Tamil actor Dhanush will soon be seen in ‘Shamitabh’, a movie that sees him sharing the screen with Amitabh Bachchan. Also in the movie is Akshara Haasan, who’s debuting in the film. Dhanush had an exclusive with Indian Express newspaper where he talked about everything, including unconventional looks, his movies, his family, his wife and his sons. Check out Dhanush’s interview below.
Dhanush talks about being pushed into acting as a 16-year-old
I took up acting upon the insistence of my filmmaker father, Kasthuri Raja. I was all of 16, I cried, threw tantrums, fasted. Nothing worked. I am glad it didn’t as I realise today I cannot do anything else.
Dhanush talks about being judged by his appearance
I knew, even then, that my looks would be criticised. But being a director’s son, I also knew that only the script matters, not looks. Whatever is in those pages can create a star out of an actor, no matter how he looks. Or bring him down too.
Dhanush talks about his father’s struggle
For a large part of his youth, he worked in a mill and took up odd jobs to make ends meet. We lived in a small room and could only afford a meal a day.
Dhanush talks about Raanjhana
I took up Raanjhana because I could relate to Kundan, I had felt similar love for a girl at that same age as the character I play.
Dhanush talks about Shamitabh
After Raanjhana, I patiently waited for the right script to come by. I read close to 30 scripts, but when Balki narrated Shamitabh, I knew this is it, this is the film for me.
On winning the National Award for Best Actor trophy for Aadukalam in 2011 at 27
Am sure there will soon be someone who will achieve the feat at 22 or 23. Also, at 27, I was at least 25 films old. With 14 years of work behind me, I sometimes feel old, older than I ought to.
Dhanush on being superstar Rajinikanth’s son-in-law
It’s great to be that. There is no comparison, he is a phenomenon. I prefer being called director Aishwarya Dhanush’s husband.
Dhanush on his wife Aishwarya
She and I share our passion for cinema, but at home, we hardly talk about it. Instead, we share other interests. We travel a lot, Aishwarya loves gambling and got me hooked to it too. She also loves shopping and I love to carry her bags. We’ve been married for almost a decade now and have two boys.
Dhanush on his sons, Linga and Yatra
They both look like me, which I love and which they’ll hate once they grow up (laughs).
Dhanush on not completing his education and missing his youth age
I cannot speak good English. And I missed a whole chapter in my life “youth, the age between 16 and 25. I haven’t experienced college life.