Michael Madsen, the celebrated Hollywood actor known for his collaborations with Quentin Tarantino in films like Reservoir Dogs and Kill Bill, made his debut in Indian cinema with the 2020 thriller Nishabdham. This bilingual film, also released as Silence in Tamil, Malayalam and Hindi, features a stellar cast including Anushka Shetty and R. Madhavan.

Directed by Hemant Madhukar, Nishabdham is a thriller that revolves around Sakshi (Anushka Shetty), a speech and hearing-impaired artist who becomes entangled in a criminal investigation. The story unfolds when Sakshi witnesses a tragic incident at a villa known for being haunted. R. Madhavan plays Anthony, a celebrity musician who is also drawn into the mystery. Michael Madsen plays Richard Dawkins, an American police officer who is assigned to investigate the case.

The film was shot extensively in the United States, specifically in Seattle and other locations, which lends a unique visual appeal to the narrative. Nishabdham was initially intended for a theatrical release in January 2020, but was postponed to April 2, and ultimately premiered on Amazon Prime Video due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Madsen's role in Nishabdham marked a significant milestone in his career, as it was his first foray into Indian cinema. According to reports, the filmmakers invested a substantial amount to bring the Kill Bill actor on board. Madsen expressed enthusiasm about the project, which was shot simultaneously in Telugu, Tamil, and English. In the film, Madsen is seen as a police officer named Richard Dawkins, who is assigned to investigate the case.

In a conversation with director Hemant Madhukar, Madsen mentioned that he doesn't like to portray any character as a "villain". He added that he decided to say yes to Nishabdham as he thought of his character as someone "who has a bit of a hero in him even though he is a bad guy". Madsen also expressed his curiosity about working in Indian cinema and with Indian actors. He admitted that he initially thought the film would involve dancing and was relieved to find that it was a serious story.

Anushka Shetty described her character, Sakshi, as one that pushed her out of her comfort zone. Madhavan shared that he enjoys being a part of thrillers, calling Nishabdham one of the most intriguing movies he has been associated with.

News of Michael Madsen's passing on July 3, 2025, at the age of 67, has been met with widespread grief. According to reports, the actor was found unresponsive at his home in Malibu, California, and was pronounced dead. His manager stated that the cause of death was cardiac arrest. The makers of Nishabdham have expressed their condolences, acknowledging it was an honor to work with him.

Madsen's career spanned over three decades, with roles in over 300 films and television series. He was known for his collaborations with Quentin Tarantino, as well as his roles in films such as Thelma & Louise, Donnie Brasco, and Sin City.

Nishabdham, though not critically acclaimed, remains a notable entry in Michael Madsen's filmography, representing his venture into a different cinematic landscape.