Driving Naari Programme launched in Chandigarh
Kolaveri Di made him an international star overnight, but it was his performance in Anand Rai’s Raanjhanaa that made Bollywood sit up and take notice. Dhanush, who also happens to be veteran actor Rajinikanth’s son-in-law, is a superstar in the south and is now taking his baby steps in Bollywood. While not many of the southern superstars, except for Rajinikanth and Kamal Haasan, may have been very successful in their tryst with Bollywood, Dhanush appears confident. “I just work hard and treat each film as my first. I try to give my best shot in whatever little I do,” says the actor whose film Shamitabh hit theatres this week.
“When I did Raanjhanaa, I didn’t know what was happening, things went very fast around me and by the time I realised, time had passed by and I had made a lot of mistakes in the process. This time I really enjoyed the process of acting. I have got a second chance and have learnt not to repeat those mistakes. I enjoy being treated as a newcomer. It’s fun and it’s like me watching myself from an aerial view,” he adds smilingly.
There are huge expectations from Dhanush after the success of his debut Hindi film, but the actor says he feels no pressure. “The pressure is all on Balki sir (director). The only pressure on me is whether he is happy with my work or not. An actor can perform many roles, but this was a mighty one and I hope I have lived up to my director’s expectations. I have worked hard and I have seen Balki do that too, so I hope the film works,” he says.
On sharing screen space with Amitabh Bachchan, the actor says, “I was thrilled to work with a legend like him. I got to observe him as an actor and human being. I wish I had more number of days to shoot with Mr Bachchan so that I could steal a little more from him,” he laughs.
Ask the National Award-winning actor, if he has similar expectations from this film as well and he says, “I am very greedy as an actor and if it happens (a National Award) I will be over the moon. It encourages me to learn and train more.”
Dhanush apparently is not deterred by his contemporaries who have well-toned bodies. “I work out every day to stay fit, but I am in no hurry,” he says. “A lot of sacrifice goes into making that kind of a body. For now I want to exploit this age and my looks to play different roles like Kundan in Raanjhanaa. For me what matters is the script. I don’t care about looks. I believe every human being has something special in her or him. I keep telling my wife that I have a better nose than her,” he laughs again.
About singing in Bollywood, the versatile actor says he has not given it a thought yet. “I am a very bad singer. Though I have never learnt music, I cannot survive without it; everything is music for me. I am a raw singer; my songs have become popular because of the software. I think anyone can sing as there are no rules,” he says.
Like career, on the personal front too, everything is hunky dory in Dhanush’s life. “If my home is not peaceful, my work will suffer. My wife Aishwarya has created a beautiful nest for me and I feel happy to go back there. I am able to work so much because I know she is there to take care of my sons, Natha (8) and Linga (6). Whatever I am today is because of my wife. I have a great career and I have got a beautiful wife and great kids. I have got more than I deserved,” he says.
