Happy Birthday, Dhanush. The Extraordinary Journey Of The Actor @36

An award-winning actor, singer and filmmaker, Dhanush is a man of multiple talents. He has starred in films like Maari, Thanga Magan and Raanjhanaa but it was the song Why This Kolaveri D, which put Dhanush on the map of stardom.

As Dhanush turns 36 today, here's a pictorial look at his life and career so far.

Dhanush, real name Venkatesh Prabhu Kasthuri Raja, was born on July 28, 1983. His father, Kasthuri Raja, is a well-known director and producer in Tamil industry.

His brother Selvaraghavan, also a director, is the ones who convinced Dhanush to pursue a career in acting.

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The actor married Aishwaryaa, daughter of superstar Rajinikanth on November 18, 2004. They have a son named Yatra, born in 2006.

In 2002, Dhanush made his big screen in Thulluvadho Ilamai. The movie, directed by his father, brought him much praise from the critics and audience.

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The following year, Dhanush won the hearts of critics with his performance as a mentally-disturbed boy in Kadhai Kondein, which was his brother Selvaraghavan's debut film as a director.

The movie was also a commercial success and Dhanush established a strong foothold among the A-list actors of the Tamil industry.

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In 2003, Dhanush's Thiruda Thirudi was a blockbuster hit. It proved to be a turning point in his career and there was no looking back for the actor who earned a slew of projects after its release.

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However, Dhanush next hit a rocky phase with successive flops with films like Pudhukottaiyilirundhu Saravanan (2003), Sullan (2004) and Dreams (2004).

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In2005, Dhanush delivered Devathaiyai Kanden and Adhu Oru Kana Kaalam, which did average business commercially.

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It was brother Selvaraghavan who came to the rescue with the 2006 film Pudhupettai, which put Dhanush back in the reckoning.

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The rom-com Thiruvilayadal Arambam opposite Shriya Saran in 2006 also helped revive his career. The movie was a hit and Dhanush was applauded by the audience as well as the critics.

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The year 2008 brought in good fortune for the actor. Yaaradi Nee Mohini, opposite Nayanthara, was a hit and the actor won the Entertainer of the Year Award at the Vijay Awards the same year.

Dhanush also did a cameo in his father-in-law Rajinikanth's Kuselan.

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2009 release Padikathavan brought much needed praise and stability for Dhanush. The movie included hit action sequences.

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The year 2011 was noteworthy for Dhanush as he won the National Film Award for Best Actor at the 58th National Film Awards for Aadukalam.

Dhanush created history by becoming the youngest actor to receive the award.

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In 2012, Dhanush featured as the lead actor in 3, his wife Aishwaryaa's debut film as a director in 2012.

The movie starring Dhanush and actress Shruti Haasan got mixed reviews, although the song Why This Kolaveri D from 3 became a sensational hit.

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Dhanush reportedly wrote the lyrics of his chartbuster Why This Kolaveri D in just six minutes. Another feather was added to his cap as the song became the most searched video in India on YouTube, fetching him immense popularity and recognition.

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Dhanush won over Bollywood with hit 2013 movie Raanjhanaa, co-starring actress Sonam Kapoor.

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Between blockbuster Velaiyilla Pattathari and box office dud Shamitabh, 2014 was a mixed year for Dhanush. Velaiyilla Pattathari was Dhanush's 25th film. In R Balki's Shamitabh, the actor was teamed with megastar Amitabh Bachchan and newcomer Akshara Haasan.

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The 2015 film Kaaka Muttai won Dhanush his second National Award (as producer).

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2015 started on an excellent note for Dhanush with the stupendous success of Anegan and Maari. The same year, he also starred in movies like Thanga Magan and Vai Raja Vai.

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In 2016, Dhanush featured in films like Thodari and Kodi.

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In 2017, Dhanush debuted as a director in Pa Paandi, starring Rajkiran and Revathi in lead roles. He also featured in the film in a cameo role.

In the 2017 film Velaiilla Pattadhari 2 or VIP 2, Dhanush was seen sharing screen space with Kajol. The film was directed by his sister-in-law Soundarya Rajnikanth.

In 2018, Dhanush starred in films such as Vada Chennai and Maari 2.

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Dhanush's English film The Extraordinary Journey Of The Fakir toured several film festivals in 2018 and finally released in India in 2019.

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Dhanush is currently working on Vetrimaaran-directed Asuran while he revealed during a media interaction that he'll soon team up with his Raanjhanaa director Aanand L Rai for another Hindi film.

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Here's wishing Dhanush a very happy birthday and all the very best for his future endeavours.

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