Dhanush facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Dhanush
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Dhanush at an event for Asuran in 2020
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| Born |
Venkatesh Prabhu Kasthuri Raja
28 July 1983 |
| Occupation |
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| Years active | 2002–present |
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Works
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Filmography |
| Spouse(s) | |
| Children | 2 |
| Family | Kasthuri Raja family |
| Awards | Full list |
Venkatesh Prabhu Kasthuri Raja (born July 28, 1983), known as Dhanush, is a famous Indian actor, filmmaker, and singer. He mainly works in Tamil cinema. He has starred in over 50 films.
Dhanush has won many important awards. These include four National Film Awards and eight Filmfare Awards South. He is one of the highest-paid actors in Indian cinema. Forbes India has listed him among the top 100 celebrities many times.
His first film was Thulluvadho Ilamai in 2002. His father, Kasthuri Raja, directed it. Dhanush became very successful with films like Polladhavan (2007) and Yaaradi Nee Mohini (2008). These films were praised by critics and did well at the box office. He won the National Film Award for Best Actor for his role in Aadukalam (2010). He played a rooster fight jockey in that film.
In 2011, Dhanush's song "Why This Kolaveri Di" became super popular. It was from the film 3. This song was the first Indian music video to get over 100 million views on YouTube. He also started acting in Hindi films with Raanjhanaa (2013). He won an award for Best Male Debut for this film.
Dhanush also produces films through his company, Wunderbar Films. He directed his first film, Pa Paandi, in 2017. His song "Rowdy Baby" from Maari 2 is one of the most-watched Indian songs ever. It was the first South Indian video song to reach 1.5 billion views on YouTube. He won his second National Film Award for Best Actor for Asuran (2019).
Contents
Early Life and Beginnings
Dhanush was born Venkatesh Prabhu Kasthuri Raja on July 28, 1983. His father, Kasthuri Raja, is a Tamil film director. His mother is Vijayalakshmi. He was born in Madras, Tamil Nadu.
When he was young, Dhanush wanted to be a chef. He planned to go to a hotel management school. But his brother, director Selvaraghavan, encouraged him to become an actor instead.
Acting Journey
Starting Out (2002–2010)
Venkatesh Prabhu chose the name "Dhanush" for his acting career. He was inspired by a movie called Kuruthipunal. His first film was Thulluvadho Ilamai in 2002. It was directed by his father and became a surprise hit.
In 2003, he starred in his brother Selvaraghavan's first film, Kaadhal Kondein. Dhanush played a young man with emotional problems. This film was a big success and a turning point for him. He then appeared in Thiruda Thirudi.
In the following years, Dhanush acted in several films. Some were not very successful, like Dreams. But he gained praise for his role in the gangster film Pudhupettai (2006). He played a young man who becomes a gangster. He also starred in the romantic film Thiruvilaiyaadal Aarambam.
In 2007, his film Parattai Engira Azhagu Sundaram did not do well. However, his next film, Polladhavan, was a big hit. It was released during the Diwali festival. His performance in Polladhavan was highly appreciated.
His next movie, Yaaradi Nee Mohini, was a remake of a Telugu film. It was also successful. He made a small appearance in his father-in-law Rajinikanth's film Kuselan. Later, he starred in Padikathavan and Uthama Puthiran.
Big Success (2011–2014)
In 2011, Dhanush's film Aadukalam was released. He had worked on it for three years. He played a local cockfighter. This film received great reviews and won six awards. Dhanush won the National Film Award for Best Actor for this role. He was the youngest actor to win this award. He also won his first Filmfare Award for Best Actor – Tamil.
His next films included Mappillai and Venghai. In 2012, his film 3 was directed by his wife, Aishwarya Rajinikanth. This film was a big hit, especially because of the song "Why This Kolaveri Di". This song became very popular online. It was the first Indian video to reach 100 million views on YouTube.
In 2013, Dhanush starred in Maryan. This film was praised by critics. He then made his debut in Hindi films with Raanjhanaa. He acted opposite Sonam Kapoor. The music for this film was by A. R. Rahman. The film was a success and earned over 94 crore rupees worldwide.
In 2014, Dhanush's 25th film, Velaiilla Pattadhari, was released. It was a comedy-drama and a big commercial success. It was one of the highest-grossing Tamil films that year. Dhanush won his third Filmfare Award for Best Actor – Tamil for this film.
His next Hindi film was Shamitabh (2015). It received good reviews but did not do well at the box office. His film Anegan, a psychological thriller, was a box office success.
Continued Success (2015–Present)
In 2015, Dhanush starred in the action comedy Maari. He also appeared in Thanga Magan. In 2016, he acted in Thodari and Kodi, a political thriller.
He made a special appearance in his first directed film, Power Paandi, in 2017. His film Velaiilla Pattadhari 2 was a big hit. He wrote the story and dialogues for this movie.
In 2018, his films Vadachennai and Maari 2 were released. Vadachennai was highly praised by critics and became the highest-grossing A-rated Tamil film ever. Dhanush won another Filmfare Award for Best Actor for his role in Vadachennai.
His first international film, The Extraordinary Journey of the Fakir, was released in 2019. His next film, Asuran, was a huge success. It earned over ₹100 crore. Asuran won Dhanush his second National Film Award for Best Actor.
In 2020, Dhanush starred in Pattas, playing a double role. He also joined the cast of the Netflix film The Gray Man, with actors like Chris Evans and Ryan Gosling.
In 2021, Dhanush starred in Karnan, which received great reviews. His next film was Jagame Thandhiram. He also appeared in the Hindi film Atrangi Re with Akshay Kumar and Sara Ali Khan.
In 2022, Dhanush's film Thiruchitrambalam became the highest-grossing film of his career.
Personal Life
Dhanush married Aishwarya Rajinikanth, the elder daughter of actor Rajinikanth, on November 18, 2004. They have two sons, Yatra (born in 2006) and Linga (born in 2010). The couple announced their separation in 2022 and divorced in 2024.
Dhanush is a devoted follower of the Hindu god Shiva. He has given his sons names related to Shiva. Dhanush is also a vegetarian.
Music Career
Dhanush is a talented singer and often sings for his own films. He also writes song lyrics and is sometimes called "Poet-uh Dhanush". He started as a playback singer in Pudhukottaiyilirundhu Saravanan (2004).
His song "Why This Kolaveri Di" from the film 3 became a global sensation in 2011. He wrote most of the lyrics for this song. He has also sung in Kannada and Telugu films.
Other Work
Dhanush supports many good causes. He worked with WWF India for Earth Hour in 2012. He also donated money to help people affected by floods in 2015.
Wunderbar Films
In 2010, Dhanush and his wife Aishwarya started their own film production company, Wunderbar Films. They have produced many successful movies. Dhanush has also acted in many of these films, like 3, Velaiilla Pattadhari, and Maari. As a producer, he won National Film Awards for Kaaka Muttai and Visaranai.
Dhanush made his directing debut with the film Pa Paandi (2017). He won his first Filmfare Award for Best Director – Tamil for this movie.
Filmography
Accolades
Dhanush has won many awards, including the National Film Award for Best Actor twice. He won it in 2011 for Aadukalam and in 2021 for Asuran.
Images for kids
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Dhanush at an event for Asuran in 2020
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Dhanush with Amitabh Bachchan at the BIG Star Entertainment Awards in 2012
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Dhanush with actor Vijay in 2014
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Dhanush and Sonam Kapoor at the launch of Raanjhanaa
