# Dhanush (தனுஷ்)
**Dhanush** (தனுஷ்) is the stage name of Venkatesh Prabhu Kasthuri Raja, an Indian actor, producer, director, writer, lyricist, screenwriter, and playback singer who works predominantly in [Tamil cinema](https://www.edgepedia.org/tamil-cinema)[1](https://www.imdb.com/name/nm1333687/). Born in Chennai in 1983, he is the son of the Tamil film director Kasthuri Raja and the younger brother of director [Selvaraghavan](https://www.edgepedia.org/selvaraghavan)[2](https://indianexpress.com/about/dhanush/). He won the National Film Award for Best Actor for *Aadukalam* in 2011 and again for *Asuran* in 2021, and in the same year as his first award he gained international attention for the song "Why This Kolaveri Di", which became the most viewed Indian song on YouTube[1](https://www.imdb.com/name/nm1333687/).
| Key fact | Detail |
|---|---|
| Birth name and birth | Venkatesh Prabhu Kasthuri Raja, born 1983 in Chennai[1](https://www.imdb.com/name/nm1333687/) • [2](https://indianexpress.com/about/dhanush/) |
| Debut | *Thulluvadho Ilamai* (2002), a coming-of-age film directed by his father Kasthuri Raja[1](https://www.imdb.com/name/nm1333687/) |
| National Film Awards | Best Actor for *Aadukalam* (58th awards, shared with Salim Kumar) and for *Asuran* (67th awards, shared with Manoj Bajpayee)[3](https://www.pib.gov.in/newsite/printrelease.aspx?lang=2®=48&relid=72204) • [4](https://www.nationalfilmawards.in/national-film-awards-winners/) |
| Viral song | "Why This Kolaveri Di" from *3* (2012), the first Indian song with 100 million YouTube views[5](https://www.ndtv.com/lifestyle/how-dhanush-43-today-built-a-rs-230-crore-fortune-rs-150-crore-chennai-mansion-luxury-cars-businesses-11830957?pfrom=home-ndtv_icymistories) |
| Hindi debut | *Raanjhanaa* (2013), which won him the Filmfare Award for Best Male Debut[6](https://thetvdb.com/people/8176989-dhanush) |
| Other honors | Four National Film Awards (two as actor, two as producer), 14 SIIMA Awards, nine Vijay Awards, seven Filmfare Awards South[7](https://www.tamilmdb.com/crew/6212/dhanush) |
| Recent recognition | At the 72nd National Film Awards (announced 18 July 2026), *Raayan* won Best Tamil Film with Dhanush as director, and he received a Special Mention for acting in *Captain Miller*[8](https://www.ndtv.com/entertainment/dhanush-keen-on-joining-politics-sources-to-ndtv-11827027/amp/1) |
## Early life and debut
Dhanush was born to the filmmaker Kasthuri Raja and Vijayalakshmi in Chennai, and studied at St. John's Matriculation Higher Secondary School in Alwarthirunagar[2](https://indianexpress.com/about/dhanush/). He entered films while still in school: his brother Selvaraghavan wrote the screenplay for *Thulluvadho Ilamai*, which their father directed and released in 2002[2](https://indianexpress.com/about/dhanush/) • [9](https://tamil.filmibeat.com/heroes/dhanush-who-is-venkatesh-prabhu-kasthuri-raja-180058.html). His second film, Selvaraghavan's *Kaadhal Kondein* (2003), established him as a bankable talent in Tamil cinema, and the romantic comedy *Thiruda Thirudi*, released the same year, made him popular with mass audiences[2](https://indianexpress.com/about/dhanush/).
## Rise in Tamil cinema
Through the 2000s Dhanush moved between commercial entertainers and darker roles. He collaborated with his brother again on the gangster drama *Pudhupettai* (2006), which showcased his ability to carry a serious role with intensity, and followed it with hits such as *Polladhavan*, *Padikkadavan*, and *Kutty*[2](https://indianexpress.com/about/dhanush/). His second film with director [Vetrimaaran](https://www.edgepedia.org/vetrimaaran), *Aadukalam* (2010), brought his first National Film Award for Best Actor; the jury citation praised "the raw, nuanced portrayal of a cocky young man who learns lessons about life the hard way"[3](https://www.pib.gov.in/newsite/printrelease.aspx?lang=2®=48&relid=72204).
**Kolaveri and national fame.** In 2012 Dhanush wrote and sang "Why This Kolaveri Di" for *3*, a film produced by his own new company and directed by his then wife [Aishwarya Rajinikanth](https://www.edgepedia.org/aishwarya-rajinikanth)[10](https://indianexpress.com/article/entertainment/tamil/dhanush-41-the-early-years-of-a-reluctant-actor-who-turned-into-a-unique-superstar-9480387/). The song, released on YouTube, spread across India within days and became the first Indian song to reach 100 million views on the platform[5](https://www.ndtv.com/lifestyle/how-dhanush-43-today-built-a-rs-230-crore-fortune-rs-150-crore-chennai-mansion-luxury-cars-businesses-11830957?pfrom=home-ndtv_icymistories) • [9](https://tamil.filmibeat.com/heroes/dhanush-who-is-venkatesh-prabhu-kasthuri-raja-180058.html). The film also introduced the composer [Anirudh Ravichander](https://www.edgepedia.org/anirudh-ravichander), who wrote the song[10](https://indianexpress.com/article/entertainment/tamil/dhanush-41-the-early-years-of-a-reluctant-actor-who-turned-into-a-unique-superstar-9480387/).
