Dhanush

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Dhanush, born Venkatesh Prabhu Kasthuri Raja on July 28, 1983, in Madras (Chennai), is an Indian actor, filmmaker, lyricist and playback singer who mainly works in Tamil cinema, with some Hindi and Telugu projects. Over his career he has acted in about 50 films and is one of the highest-paid stars in Tamil cinema. He has won four National Film Awards—two as an actor and two as a producer—along with many Filmfare Awards South and SIIMA honors. He has repeatedly appeared on the Forbes India Celebrity 100 list.

Dhanush’s film journey began with his father Kasthuri Raja’s Thulluvadho Ilamai (2002). He gained fame with Kaadhal Kondein (2003) and Thiruda Thirudi (2003). Aadukalam (2010) earned him the National Film Award for Best Actor and a Filmfare Award for Best Actor—Tamil. Other notable Tamil hits include Polladhavan (2007), Yaaradi Nee Mohini (2008), Velaiilla Pattadhari (2014), Anegan (2015), Maari (2015), Kodi (2016), Vada Chennai (2018), Asuran (2019) and Thiruchitrambalam (2022). His 2024 film Raayan became his highest-grossing release. He also made a mark in Hindi cinema with Raanjhanaa (2013).

Dhanush is also known for his music and singing. The song “Why This Kolaveri Di” from the film 3 (2012) went viral, becoming the first Indian video to reach 100 million YouTube views. He has sung many songs and is often credited as “Poet-u Dhanush.” He and his wife, Aishwarya Rajinikanth, founded Wunderbar Films in 2010, producing several projects and launching his directorial debut with Pa. Paandi (2017). The track “Rowdy Baby” from Maari 2 is among the most-viewed Indian songs.

Internationally, his first film was The Extraordinary Journey of the Fakir (2019). He acted in Atrangi Re (2021) and appeared in The Gray Man (Netflix) in 2022. He is set to appear in Kalam: The Missile Man of India, a biopic about APJ Abdul Kalam, announced at Cannes in 2025.

Personal life: He married actress Aishwarya Rajinikanth, Rajinikanth’s daughter, in 2004 and they have two sons, Yatra (born 2006) and Linga (born 2010). The couple separated in 2022 and officially divorced in 2024. Dhanush is a devout Shaivite, a vegetarian, and has said he would have become a chef if not an actor. He is also known for his work as a lyricist and his contributions to cinema beyond acting.