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Dhanush Biography: Age, Career, Family and More

F4U Editorial Desk • Updated September 29, 2026 • 6 min read

Quick Info

Date of birth28 July 1983

Age43 Years

BirthplaceGovernment Children’s Hospital, Egmore, Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India

ProfessionActor, Producer, Director, Writer, Lyricist, Screenwriter, Playback Singer

NationalityIndian

Marital statusDivorced

SpouseAishwarya R. Dhanush (m. 2004; div. 27 November 2024)

FamilyFather: Kasthuri Raja; Mother: Vijaylakshmi; Brother: Selvaraghavan; Children: Yatra (son), Linga (son)

Net worthRs. 230 Crore (as of 2024)

Dhanush Biography

Indian actor, producer, writer and singer Dhanush rose from a modest Chennai upbringing to national prominence through a string of acclaimed Tamil films, a

Early life and background
Dhanush was born on 28 July 1983 at the Government Children’s Hospital in Egmore, Chennai. Raised in a middle-class Hindu family, he spent his early childhood in Chennai and later completed formal education through distance learning, earning a Bachelor of Computer Applications. He attended Thai Sathya Matriculation High School and studied at Madurai Kamaraj University. Dhanush has described growing up with modest means; his father worked long hours and took on odd jobs before breaking into the film business as an assistant director.

Career
Dhanush made his acting debut in 2002 in his father’s film Thulluvadho Ilamai. Early in his career he worked with his brother Selvaraghavan, appearing in Kadhal Kondein (2003). After a period of setbacks at the box office in 2004, he steadily built commercial momentum with films such as Devathaiyai Kanden (2005), Adhu Oru Kana Kaalam (2005), Yaaradi Nee Mohini (2008), and Padikkadavan (2009).

His performance in Aadukalam (2011) brought national recognition and his first National Film Award for Best Actor. He continued to diversify his work across languages and roles, making a Hindi film debut with Raanjhanaa (2013) and appearing in English-language projects such as The Extraordinary Journey of the Fakir (2015). He also featured opposite Amitabh Bachchan in the Hindi film Shamitabh (2015).

Beyond acting, Dhanush has been active as a producer, lyricist, playback singer and writer. He and his wife launched the production banner Wunderbar Films in 2010; their first release as producers was the Tamil film 3 (2012). Other films he has produced include Ethir Neechal (2013), Kaaki Sattai (2015), Maari (2015), Kaala (2018), and Maari 2 (2018).

As a singer and lyricist he has contributed to many films. The song Why This Kolaveri Di, released in 2012 from the film 3, became a global viral phenomenon. He has sung tracks such as Un mele (Aayirathil Oruvan, 2010), Danga maari (Anegan, 2015), Maalai Varum Vannilla (Nenjam Marappathillai, 2016), Polladha Bhoomi (Asuran, 2019), and Kaathodu Kaathanen (Jail, 2020). His lyrical credits include Why This Kolaveri Di (3, 2012), Po Indru Neeyaga (Velaiilla Pattadhari, 2014), Venpanimalare (Pa Paandi, 2017), and Ilamai Thirumbuthe (Petta, 2019).

Awards and recognition
Dhanush’s work has been recognized with multiple major awards. He has won National Film Awards as an actor and as a producer across several years, including Best Actor for Aadukalam (2010) and Asuran (2019), and producer awards for films such as Kaaka Muttai (Best Children’s Film, 2014) and Visaranai (Best Feature Film in Tamil, 2015). He has also received numerous Filmfare Awards (including a Filmfare Best Debutant Actor for Raanjhanaa), Filmfare Awards South, Vijay Awards, SIIMA awards, IIFA Utsavam honours, and Edison Awards.

Public profile
Dhanush is known for a restrained off-screen presence and for being comfortable in front of the camera. He has described early struggles with English and stage fright, and has discussed the influence of his father’s writing and persistence on his own career path. He has been identified publicly by a number of personal details: his birth name, family relationships including his father Kasthuri Raja and brother Selvaraghavan, and his role as a father to two sons, Yatra (born 2006) and Linga (born 2010).

Personal life
Dhanush married Aishwarya R. Dhanush in November 2004. The couple were partners in life and business for many years and jointly ran Wunderbar Films. Public records list his marital status as divorced as of November 2024. He follows Hinduism, identifies as vegetarian, and has spoken about his devotion to Lord Shiva, reflected in the names of his children.

Latest updates
By 2021 Dhanush had completed work on Tamil and Hindi projects including Jagame Thandhiram and Atrangi Re, and was involved in the English-language film The Gray Man. In the years since, his filmography has continued to span acting, producing, singing and writing, and his contributions have been repeatedly honoured at major Indian film awards. In 2026, he was credited at the National Film Awards with a Best Tamil Feature Film award for Raayan and a Special Mention for Captain Miller.

Style and interests
Dhanush’s professional range extends from mainstream Tamil cinema to Hindi and English-language projects. He has named a diverse set of cinematic influences and favorite performers, and maintains interests in sports such as tennis, snooker and football. Known for a pragmatic approach to work, he has at times spoken candidly about nerves in public settings while expressing confidence in performing for the camera.
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Recent Work

Jagame Thandhiram

Tamil film completed shooting in 2021

2021
Atrangi Re

Hindi film completed shooting in 2021

2021
The Gray Man

English film he was filming for in 2021

2021
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Career Highlights

  1. Debut in Thulluvadho Ilamai (2002)
  2. National Film Award for Best Actor for Aadukalam (2010)
  3. Viral global hit song Why This Kolaveri Di (2012)
  4. Successful cross‑over to Hindi cinema with Raanjhanaa (2013)
  5. Multiple National Film Awards as actor and producer
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Net Worth

Rs. 230 Crore (as of 2024)

Figures are editorial estimates based on publicly available reporting and may change as new information emerges.

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Frequently Asked Questions

When was Dhanush born?

28 July 1983

What is Dhanush known for?

Actor, Producer, Director, Writer, Lyricist, Screenwriter, Playback Singer

What is Dhanush’s marital status?

Divorced

Who is Dhanush married to?

Aishwarya R. Dhanush (m. 2004; div. 27 November 2024)

What is Dhanush’s net worth?

Rs. 230 Crore (as of 2024)