Dhanush
Dhanush is an Indian actor, best known for Tamil cinema. Dhanush began their career in 2013 and has been a prominent figure in the industry for over 13 years. With over 60 credits to their name and an average audience rating of 6.6, Dhanush remains one of the most prolific and celebrated talents in the industry.
- Born
- Age
- 42
Biography
Dhanush is an Indian film actor, producer, and playback singer who has worked predominantly in Tamil cinema. In 2011, he won the National Film Award for Best Actor for the movie Aadukalam and in the same year, he received international attention for his song \"Why this Kolaveri Di\", which went on to became the most viewed Indian song in YouTube.
Career Milestones
Film debut in Thulluvadho Ilamai, directed by his father Kasthuri Raja
Breakthrough role in Kaadhal Kondein, earning first Filmfare nomination for Best Actor – Tamil
Won National Film Award for Best Actor, becoming the youngest recipient at the time
View film →'Why This Kolaveri Di?' became the first Indian music video to cross 100 million YouTube views
View film →Won second National Film Award for Best Actor for powerful anti-caste drama
Iconic Roles
Aadukalam
A rooster-fight jockey navigating loyalty and rivalry in Madurai's underground cockfighting world. Dhanush's raw, visceral performance won him the National Film Award for Best Actor, his most acclaimed role.
Pudhupettai
A traumatized street boy who rises to become a ruthless gang lord. Considered a career-defining cult performance, so iconic that popular dialogues from this role inspired two sequel film titles.
Velaiyilla Pattathari
An unemployed engineering graduate fighting against nepotism and a system rigged against merit. The character's punch dialogues became mass-favorite catchphrases across Tamil Nadu.
Polladhavan
A relatable middle-class youth whose entire world unravels after his bike is stolen. The film was a major mainstream breakthrough that established Dhanush as a bankable solo hero.
Karnan
A fearless, rebellious youth from a marginalized village standing up against caste-based oppression. Dhanush's electrifying, physically committed performance is widely cited as one of his greatest career achievements.
Defining Moments
Kokki Kumar's opening monologue in a prison cell — screaming into the silence, declaring he fears the quiet more than death itself.
Established Dhanush as a serious actor at 22. The film is now a cult classic and this scene is frequently cited as one of Tamil cinema's most raw, unsettling character introductions.
View film →Karuppu watches his rooster fight in tense silence — clenching fists, suppressing every emotion to avoid tipping off opponents, while his entire fate hangs on the outcome.
Earned Dhanush the National Film Award for Best Actor. Widely cited as one of Tamil cinema's greatest restrained performances — he carries the film's climax through micro-expressions alone.
View film →Karthik's breakdown after hitting his pregnant wife — he freezes, unable to act, as neighbors rush in. The scene captures an imploding man confronting his own destruction.
Considered one of the most honest portrayals of self-destructive creative genius in Tamil cinema. The scene is widely discussed for its uncomfortable, unsparing realism.
View film →The recording and release of 'Why This Kolaveri Di' — a raw, unpolished studio take that became India's first video to reach 100 million YouTube views.
Transcended language and cultural boundaries, turning Dhanush into a pan-India and international name almost overnight. The phenomenon redefined viral music marketing in Indian cinema.
View film →Maryan's desert hallucination sequence — starving and delirious, he mimes an elaborate feast with a friend, his body physically reacting to imaginary food.
Demonstrated Dhanush's ability to carry emotionally devastating physical performance. Critics singled out this scene as proof of his transformation into a complete actor; won him Best Actor (Critics) at Filmfare South.
View film →Dhanush by the Numbers
If you watched every Dhanush film back-to-back, you'd be at it for roughly 5 days and 20h. Most-paired with Karunas — 9 films together.
Filmography
See all 60 credits →
Collaboration Network
The Constellation
Top 10 most-paired collaborators. Bubble size and line thickness reflect how many films they share with Dhanush.
Career Analytics
Genre Breakdown
Language Distribution
Films by Decade
Top Co-Actors
See all →Dhanush has worked most frequently with Selvaraghavan (5 films), Vetrimaaran (4 films), Mithran Jawahar (4 films), Balaji Mohan (2 films), and Suraj (2 films).
Did You Know?
Dhanush is the son-in-law of legendary Tamil actor and filmmaker Rajinikanth, having married his daughter Aishwarya Rajinikanth in 2004.
He made his acting debut in 2002 with the film 'Thulluvadho Ilamai', directed by his father Kasthuri Raja.
His song 'Why This Kolaveri Di' from the film '3' became a viral internet phenomenon in 2011, gaining international attention.
He won the National Film Award for Best Actor for his performance in 'Aadukalam' (2011).
He is also a successful playback singer, having sung several popular songs in Tamil films.
Signature Dialogues
Theeya Velai Seiyyanum Kumaru
Kokki Kumar·Pudhupettai
Kadavul Irukaan Kumaru
Kokki Kumar·Pudhupettai
Bothe.. Vishe bothe (போதை.. விஷ போதை)
Kokki Kumar·Pudhupettai
KP Karuppu, ennaya venum unaku?
Karuppu·Aadukalam
Amul Baby... Raghuvaran-ah villain ah thaan paathuruppa.. Inime hero-vah paapa
Raghuvaran·Velaiyilla Pattathari
Photos
See all →
Videos
Family
Father
Kasthuri Raja
Spouse
Aishwarya R. Dhanush
News & Stories
New Release Date Announced for Dhanush Movie "Raayan
11/6/2024
Check out the latest poster for Dhanush Ilaiyraaja movie!
3/6/2024
Raayan Second Single Release Date Announced
23/5/2024
Dhanush New Movie Raayan 'Adangatha Asuran' First single and movie Release Date Revealed!
10/5/2024
Kubera Team Starts Filming in Mumbai
26/4/2024
Legacy & Influence
Dhanush has carved a unique and influential path in Indian cinema, particularly in Tamil film, by consistently defying conventional leading-man stereotypes. Emerging as a romantic lead in the early 2000s, he strategically pivoted to complex, often gritty character roles that showcased his exceptional dramatic range and physical commitment. His career is defined by a fearless selection of scripts, collaborating with auteurs like Vetrimaaran and Selvaraghavan to explore raw, socially conscious, and morally ambiguous narratives. His National Film Award-winning performance in 'Aadukalam' (2011) cemented his status as a serious actor of formidable talent, capable of profound depth in portraying rural strife and machismo. Beyond acting, his unexpected, viral global phenomenon 'Why This Kolaveri Di' demonstrated a unique crossover appeal, introducing Tamil pop culture to a vast international audience. As a producer under his banner Wunderbar Films, he has championed innovative content, backing critically acclaimed films like 'Kaaka Muttai', which won the National Award for Best Children's Film, and 'The Gray Man'. His later performances in the two-part gangster epic 'Vada Chennai' and the fierce, agrarian revenge drama 'Asuran' have been hailed as career-defining, solidifying his image as the preeminent performer for intense, layered characters. Dhanush's legacy lies in broadening the scope of the Tamil hero, proving that mainstream success can be built on artistic risk, authentic storytelling, and a rejection of glamour in favor of gritty realism. He has inspired a generation of actors to pursue unconventional roles and has elevated the perception of Tamil cinema on national and international stages through both his artistic choices and his unexpected, culture-defining musical moment.