## Hindi cinema and wider work
Dhanush made his Hindi debut in Aanand L. Rai's *Raanjhanaa* (2013), playing an obsessive one-sided lover; the performance won him the Filmfare Award for Best Male Debut along with a nomination for Best Actor[6](https://thetvdb.com/people/8176989-dhanush). He later appeared opposite [Amitabh Bachchan](https://www.edgepedia.org/amitabh-bachchan) in *Shamitabh* (2015)[2](https://indianexpress.com/about/dhanush/). In Tamil cinema his successes in this period included *Velaiyilla Pattathari* (2014), *[Kodi](https://www.edgepedia.org/kodi-film)* (2016), *Vada Chennai* (2018), and *Asuran* (2019)[2](https://indianexpress.com/about/dhanush/). *Asuran*, his fourth film with Vetrimaaran and an adaptation of Poomani's novel *Vekkai*, won him a second National Film Award for Best Actor, shared with [Manoj Bajpayee](https://www.edgepedia.org/manoj-bajpayee)[4](https://www.nationalfilmawards.in/national-film-awards-winners/). Later starring roles include *Karnan*, *Thiruchitrambalam*, *Captain Miller*, and *Raayan*[11](https://snapshot.apple.com/us/person/6621229218).
## Producing and directing
Dhanush founded the production company Wunderbar Films, through which he produced films including *Kaaka Muttai* and *Visaranai*, both of which drew international and national recognition, and *[Kaala](https://www.edgepedia.org/kaala-2018-film)*, starring his then father-in-law [Rajinikanth](https://www.edgepedia.org/rajinikanth)[12](https://l-cinema.dinamalar.com/tamil-news/104993/cinema/Kollywood/Dhanush-completed-20-years-in-Cinema.htm). He has also produced *Velaiyilla Pattathari*, *Maari*, *Naanum Rowdy Dhaan*, and *Pa. Pandi*, among others[13](https://tamil.samayam.com/tamil-cinema/dhanush-bio/ampdefault). As a director he first made *Pa. Pandi* (2018)[11](https://snapshot.apple.com/us/person/6621229218), and later wrote and directed *Raayan* (2024), in which he also starred[14](https://www.indiatoday.in/movies/regional-cinema/story/dhanush-films-asuran-karnan-raayan-kara-cost-of-fighting-the-system-2902246-2026-04-28). He followed it with *Idli Kadai* (2025), which he wrote, directed, and produced[15](https://tamil.filmibeat.com/celebs/dhanush/filmography.html).
## Awards
Dhanush's awards tally includes four [National Film Awards](https://www.edgepedia.org/national-film-awards), two as an actor and two as a producer, along with 14 SIIMA Awards, nine Vijay Awards, seven [Filmfare Awards South](https://www.edgepedia.org/filmfare-awards-south), five Vikatan Awards, five Edison Awards, and a Filmfare Award[7](https://www.tamilmdb.com/crew/6212/dhanush). He has appeared six times on the Forbes India Celebrity 100 list, which ranks Indian celebrities by earnings[7](https://www.tamilmdb.com/crew/6212/dhanush). At the 72nd National Film Awards, announced on 18 July 2026, *Raayan* won the award for Best Tamil Film with Dhanush credited as director, and he received a Special Mention (Best Actor) for *Captain Miller*[8](https://www.ndtv.com/entertainment/dhanush-keen-on-joining-politics-sources-to-ndtv-11827027/amp/1). The choice of *Raayan* over films such as *Meiazhagan* and *Maharaja* drew criticism from sections of audiences and reviewers[8](https://www.ndtv.com/entertainment/dhanush-keen-on-joining-politics-sources-to-ndtv-11827027/amp/1).
## Personal life
Dhanush married Aishwarya Rajinikanth, the elder daughter of the actor Rajinikanth, in 2004; the marriage ended in divorce in 2024[2](https://indianexpress.com/about/dhanush/). They have two sons, Yathra and Linga[2](https://indianexpress.com/about/dhanush/). In Tamil cinema he is known by the nickname "Indian Bruce Lee"[16](https://tamil.filmibeat.com/celebs/dhanush/biography.html). His net worth was estimated at Rs 2.3 billion (Rs 230 crore) in 2025[5](https://www.ndtv.com/lifestyle/how-dhanush-43-today-built-a-rs-230-crore-fortune-rs-150-crore-chennai-mansion-luxury-cars-businesses-11830957?pfrom=home-ndtv_icymistories).
