Out of all the actors transcending language boundaries, Dhanush stands out as the picture of variety and brilliance. With a career spanning more than two decades, Dhanush has effortlessly carved out a place in audiences' hearts by giving acclaimed performances across industries and formats.
Dhanush, whose real name is Venkatesh Prabhu Kasthuri Raja, is not only a talented actor who can easily slip into the role of any person he plays but often regales his fans with his sharp dance moves. He's also given his voice to multiple songs, the most famous being ‘Kolaveri Di’. He has become a major player in the film industry thanks to his captivating on-screen presence, faultless speech delivery, and astounding emotional range.
Dhanush stands out for his unmatched genuineness in every role he plays and his filmography is as impressively diverse as it is outstanding, demonstrating his incredible ability as an actor in everything genre. From playing romantic leads to gangsters to a farmer, and even a mute superstar, Dhanush's range is commendable.
Here are 7 Dhanush films you must check out
1. Velaiilla Pattadhari (2014)
This Tamil comedy-drama, commonly referred to asVIP was directed by Velraj and centres on Raghuvaran, a civil engineer who is having trouble finding work. Audiences responded well to Dhanush's portrayal of Raghuvaran because it skillfully combined humour and emotion. His flawless comic timing and relatable performance enhanced the movie, turning it into a huge box-office hit that inspired a sequel.
2. Kaadhal Kondein (2003)
This powerful psychological thriller served as Dhanush's lead acting debut. He gave a ground-breaking performance. The movie, which was directed by his brother Selvaraghavan, looks at the dark and obsessional aspect of love. Vinod, a mentally ill young guy, was portrayed by Dhanush in a frightening and compelling way that garnered him praise from critics and demonstrated his ability to handle challenging roles.
3. Asuran (2019)
In Vetrimaaran's Asuran, Dhanush gave a standout performance as Sivasamy, a farmer battling against caste-based persecution. The drama, which is set in rural Tamil Nadu, is gritty and hard-hitting and deals with social issues. Dhanush won praise for his outstanding performance as Sivasamy, who embodied vulnerability and ferocious tenacity. This performance also demonstrated his ability to intensely command the screen.
4. Maryan (2013)
A suspenseful survival thriller based on actual events was directed by Bharat Bala. Maryan, a fisherman who is stuck in Sudan and goes through unthinkable trials, was represented by Dhanush. His portrayal of the character brilliantly captured his tenacity, suffering, and longing. Viewers were profoundly affected by Dhanush's talent for expressing emotions with his eyes and adding realism to his portrayal.
5. Vada Chennai (2018)
This movie is a riveting crime drama directed by Vetrimaaran that is set in North Chennai. Anbu, a talented carrom player caught up in the vicious underbelly, was compellingly portrayed by Dhanush. His subtle portrayal demonstrated the character's progression from innocence to becoming an important figure in the harsh world of crime. The plot gained depth thanks to Dhanush's raw and strong performance, which made it interesting to watch.
6. Aadukalam (2011)
Aadukalam, a gritty and powerful drama directed by Vetrimaaran, is set against the backdrop of cockfighting in rural Tamil Nadu. Dhanush won the National Film Award for Best Actor for his depiction of Karuppu, a driven and ambitious young man involved in cockfighting, and received favourable reviews. Dhanush is known as a powerful performer thanks to his nuanced portrayal of the character's fragility, internal struggles, and final plunge into darkness.
7. Raanjhanaa (2013)
In Aanand L. Rai's Raanjhanaa, Dhanush had a touching performance as Kundan Shankar, a small-town kid madly in love with Zoya, who was portrayed by Sonam Kapoor. Dhanush perfectly portrayed his character's purity, naivete, and steadfast loyalty. He demonstrated his talent for bringing complicated emotions to life on television with his depiction of Kundan, who is caught between love and obsession.