Dhanush turns 41! The actor is presently enjoying the success of his most recent film, Raayan, which, after numerous delays, finally opened theaters on July 26, only two days before his birthday. The picture seemed to have had a generally positive reception from the audience, acting as a wonderful birthday present for the multi-faceted performer.
From how Dhanush chose his now-famous stage name to his spiritually-based eating preferences, here are some lesser-known facts about the birthday boy.
Dhanush never wanted to be an actor.
Despite the fact that Dhanush comes from a family that has a long history in the film industry, he never seemed to be troubled by the idea of the possibility of acting in films and experiencing popularity. Despite the fact that his family has a long history of working in the film industry, this is the case. To put this into perspective, the vast majority of people would be willing to give up their life if they were given the opportunity to do so. Following the completion of his education, he aspired to pursue a career in the culinary arts. His ultimate goal was to obtain a degree in Hotel Management and then to find employment in the hospitality industry after he had completed his education. There was not a single person who had any doubt in their mind that he would attempt to make this a feasible choice for himself.
It would appear that fate had other plans for Dhanush, since he is today the recipient of four National Awards for his work as an actor and producer, and he has also been able to successfully pursue parallel careers in the film industries of Kollywood, Bollywood, and Hollywood. It would appear that fate had other intentions for Dhanush. It would appear that destiny had different plans in store for Dhanush from the beginning. On the other hand, it would appear that fate had other things in store for Dhanush than what he had anticipated.
Who altered his mind?
Dhanush may have missed out on his dream life if it hadn’t been for his older brother Selvaraghavan. Selvaraghavan, a director and screenwriter, pressured Dhanush to try his hand at acting.
Dhanush was so opposed to the notion that in a prior interview, he admitted to throwing fits and tantrums to get out of it. Fortunately, all of this was in vain. Dhanush made his acting debut in the 2002 film Thulluvado Ilamai, which was directed by his father Kasthuri Raja.
Dhanush is not the actor’s true name.
Dhanush’s birth name, Venkatesh Prabhu Kasthuri Raja, is vastly different from the name he is presently known by. Why did he change it, you ask? So he could distinguish himself from other industry players such as actor-director-choreographer Prabhu Deva and actor Ilaya Thilagam Prabhu.
The tale behind how he chose the name ‘Dhanush’ is equally interesting. The actor was apparently inspired by the mission name from the 1995 film Kuruthipunal, which starred Kamal Haasan. He so elected to christen himself appropriately, a personal branding decision that has definitely paid off for him.
Dhanush
No meat for Dhanush.
Dhanush is not only a vegetarian, but also the ‘Hottest Vegetarian Celebrity’. Before you think we’re favoring the birthday boy, consider this: PETA awarded him the title in 2011.Dhanush’s decision to remain vegetarian, however, goes far beyond food inclinations. It is said to stem from the actor’s strong devotion to Shiv.
Dhanush’s dedication is evident in the religious names given to both of his children. His older son, born in 2006, is named Yatra, while his younger son, born in 2010, is named Linga.
Remember Kolaveri Di?
Even if you only know Dhanush from his work in Bollywood and Hollywood, the iconic song Kolaveri Di is an essential part of the actor’s on-screen heritage. While the song from Shruti Haasan’s 2012 film 3 is well-known in mainstream culture, few people realize that the wacky lyrics to the Anirudh Ravichander tune took only 6 minutes to write. Today seems like the right day to revisit this unique music.
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