| Bio/Wiki | |
|---|---|
| Birth name | R K Vengadesha Prabu [1]Deccan Herald |
| Real name | Venkatesh Prabhu Kasthuri Raja [2]Wikipedia |
| Other name | Dhanush K Raja [3]Instagram |
| Profession(s) | Actor, Producer, Director, Writer, Lyricist, Screenwriter, and Playback Singer |
| Physical Stats & More | |
| Height (approx.) | in centimeters– 175 cm in meters– 1.75 m in feet & inches– 5’ 9” |
| Weight (approx.) | in kilograms– 70 kg in pounds– 154 lbs |
| Body Measurements (approx.) | – Chest: 38 inches – Waist: 30 inches – Biceps: 11 inches |
| Eye Colour | Black |
| Hair Colour | Black |
| Career | |
| Debut | Film (Tamil; As an actor): Thulluvadho Ilamai (2002) as Mahesh Film (Hindi; As an actor): Raanjhanaa (2013) as Kundan Shankarin Film (English; As an actor): The Extraordinary Journey of the Fakir (2015) as Lavash Patel Film (Tamil; As a producer): 3 (2012) Film (Tamil; As a lyricist): Kadhal En Kadhal from ‘Mayakkam Enna’ (2011) |
| Awards, Honours, Achievements | National Film Awards 2010: Best Actor for Aadukalam 2014: Best Children’s Film (co-producer) for Kaaka Muttai 2015: Best Feature Film in Tamil (co-producer) for Visaranai 2019: Best Actor for Asuran Filmfare Awards (Bollywood)2013: Best Debutant Actor for RaanjhanaaFilmfare Awards South 2011: Best Actor for Aadukalam 2012: Best Male Playback Singer for Why This Kolaveri Di from the film 3 2012: Best Actor for 3 2013: Critics Best Actor award for Maryan 2014: Best Actor for Velaiyilla Pattathari 2015: Best Film for Kaaka Muttai (co-producer) 2018: Best Actor for Vada ChennaiVijay Awards 2008: Best Entertainer of the Year for Yaaradi Nee Mohini 2011: Best Crew (actor) for Aadukalam 2012: Best Lyricist for “Po Nee Po” from 3 2013: Best Crew (producer) for Ethir Neechal 2014: Best Actor for Velaiyilla Pattathari South Indian International Movie Awards (SIIMA) IIFA Utsavam Edison Awards (India) Note: He has many more accolades to his name. |
| Personal Life | |
| Date of Birth | 28 July 1982 (Wednesday) |
| Age (as of 2021) | 39 Years |
| Birthplace | Government Children’s Hospital in Egmore, Chennai, Tamil Nadu [4]The Hindu |
| Zodiac sign | Leo |
| Signature/Autograph | |
| Nationality | Indian |
| Hometown | Chennai, Tamil Nadu |
| School | Thai Sathya Matriculation High School, Chennai |
| College/University | Madurai Kamaraj University |
| Educational Qualification | Bachelor of Computer Application (distance education) [5]S & S Family First |
| Religion | Hinduism [6]India Today |
| Caste | Naicker (Backward class community) [7]India Today |
| Food Habit | Vegetarian [8]The Times of India |
| Controversies | • There were reports that Shruti Haasan and Dhanush got carried away while shooting for a romantic scene on the sets of ‘3’ movie in 2011, which later turned out to be an affair. However, Dhanush’s wife slammed such rumours. [9]Odisha TV
• In November 2016, Kathiresan and Meenaal, an old couple from Thiruppuvanam, Tamil Nadu, claimed that they were the real parents of Dhanush. They said that Dhanush’s original name was ‘Kalaiyarasan,’ and he left the house in 2002 after his poor scores in exam results, after which he came to Chennai to become an actor and never visited them again. Not only this, they filed a complaint in the local police station and the Chief Minister’s special cell, and appealed the authorities to help them “in getting their son back” and asked for a monthly maintenance of ₹65000/month from Dhanush. Later, it was found that there was no truth to the couple’s claim. [10]The News Minute [11]Deccan Herald • In 2017, Dhanush was accused of sexual assaults by the South Indian singer RJ Suchitra in one of her tweets. Later, her husband said that she was in depression, and her Twitter account was hacked. [12]The Indian Express |
| Relationships & More | |
| Marital Status | Separated |
| Affairs/Girlfriends | • Aishwarya R. Dhanush • Shruti Haasan (Actor; rumoured in 2011) [13]Odisha TV • Trisha Krishnan (Actor; rumoured) [14]Odisha TV |
| Marriage Date | 8 November 2004 |
| Marriage Place | Raghavendra Kalyana Mandapam, Chennai |
| Family | |
