Dhanush has come a long way since his debut as a teenage lover boy in Thulluvadho Ilamai back in 2002. Amidst a spate of mass entertainers, Dhanush also got his fair share of performance-oriented roles, be it playing an obsessive lover in Kaadhal Kondein, a dreaded gangster in Pudhupettai or just a guy looking for his stolen bike in Polladhavan. He landed on the national map with the viral hit Why This Kolaveri Di, which he sang for the Tamil film 3.
3 also marked his wife Aishwaryaa R Dhanush’s foray into direction. Dhanush proved his merit as an actor in the 2011 release Aadukalam, which got him a National Award. He dabbled in Bollywood in between, appearing in Anand L Rai’s Raanjhana in 2013 and R Balki’s Shamitabh early this year. Dhanush continues his dream run at the box office with his recent successes Anegan and Maari.
So besides being a star actor, the guy is also a singer, lyrics-writer, father to sons Yathra and Linga and a producer, who recently picked up the National Award for Best Children’s Film for Kaaka Muttai! Dhanush has proved that there’s lot more to him than just being Tamil superstar Rajinikanth’s son-in-law.
As the actor turns 32 on July 28, who better than his wife and filmmaker Aishwaryaa Dhanush to tell us what makes Dhanush such a rockstar.
Passion For His Craft
I am quite proud of what he’s achieved in his career. He’s a very self-made person, very passionate about what he does. That’s why he’s where he is today. He loves his job. He often says he knows nothing other than films.
– Aishwaryaa Dhanush
Full Marks For Punctuality
He’s very, very punctual. Whether it’s for a dinner, or for shooting, he is always on time.
– Aishwaryaa Dhanush
No Language Barriers
He does not factor the language while deciding on a film. He commits himself to learning new stuff.
– Aishwaryaa Dhanush
Viability As a Hero
He concentrates a lot on the script. He knows what he’s doing. His biggest USP is that he knows his strengths and weaknesses well. He knows what he’s good at and what will work for him.
– Aishwaryaa Dhanush
Keeps It Simple
I was in jitters while directing him for 3. It was my first film and he was already a star. He was very reassuring and it was a great learning curve for me. I’ve not seen him do anything differently then and now. He just puts in the same amount of dedication into his work.
– Aishwaryaa Dhanush
A Doting Dad
With him, it’s more of quality time than quantity time - given the timings of his kind of work. He likes to spend a lot of time with the kids when he’s home. He’s a really great dad.
– Aishwaryaa Dhanush
And it’s not just Dhanush’s wife Aishwaryaa. Anyone who’s worked with the actor swears by his sincerity and commitment.
His boy-next-door looks appeals to everyone. Save one or two, his recent choice of scripts has worked well for him. In the last two years, he’s arrived as an actor and is one of the most popular actors with a strong brand value down South. If his films are marketed within a reasonable budget and he doesn’t raise his salary too much, he will do extremely well.
– Sreedhar Pillai, South films trade analyst
Well, no wonder then that this talented actor has his hands full. Dhanush is shooting for the sequel to Velai Illa Pattadhari and also an untitled project with director Prabhu Solomon. The actor will also be seen in Vada Chennai directed by Vetrimaran, besides teaming up once again with director Anand L Rai for his next project post Tanu Weds Manu Returns.
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