Dhanush's performance has to be seen to be believed.
Chennai:
Known for his balancing act between content and commerce, Dhanush has come a long way from Thulluvatho Ilamai till Maari. Here are four of our favourite versatile facets of Dhanush, which have earned him universal praise and critical acclaim.
The social outcast: Vinoth
Film: Kaadhal Kondein (2003)
When Vinoth, the scruffy, self-conscious introvert, walks into a college classroom in the early portions of Kaadhal Kondein, little do we know that he would effortlessly go on to conquer millions of hearts in the next two hours, making us fervently root for this traumatized young genius, empathizing with his complicated emotions as he desperately tries to woo his only love, and gaping in horror even as he finds himself slowly turning into a psychopath in the process. Portraying a troubled, teenage social outcast, Dhanush with his unassuming mannerisms and dialogue delivery, aces the role with loads of spontaneity and organic charm, silencing a lot of his doubters forever.
Many a sequence in the film prove that the lanky kid of Thulluvatho Ilamai, who raised a lot of eyebrows with his unconventional looks, had brilliantly transformed into this gawky 'love- starved' youngster, trying in vain to come to terms with the ugly world around him. Consider for instance, the stretch where Vinoth shocks the hell out of his professor by solving a Maths problem on the blackboard with an unique nonchalant shrug, or the scene in the college canteen where he diffidently peeks into his companion's lunch box, yearning for some good food and instantaneously digging into it when offered, like it's the last meal he would ever have, or the climax where he wildly gyrates around while hammering his competitor-in-love. Dhanush had stormed into Tamil cinema!
The cold-hearted don: Kokki Kumar
Film: Pudhupettai (2006)
In a confrontation with goons, when the battered, badly butchered and almost-dead Dhanush, playing the raw-boned Kokki Kumar, turns back and lands a deadly blow on the brother of a gang leader, it was almost an allegorical blow to comments alluding to him to be a one film 'wonder'. In a jaw dropping display of primal survival instincts, Dhanush plays the moment with the ease of a veteran, registering the rawness and intensity on his face, as he conquers all pain and fears and stands tall to survive. Having been pulled into an unexpected gang war, and made an accidental killer, Kokki Kumar now stands before a shell-shocked furious mob, yelling out like a maniac that it doesn't pain any more. Combined with the brilliantly edgy background score, the sequence underscores, yet again, what a talented actor like Dhanush could do to a well- written scene.
Be it the stretch, where he breaks down in sheer agony, asking his fellow gang members not to tease him, or the segments where he, face smouldering with intent and eyes with rage, escapes the enemy's attacks on his life over a fateful night or an emotional moment he shares with Sonia, where she cynically suggests that his child out of his first wife, may in fact not quite be his. The sudden shattered look that Dhanush immediately brings on his face and the muted hardening of his subsequent expressions in the shower, speak volumes about the actor. Very rarely does an actor get to play a protagonist, whose instincts match those of an animal; someone who started out wanting just food, then slowly moving to a point where he would do anything to save his skin, in the process letting avarice swallow him up. This performance has to be seen to be believed!
The naive apprentice: Karuppu
Film: Aadukalam (2011)
Dhanush raises his eyebrows multiple times in Aadukalam, each time to depict antithetical emotions. Portraying the emotional roller-coaster ride of a young man called Karuppu residing in Madurai, the first time he does it to go into raptures after his sweetheart declares his love for him. Subsequently, he uses it effectively to convey the shock of his mother's demise, the angst of a confident rebel, the agony of seeing his mentor ill-treat him and in a final master stroke moment, to portray the mixed tormenting feelings when he learns of his mentor's betrayal. Playing a rural character is not so uncommon in our cinemas, but justifying it with loads of hard work - perfecting the body language, Madurai slang and mannerisms of someone who lives, breathes and dies rooster-fights right from childhood is what that makes it 'National Award' material.
The uninhibited energy that the actor brings to the table, when he breaks into those spontaneous dance segments on the streets and the infectious zeal he adds to the rooster fight sequences just through his piercing looks make the character seem tailor made for Dhanush, and to say he is a revelation is an understatement. Dhanush in fact proves his calibre yet again, bringing complex emotions like loyalty, breach of trust, denial and guilt to life, with magical ease.
The temperamental aspiring artist: Karthik Swaminathan
Film: Mayakkam Enna (2011)
Dhanush, portraying the role of an amateur photographer who strongly clings on to his passion of becoming a renowned wildlife photographer someday, is extremely convincing in bringing the emotional struggle of an aspiring artist to screen. He impresses with a gamut of emotions, as he passes through different phases; be it the part of a lively teenager, the guilt ridden best friend, a frustrated youngster, the moody, unpredictable life partner battling guilt and alcohol addiction or the mature successful photographer in the end.
Dhanush is terrific in a particular sequence, when he goes into the dense forests for the first time to take pictures. He brings out the nervous bliss on the face of someone who gets to do his resilient dream of several years. Seeing an eagle glide over to a tree, he sits down, trying to capture the magical frame, eyes gleaming with intent and amazement. Awe, elation, disbelief, amazement; some words that could be used to label the priceless look that this situation would call for, but Dhanush nails the moment by beautifully depicting the complex 'high' of a person, who had just experienced in all its grandeur, what it feels like to seriously indulge in his dear passion. The striking yet subdued portrayal of Karthik, a multifaceted personality by Dhanush, makes it one to cherish.