| Wife/Spouse | Aishwarya R. Dhanush (Director and Classical Dancer) (m. 2004; div. 2022)Note: On 17 January 2022, the couple ended their 18-year-long marriage. [15]The Times of India |
| Children | Son(s)– Yatra (born; 2006) and Linga (born; 2010) |
| Parents | Father– Kasthuri Raja (Filmmaker) Mother– Vijaylakshmi |
| Siblings | Brother– Selvaraghavan (Elder, Director) Sisters– K. Vimala Geetha, Karthika Devi (Doctor) |
| Other Relative | Father-in-law- Rajinikanth (Actor) |
| Favourites | |
| Food | Idiyappam, Kadala Curry |
| Actor(s) | Mohanlal, Amitabh Bachchan, Al Pacino, Tom Hanks |
| Actress(es) | Simran, Kajol, Kareena Kapoor, Monica Bellucci |
| Film(s) | Netri Kann (1981), Baashha (1995), Pudhupettai (2006), and Drushyam (2014) |
| Musician | Ilaiyaraaja |
| Song | “Thendral Vanthu Theendum Pothu” from the film ‘Avatharam’ (2014) |
| Book | Love Story by Erich Segal |
| Colour | Black |
| Sport(s) | Tennis, Snooker, Football |
| Football Club | FC Barcelona |
| Style Quotient | |
| Car Collection | • Audi A8 • Bentley Continental Flying Spur • Rolls Royce Ghost Series 2 • Jaguar XE [16]Patrika |
| Money Factor | |
| Net Worth | Rs. 31.75 crore (as of 2019) [17]Forbes India |
Some Lesser Known Facts About Dhanush
- Is Dhanush a smoker? No, he does not smoke. [18] SS Family First.
- Is Dhanush a drinker of alcohol? No, he does not drink alcohol. [19] SS Family First.
- Dhanush, an Indian artist, excels in various roles including actor, producer, director, writer, lyricist, screenwriter, and playback singer.
- He came into existence within a Hindu family of middle-class background.
- During the interview, he revealed that during his childhood, he had a deep desire to own a red remote-controlled toy car, much like the one his friend possessed. Additionally, he expressed
I desired it with such intensity that I would approach my neighbor, hoping he would reluctantly give it to me. Meanwhile, my brother would take an old thread spool and attempt to transform it into a car-like shape. The memories of those longing-filled days for that red car are forever etched in my mind.
- During his time in school, he had aspirations of becoming either a chef or a marine engineer.
- He did not pass his final exams in 12th grade, but later on, he successfully obtained his degree through distance learning. [21] SS Family First
- During the interview, he disclosed that he was raised in a disadvantaged household. He mentioned,
During my father’s early years, he endured long hours of work in a mill and took on various odd jobs to make ends meet. Our living conditions were modest, confined to a small room, and we could only afford one meal per day. To save money, my father would walk a daily distance of 11km, foregoing the rupee bus fare, so that we could attend school. I witnessed firsthand the harsh realities of poverty until I reached the age of four or five. Despite these circumstances, my father possessed a natural talent for writing from a young age. Even while toiling away in the mill, he would dedicate his time to crafting stories and scripts, which he would then sell to individuals for around Rs 50. These buyers would subsequently pass off his work as their own and sell it to directors and producers. Through one such connection, he managed to secure an opportunity in the Tamil film industry as an assistant director when he was likely in his late 30s. For 15 years, he diligently worked towards his goal before finally stepping into the director’s chair and making his debut.
Dhanush further added,
Certainly! Absolutely! At the tender age of 16, I resorted to tears, tantrums, and even fasting in a futile attempt to overcome my challenges. However, looking back today, I am grateful that none of those tactics worked. It dawned on me that there was nothing else I could do to change my circumstances. The unfortunate truth is that I suffer from severe stage fright, causing me to stumble and lose my words during performances. Even the simple act of writing a check induces anxiety within me. Being in the presence of others also triggers my nerves. Yet strangely enough, I have found solace and ease when facing the camera. It took numerous films for me to realize this unexpected comfort.”
