Dhanush, born as Venkatesh Prabhu Kasthuri Raja12, is a renowned Indian film actor who has made significant contributions to Bollywood and Tamil cinema. The Bollywood actor his journey from a debutant to one of the highest-paid actors in Indian cinema is a testament to his talent, hard work, and relentless pursuit of excellence.
Early Life and Upbringing
Born on July 28, 1983, in Madras, Tamil Nadu, Dhanush was introduced to the world of cinema at a young age, being the son of film director and producer Kasthuri Raja. Despite his early exposure to the film industry, Dhanush initially aspired to become a chef and wished to attend a school of hotel management. However, his brother, director Selvaraghavan, encouraged him to pursue acting.
Personal Life – Age, Zodiac Sign
| Personal Details | Information |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Venkatesh Prabhu Kasthuri Raja |
| Nickname | Dhanush |
| Alternative Names(s) (also known as) | Dhanush K Raja |
| Date of Birth | 28 July 1983 |
| Age (as of 2023) | 40 years |
| Religion | Hinduism |
| Zodiac Sign | Leo |
| Nationality | Indian |
| Birthplace | Government Children’s Hospital in Egmore, Chennai, Tamil Nadu |
| Hometown | Chennai, Tamil Nadu |
| Current Address | N/A |
| Education Qualification | Bachelor of Computer Application (distance education) |
| Hobbies and Interests | Reading, writing, playing chess, listening to music |
| Languages Known | Tamil, Hindi, English |
| Social Media Profiles link (Facebook, Instagram, Twitter) | Facebook, Instagram, Twitter |
| Wikipedia Profile link | Dhanush – Wikipedia |
| IMDb Profile link | Dhanush – IMDb |
| Website link | N/A |
Physical Appearance – Height, Weight, Body Measurements
| Physical Stats | Information |
|---|---|
| Body Type | Slim |
| Body Measurements (Chest – Waist – Hips) | 38 – 30 – 11 inches |
| Height in feet, inches, cm | 5’ 9”, 175 cm |
| Weight in kg, lbs | 70 kg, 154 lbs |
| Chest | 38 inches |
| Waist | 30 inches |
| Biceps | 11 inches |
| Eye Colour | Black |
| Hair Colour | Black |
| Hairstyle | Short and curly |
| Distinctive Features | Sharp features, thin mustache, pierced ears |
| Tattoos | N/A |
Family and Relationships – Girlfriend/Wife, Affairs
Dhanush was married to Aishwarya Rajinikanth, and they have two children together. However, the couple separated in 2022. Dhanush’s personal life, like his professional journey, has been under the public eye, contributing to his profile as a public figure.
| Relationships Details | Information |
|---|---|
| Marital Status | Separated |
| Spouse – Wife | Aishwarya Rajinikanth (ex) |
| Father | Kasthuri Raja (film director and producer) |
| Mother | Vijayalakshmi |
| Children | Yatra (son), Linga (son) |
| Siblings | Selvaraghavan (brother), Vimala Geetha (sister), Karthika Devi (sister) |
| Affairs – Girlfriend(s) | Shruti Haasan (rumored) |
| Significant Relationships | Rajinikanth (father-in-law), Soundarya Rajinikanth (sister-in-law) |
Rise to Stardom
Dhanush’s acting career began with the 2002 coming-of-age film “Thulluvadho Ilamai”, directed by his father, Kasthuri Raja. His breakthrough came with the critically acclaimed films “Polladhavan” (2007) and “Yaaradi Nee Mohini” (2008).
His portrayal of a rooster fight jockey in “Aadukalam” (2010) won him the National Film Award for Best Actor and the Filmfare Award for Best Actor – Tamil.
Dhanush – Debut Film – Thulluvadho Ilamai (2002)
Dhanush – Successful Film – Maari (2018)
Career, Awards, and Achievements
Over his career, Dhanush has starred in over 46 films. His accolades include four National Film Awards (two as an actor and two as producer), fourteen SIIMA Awards, seven Filmfare Awards South, and a Filmfare Award.
