Director K. Balachander introduced her in a supporting role in his superhit Telugu film ‘Marocharithra’ (1979). She repeated her role in the Hindi remake ‘Ek Duje Ke Liye’ (1981), which became the top grossing hit of 1981. In both films, she showed remarkable sensitivity as a lonely wealthy woman who falls in love with Kamal Haasan. She earned a Filmfare nomination as Best Supporting Actress. Director K. Balachander was impressed with her performance in both films to introduce her to the Tamil film industry in the film ‘Thillu Mullu’ (1981) with Rajinikanth. By the end of the decade, she was starring opposite superstar Amitabh Bachchan in the Hindi film ‘Agneepath’ (1990). She was once a Miss India participant.

She acted in number of Kannada movies which are big success. She acted with many popular Kannada heroes like Dr. Raj Kumar, Vishnu Vardhan, Anant Nag, Ambareesh and others.

Madhavi later acted alongside Kamal Haasan in ‘Raja Paarvai’, ‘Tik Tik Tik’, ‘Kaakki Chattai’, ‘Mangamma Sabadham’ in which she appears in swimsuit in all the films. Other films with Rajinikanth included ‘Garjanai’, ‘Thambikku endha ooru’, ‘Viduthalai’, ‘un kannil neer vazhindhaal’. Her 2 piece shows in ‘Tik Tik Tik’ and ‘Viduthalai’ is still a challange to our new glamour actress. Her slimmed body, marvellous thighs and attractive big eyes are still disturbing the young guys. Being talented, she showed her ability in movies like ‘Needhi dhevan Mayakkam’ and ‘Nirabaraadhi’. She acted with Telugu super stars like Chiranjeevi, Krishnam Raju, etc…Her Telugu movie ‘Mathrudevobhava’ many awards.