Dubai: Multifaceted and multilingual Indian actor R Madhavan will be seen in a different role when he joins a star-studded cast at the Omega Dubai Desert Classic's 'Celebrity Challenge Match' at the Emirates Golf Club on February 7.

An established star, Madhavan has featured in many successful and acclaimed films in Hindi, Tamil, Telugu, Malayalam and Kannada, but not many have seen him swinging a golf club.

The Challenge Match, starting at 6pm, will be the theatre of action. As an actor, writer, film producer and television host, Madhavan's career has been on the upswing and is making the best of both worlds - life and his profession. But golf remains his steady companion whenever he takes a sabbatical from films and goes on a holiday with his family.

"I love playing the game and I love its never-ending challenges. In fact, you can experience the full gamut of human emotion while playing a round. And that makes it even more interesting," said Madhavan, who has many hits, like "3 Idiots' and blockbuster Tamil film 'Minnale' under his belt.

"I am not sure how I am going to fare, but I am really excited to be part of the Challenge Match which will have some of the world's leading players in the line-up. It will be loads of fun," said the south India superstar.

Commented Mohamed Juma Buamaim, vice chairman and CEO of golf in DUBAi: "The celebrities from the world of sports and entertainment will add (more) excitement to the Challenge match.

"It will be a fun-filled affair that will also provide fans with an opportunity to see the game's biggest stars and celebrities from other fields up close and personal. The idea is to provide first-class entertainment. Cameras will be allowed and there will be no restrictions on autograph hunters," he added.

Sir Ian Botham, Waqar Younis, Frankie Dettori and famed comedian Jim Davidson are the other celebrities who will join leading professional golfers - world number three Lee Westwood, Fred Couples, Thomas Bjorn, Mark O'Meara, Miguel Angel Jimenez, Jeev Milkha Singh - in the match which will follow the foursomes format.