His song “Why This Kolaveri Di” from the film “3” (2012) became the first Indian music video to cross 100 million views on YouTube.
| Career Details | Information |
|---|---|
| Profession(s) | Actor, producer, director, writer, lyricist, screenwriter, and playback singer |
| Debut Film | Thulluvadho Ilamai (2002) as Mahesh |
| Notable Roles | Aadukalam, Raanjhanaa, Asuran, Vada Chennai, Velaiilla Pattadhari |
| Recent Films – New Movies | Thiruchitrambalam, Vaathi, Jagame Thanthiram, Karnan, Atrangi Re |
| Upcoming Films | Naane Varuven, D43, D44, The Gray Man |
| Popular Television Series | N/A |
| Awards and Achievements | Four National Film Awards, one Filmfare Award, seven Filmfare Awards South, fourteen SIIMA Awards, among others |
| Endorsements/Brand Collaborations | Center Fresh, Parachute, Pothys, Malabar Gold, Lux, Tata Sky, etc. |
| Philanthropy/Charity Work | Donated ₹1.5 crore to the Chief Minister’s Public Relief Fund for the 2015 South Indian floods, donated ₹15 lakh to FEFSI workers during the COVID-19 pandemic, supported various social causes such as education, health, and environment |
| Professional Associations | Wunderbar Films (co-founder and co-owner), Y Not Studios (co-owner), Sony Music India (collaborator) |
| Training and Education | Learned acting from Kishore Namit Kapoor Acting Institute in Mumbai |
| Production Company | Wunderbar Films |
| Box Office Success – Hit Movies | Aadukalam, Raanjhanaa, Velaiilla Pattadhari, Maari, Asuran, Thiruchitrambalam, Vaathi |
| Critical Acclaim Movies | Aadukalam, Raanjhanaa, Maryan, Vada Chennai, Asuran |
Assets and Finances – Net Worth
| Financial Profile | Information |
|---|---|
| Net Worth in Rs. and Dollars | ₹150 crore, $20 million |
| Per Movie Charges in Rs. and Dollars | ₹10-15 crore, $1.3-2 million |
| Per Endorsement Charges in Rs. and Dollars | ₹2-3 crore, $0.26-0.4 million |
| Sponsorship Deals | Center Fresh, Parachute, Pothys, Malabar Gold, Lux, Tata Sky, etc. |
| Business Ventures | Wunderbar Films, Y Not Studios, Sony Music India |
| Investments | N/A |
| Real Estate Holdings | A luxurious bungalow in Chennai, a farmhouse in Madurai |
| Luxury Items/Properties Owned | A Rolls Royce Ghost, a Bentley Continental Flying Spur, a Jaguar XE, a Harley Davidson bike, etc. |
| Cars Collection | A Rolls Royce Ghost, a Bentley Continental Flying Spur, a Jaguar XE, a Harley Davidson bike, etc. |
Favorite Things, Likes and Dislikes
| Favorite Things | Information |
|---|---|
| Favorite Actor | Rajinikanth, Amitabh Bachchan, Tom Hanks, Al Pacino |
| Favorite Actress | Simran, Kajol, Kareena Kapoor, Monica Bellucci |
| Favorite Film | Netrikan, Baasha, Pudhupettai, Drishyam, The Godfather |
| Favorite Music Bands | Ilaiyaraaja, A. R. Rahman, Yuvan Shankar Raja, Anirudh Ravichander |
| Favorite Sport | Chess, snooker, tennis |
| Favorite Books | Love Story by Erich Segal, The Godfather by Mario Puzo |
| Favorite Color | Black |
| Favorite Food | Idli, dosa, biryani, chicken curry |
| Things s/he like | Reading, writing, playing chess, listening to music |
| Things s/he dislike | Smoking, drinking, gossiping, negativity |
Top 5 Best Films – Dhanush
| Film Name | Year of Release | Character Played |
|---|---|---|
| Aadukalam | 2010 | Karuppu |
| Asuran | 2019 | Sivasami |
| Raanjhanaa | 2013 | Kundan Shankar |
| Vada Chennai | 2018 | Anbu |
| Karnan | 2021 | Karnan |
Controversies – Dhanush
- Suchi Leaks: Singer Suchitra Karthik accused Dhanush and composer Anirudh of sexual harassment.
- Alleged Affair with Shruti Hassan during the shoot of “3”.
- Accused of being the reason behind actress Amala Paul’s divorce.
- Legal battle with an elderly couple in Tamil Nadu who claimed to be his real parents.
- Accused of supporting PETA during Jallikattu Protest.
Interesting Facts – Dhanush
- Dhanush made his acting debut at the age of 16.
- He is a huge fan of FC Barcelona.
- His song “Rowdy Baby” is the only South Indian video song to receive 1 billion views on YouTube.
- He has his own production company, Wunderbar Films.
- Dhanush wrote the lyrics of “Kolaveri Di” in just six minutes.
- He is a pure vegetarian.
- Dhanush cannot speak good Hindi.
- He got married when he was 21 years old.
- Dhanush failed in his class 12th examinations.
Dhanush’s journey in the Indian film industry is a testament to his talent and versatility. His contributions to Bollywood and Tamil cinema have left an indelible mark, making him a cherished icon in the world of Indian cinema.
