision to remove sections on the Mughals and the Delhi Sultanate from Class 7 textbooks. In an interview with News18, Madhavan questioned why important subjects like Jainism, Hinduism, and Buddhism were inadequately covered in earlier curriculums.

Madhavan highlighted the imbalance in historical representation, pointing out that when he studied history, there were eight chapters on the Mughals, but only one on the southern kingdoms like the Cholas, Pandyas, Pallavas, and Cheras, despite their 2,400-year-old legacy. He stressed that the Chola Empire was a pioneer of sea travel and naval power, influencing regions as far as Rome. He also expressed concern that India’s ancient cultural and scientific knowledge is often overlooked or ridiculed in favor of other narratives.

Regarding the recent NCERT changes, the organization has removed all references to the Mughals and Delhi Sultanate, adding content on dynasties that reflect 'Indian ethos' and focusing on India’s traditions and philosophies in line with the National Education Policy 2020.

Madhavan’s latest film, Kesari Chapter 2: The Untold Story of Jallianwala Bagh, is a historical courtroom drama that follows Advocate C. Sankaran Nair's challenge against the British Empire regarding the 1919 Jallianwala Bagh massacre.