## Recent and upcoming projects
Dhanush's film *OM Chapter 1: Udhiram – The Blood Wood*, co-starring [Mammootty](https://www.edgepedia.org/mammootty), was scheduled for release on 16 October 2026, but he announced in September 2026 that it would not meet that date[2](https://indianexpress.com/about/dhanush/). In April 2026, Variety India reported that [Sanjay Leela Bhansali](https://www.edgepedia.org/sanjay-leela-bhansali) had signed Dhanush to headline a large-scale mythological jungle drama, to be produced under Bhansali Productions and directed by the Tamil filmmaker P.S. Mithran in his [Hindi cinema](https://www.edgepedia.org/hindi-cinema) debut[17](https://varietyindia.com/sanjay-leela-bhansali-dhanush-to-collaborate-for-a-mythological-jungle-drama-exclusive/). He has also been signed to play the composer Ilaiyaraaja in a biopic of the musician's life[18](https://www.dinamalar.com/malarkal/vara-malar-weekly-magazine/varamalar-cinema/73392). In July 2026, NDTV reported, citing sources, that Dhanush was evaluating a possible entry into politics[8](https://www.ndtv.com/entertainment/dhanush-keen-on-joining-politics-sources-to-ndtv-11827027/amp/1).
## References
1. [Dhanush, IMDb](https://www.imdb.com/name/nm1333687/)
2. [Dhanush: News, Movies, Photos, Videos & Updates, The Indian Express](https://indianexpress.com/about/dhanush/)
3. [58th National Film Awards Announced, Press Information Bureau](https://www.pib.gov.in/newsite/printrelease.aspx?lang=2®=48&relid=72204)
4. [National Film Awards Winners List: Complete Database (1954–2026)](https://www.nationalfilmawards.in/national-film-awards-winners/)
5. [How Dhanush Built A Rs 230 Crore Fortune, NDTV](https://www.ndtv.com/lifestyle/how-dhanush-43-today-built-a-rs-230-crore-fortune-rs-150-crore-chennai-mansion-luxury-cars-businesses-11830957?pfrom=home-ndtv_icymistories)
6. [Dhanush, TheTVDB](https://thetvdb.com/people/8176989-dhanush)
7. [Dhanush, TamilMDb](https://www.tamilmdb.com/crew/6212/dhanush)
8. ["Dhanush Keen On Joining Politics": Sources To NDTV](https://www.ndtv.com/entertainment/dhanush-keen-on-joining-politics-sources-to-ndtv-11827027/amp/1)
9. [தனுஷ்: ஒரு நாயகன் உருவான கதை…, Filmibeat Tamil](https://tamil.filmibeat.com/heroes/dhanush-who-is-venkatesh-prabhu-kasthuri-raja-180058.html)
10. [Dhanush @ 41: The early years of a reluctant actor, The Indian Express](https://indianexpress.com/article/entertainment/tamil/dhanush-41-the-early-years-of-a-reluctant-actor-who-turned-into-a-unique-superstar-9480387/)
11. [Dhanush, Apple Snapshot](https://snapshot.apple.com/us/person/6621229218)
12. [திரைவாழ்க்கையில் 20 ஆண்டுகளை கடந்த தனுஷ், Dinamalar](https://l-cinema.dinamalar.com/tamil-news/104993/cinema/Kollywood/Dhanush-completed-20-years-in-Cinema.htm)
13. [தனுஷ் திரைப்படங்கள், Samayam Tamil](https://tamil.samayam.com/tamil-cinema/dhanush-bio/ampdefault)
14. [Asuran, Karnan and now Kara: Why Dhanush's saviour roles never get happy victories, India Today](https://www.indiatoday.in/movies/regional-cinema/story/dhanush-films-asuran-karnan-raayan-kara-cost-of-fighting-the-system-2902246-2026-04-28)
15. [தனுஷ் திரைப்பட பட்டியல், Filmibeat Tamil](https://tamil.filmibeat.com/celebs/dhanush/filmography.html)
16. [தனுஷ் பயோடேட்டா, Filmibeat Tamil (biography)](https://tamil.filmibeat.com/celebs/dhanush/biography.html)
17. [Sanjay Leela Bhansali, Dhanush to Collaborate For a Mythological Jungle Drama, Variety India](https://varietyindia.com/sanjay-leela-bhansali-dhanush-to-collaborate-for-a-mythological-jungle-drama-exclusive/)
18. [இதப்படிங்க முதல்ல…, Dinamalar](https://www.dinamalar.com/malarkal/vara-malar-weekly-magazine/varamalar-cinema/73392)
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*Topic: Encyclopedia › Arts and culture › Screen and stage › Film and television › Films and standalone screen works › Film people and crafts › Film actors and performers › Indian and South Asian film actors by industry and language › Tamil film actors › Surnames symbols to J*
*Initially written Sep 17, 2026 · Reviewed: Sep 17, 2026; Sep 18, 2026; Oct 25, 2026 · Edited: Sep 18, 2026; Oct 12, 2026; Oct 15, 2026; Oct 25, 2026 · Last review: Oct 25, 2026*
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