Dhanush

Dhanush (born: Venkatesh Prabhu Kasthuri Raja on 28 July 1983), is an Indian film actor, playback singer, lyricist and producer, prominent in Tamil Cinema. His filmography includes critically acclaimed films like Kadhal Kondein, Pudhupettai, Aadukalam and Mayakkam Enna and commercially successful films like Thulluvadho Ilamai, Thiruda Thirudi, Thiruvilayadal Arambam, Polladhavan, Yaaradi Nee Mohini, Padikathavan, Kutty and Uthama Puthiran.
He won the National Film Award for Best Actor and Filmfare Award for Best Actor – Tamil for his performance in Aadukalam. He is the son of Kasthuri Raja and the brother of Selvaraghavan, both directors in Tamil cinema. Dhanush has been in the spotlight in the wake of the mass success of his song "Why This Kolaveri Di".

Dhanush occasionally works as a playback singer and lyricist as well, generally in his own films. He was introduced as a playback singer in Pudhukottaiyilirundhu Saravanan by its composer Yuvan Shankar Raja and collaborated again with him in his brother Selvaraghavan's directorial, Pudhupettai. He sung further numbers in Selvaraghavan's films Aayirathil Oruvan and Mayakkam Enna; the former featured him alongside his wife Aishwarya Rajinikanth. His biggest success became the song "Why this Kolaveri Di" from his upcoming film 3, directed by his wife. The song became viral on internet and gained overwhelming response, fetching Dhanush nationwide fame. He had also sung another song "Kannazhaga" from the same film with his co-star Shruti Haasan. He was nominated to become the brand ambassador of PETA with the title of India's Hottest Vegetarian Celebrity of 2011. Dhanush joins hands with WWF India to support Earth Hour 2012.