- Their first encounter was at the screening of the Tamil film ‘Kadhal Kondaen’ (2003), where he met Aishwarya for the very first time. Subsequently, they began dating and eventually tied the knot through a traditional wedding ceremony. However, according to alternative sources, their parents, who happened to be friends, took the initiative to arrange the marriage between their children. [22]Bollywood Shaadis [23]Pinkvilla
- During an interview, he revealed that his English-speaking skills were lacking when he embarked on his acting career. He expressed that,
In 2005, my English skills were quite poor. To address this issue, I decided to develop a routine of reading English books. Initially, it would take me over six months to complete a book as I would often doze off before finishing a single chapter.
- In 2002, he made his acting debut in the film ‘Thulluvadho Ilamai’, which was directed by his father.
- His brother, Selvaraghavan, directed the Tamil film ‘Kadhal Kondein’ in 2003, in which he acted.
- His films in 2004 were unsuccessful at the box office, with movies like ‘Pudhukottaiyilirundhu Saravanan,’ ‘Sullan,’ and ‘Dreams’ being considered flops.
- Afterwards, his acting career received a boost when his movies ‘Devathaiyai Kanden’ (2005), ‘Adhu Oru Kana Kaalam’ (2005), ‘Yaaradi Nee Mohini’ (2008), and ‘Padikkadavan’ (2009) achieved success.
- In the Tamil film ‘Aadukalam’ (2011), he portrayed the character of a rooster fight jockey and earned his inaugural National Award.
- In 2012, a song titled “Why This Kolaveri Di” was released by him on YouTube, gaining worldwide viral popularity. Subsequently, the song was included in the Tamil film ‘3’ featuring Dhanush and Shruti Haasan.
- On 20 May 2010, Dhanush and his wife established a film production company called ‘Wunderbar Films’. Their debut production was the Tamil film ‘3’, which was released in 2012. Since then, they have produced several other films including ‘Ethir Neechal’ (2013), ‘Kaaki Sattai’ (2015), ‘Maari’ (2015), ‘Kaala’ (2018), and ‘Maari 2’ (2018).
- He is a well-known singer who has contributed his vocals to several songs including “Un mele” from the movie ‘Aayirathil Oruvan’ (2010), “Danga maari” from ‘Anegan’ (2015), “Maalai Varum Vannilla” from ‘Nenjam Marappathillai’ (2016), “Polladha Bhoomi” from ‘Asuran’ (2019), and “Kaathodu Kaathanen” from ‘Jail’ (2020).
- In addition to being a lyricist, he has also written the lyrics for several songs such as “Why This Kolaveri Di” from the film ‘3’ (2012), “Po Indru Neeyaga” from ‘Velaiilla Pattadhari’ (2014), “Venpanimalare” from ‘Pa Paandi’ (2017), and “Ilamai Thirumbuthe” from ‘Petta’ (2019).
- In 2013, he made a remarkable entrance into Bollywood with the film ‘Raanjhanaa’. Continuing his journey, he shared the screen with the iconic Indian actor Amitabh Bachchan in the Hindi film ‘Shamitabh’ released in 2015.
- He wrapped up shooting for the Tamil film ‘Jagame Thandhiram’ and the Hindi film ‘Atrangi Re’ in 2021. During the same year, he was also actively involved in filming for the English movie ‘The Gray Man.’
- He passionately worships Lord Shiva and has given his sons the names Yatra (meaning Pilgrimage) and Linga (referring to Shiva Lingam).
- In 2011, the American animal rights organization ‘PETA’ bestowed upon Dhanush the title of ‘India’s ‘Hottest Vegetarian Celebrity.’ However, Dhanush found it to be offensive and considered it as an insult. [24] The Hindustan Times reported this.
- In 2012, he lent his support to the international non-governmental organization WWF by actively participating in their initiative called ‘Earth Hour’.
- Dhanush’s presence has graced the cover pages of numerous prestigious magazines, including Filmfare.
- For six consecutive years, he has been featured in the Forbes India Celebrity 100 list, owing to his annual earnings. [25]
- Dhanush has appeared in multiple television advertisements, including 7UP, Tata Nano, and Center Fresh.
- Dhanush celebrated his birthday by paying a visit to Kotiswari, a 12-year-old fan who was in the final stage of blood cancer. The actor marked his special day by spending time with this dedicated fan.
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