Meet Dhanush: The Actor Who Dreamed of Being a Chef, Became a Global Icon, and Won 4 National Awards

Published On: November 28, 2024 6:37 am

In addition to showcasing his acting prowess in Tamil film, the actor rose to fame in Hindi cinema under the direction of Aanand L. Rai.

The individual we are discussing today is not just an actor but also a playback vocalist, songwriter, and filmmaker who has contributed to Telugu, Hindi, and English films. He has been recognized with four National Film Awards (two as an actor and two as a producer) and has appeared in more than fifty films. Additionally, he has been on Forbes India’s Celebrity 100 list six times.

The actor was born in 1983 and comes from an industry family. At first, he wanted to become a chef and study hotel management. But he felt forced to pursue acting by his older brother, a film director as well.

Under the leadership of Aanand L. Rai, the actor not only demonstrated his acting abilities in Tamil films but also became well-known in Hindi cinema.

In addition, the actor starred in another outstanding Tamil pop culture film, Polladhavan, which was adapted from the 1948 Italian neorealist film Bicycle Thieves and starred Vetrimaaran. He played a number of parts over his career, which included hits and failures. He later worked with the same director again and gave a memorable performance in the film Aadukalam that people would remember for years.

The actor was well-known in the South, but his singing video for the song “Why This Kolaveri Di” from the film 3 instantly made him a worldwide hit.

By now, it should be obvious to you that we are discussing Dhanush. In addition to showcasing his acting prowess in Tamil film, the actor rose to fame in Hindi cinema with Aanand L. Rai’s Raanjhanaa.

The film, which also stars Sonam Kapoor, continues to be a favorite among viewers. Dhanush also starred with Sara Ali Khan in the Hindi film Atrangi Re.

In addition to his numerous hits in Indian cinema, Dhanush also dabbled in foreign productions with films like The Gray Man and The Extraordinary Journey of the Fakir.

The personal life of Dhanush

On November 18, 2004, at the age of 21, Dhanush married filmmaker Aishwarya Rajinikanth, the older daughter of superstar Rajinikanth. Despite working together on a number of projects and being married for almost 20 years, their adventure together ended in 2022 when they separated.

The pair was formally divorced by November 2024. Yatra and Linga, the ex-couple’s two kids, were born in 2006 and 2010, respectively. Dhanush is well-known for his intense spirituality and is a devoted devotee of Lord Shiva, which is why his children have Shaivite names. In addition, he practices vegetarianism.