The social outcast: Vinoth
Film: Kaadhal Kondein (2003)
When Vinoth, the scruffy, self-conscious introvert, walks into a college classroom in the early portions of Kaadhal Kondein, little do we know that he would effortlessly go on to conquer millions of hearts in the next two hours, making us fervently root for this traumatized young genius, empathizing with his complicated emotions as he desperately tries to woo his only love, and gaping in horror even as he finds himself slowly turning into a psychopath in the process. Portraying a troubled, teenage social outcast, Dhanush with his unassuming mannerisms and dialogue delivery, aces the role with loads of spontaneity and organic charm, silencing a lot of his doubters forever.
Many a sequence in the film prove that the lanky kid of Thulluvatho Ilamai, who raised a lot of eyebrows with his unconventional looks, had brilliantly transformed into this gawky 'love- starved' youngster, trying in vain to come to terms with the ugly world around him. Consider for instance, the stretch where Vinoth shocks the hell out of his professor by solving a Maths problem on the blackboard with an unique nonchalant shrug, or the scene in the college canteen where he diffidently peeks into his companion's lunch box, yearning for some good food and instantaneously digging into it when offered, like it's the last meal he would ever have, or the climax where he wildly gyrates around while hammering his competitor-in-love. Dhanush had stormed into Tamil cinema!
The cold-hearted don: Kokki Kumar
Film: Pudhupettai (2006)
In a confrontation with goons, when the battered, badly butchered and almost-dead Dhanush, playing the raw-boned Kokki Kumar, turns back and lands a deadly blow on the brother of a gang leader, it was almost an allegorical blow to comments alluding to him to be a one film 'wonder'. In a jaw dropping display of primal survival instincts, Dhanush plays the moment with the ease of a veteran, registering the rawness and intensity on his face, as he conquers all pain and fears and stands tall to survive. Having been pulled into an unexpected gang war, and made an accidental killer, Kokki Kumar now stands before a shell-shocked furious mob, yelling out like a maniac that it doesn't pain any more. Combined with the brilliantly edgy background score, the sequence underscores, yet again, what a talented actor like Dhanush could do to a well- written scene.
Be it the stretch, where he breaks down in sheer agony, asking his fellow gang members not to tease him, or the segments where he, face smouldering with intent and eyes with rage, escapes the enemy's attacks on his life over a fateful night or an emotional moment he shares with Sonia, where she cynically suggests that his child out of his first wife, may in fact not quite be his. The sudden shattered look that Dhanush immediately brings on his face and the muted hardening of his subsequent expressions in the shower, speak volumes about the actor. Very rarely does an actor get to play a protagonist, whose instincts match those of an animal; someone who started out wanting just food, then slowly moving to a point where he would do anything to save his skin, in the process letting avarice swallow him up. This performance has to be seen to be believed!
The naive apprentice: Karuppu
Film: Aadukalam (2011)
Dhanush raises his eyebrows multiple times in Aadukalam, each time to depict antithetical emotions. Portraying the emotional roller-coaster ride of a young man called Karuppu residing in Madurai, the first time he does it to go into raptures after his sweetheart declares his love for him. Subsequently, he uses it effectively to convey the shock of his mother's demise, the angst of a confident rebel, the agony of seeing his mentor ill-treat him and in a final master stroke moment, to portray the mixed tormenting feelings when he learns of his mentor's betrayal. Playing a rural character is not so uncommon in our cinemas, but justifying it with loads of hard work - perfecting the body language, Madurai slang and mannerisms of someone who lives, breathes and dies rooster-fights right from childhood is what that makes it 'National Award' material.
The uninhibited energy that the actor brings to the table, when he breaks into those spontaneous dance segments on the streets and the infectious zeal he adds to the rooster fight sequences just through his piercing looks make the character seem tailor made for Dhanush, and to say he is a revelation is an understatement. Dhanush in fact proves his calibre yet again, bringing complex emotions like loyalty, breach of trust, denial and guilt to life, with magical ease.
The temperamental aspiring artist: Karthik Swaminathan
Film: Mayakkam Enna (2011)
Dhanush, portraying the role of an amateur photographer who strongly clings on to his passion of becoming a renowned wildlife photographer someday, is extremely convincing in bringing the emotional struggle of an aspiring artist to screen. He impresses with a gamut of emotions, as he passes through different phases; be it the part of a lively teenager, the guilt ridden best friend, a frustrated youngster, the moody, unpredictable life partner battling guilt and alcohol addiction or the mature successful photographer in the end.
Dhanush is terrific in a particular sequence, when he goes into the dense forests for the first time to take pictures. He brings out the nervous bliss on the face of someone who gets to do his resilient dream of several years. Seeing an eagle glide over to a tree, he sits down, trying to capture the magical frame, eyes gleaming with intent and amazement. Awe, elation, disbelief, amazement; some words that could be used to label the priceless look that this situation would call for, but Dhanush nails the moment by beautifully depicting the complex 'high' of a person, who had just experienced in all its grandeur, what it feels like to seriously indulge in his dear passion. The striking yet subdued portrayal of Karthik, a multifaceted personality by Dhanush, makes it one to cherish.
