Dhanush Family Tree: The Story Behind Tamil Cinema's Multi-Hyphenate Star

Venkatesh Prabhu Kasthuri Raja, known as Dhanush, born 28 July 1983 in Madras (Chennai), Tamil Nadu, India, is a Tamil cinema actor, producer, director, singer, and writer — 3 National Film Awards; Aadukalam (2010), Maryan (2013), Asuran (2019), Karnan (2021); director of Pa Paandi (2017), Raayan (2024); singer of "Why This Kolaveri Di" (2011).

The Family's Roots: A Tamil Cinema Family in Chennai

The Kasthuri Raja family is from Chennai. Father a filmmaker.

His Parents

Father: Kasthuri Raja — Tamil film director (Veera 1994; Sundara Travels 2001).

Mother: Vijayalakshmi Kasthuri Raja — homemaker.

His Brother

Selvaraghavan, born 1976 — elder brother; Tamil film director (Pudhupettai 2006; Aayirathil Oruvan 2010; Naane Varuvean 2022).

His Ex-Wife: Aishwaryaa Rajinikanth

Aishwaryaa Rajinikanth, born 1 January 1981 — daughter of Rajinikanth (Tamil superstar); film director. Married Dhanush on 18 November 2004; separated 17 January 2022; divorced 2024.

Their Sons

Yatra Raja, born 2006 — son.

Linga Raja, born 2010 — son.

The Kasthuri Raja Family Tree at a Glance

Father: Kasthuri Raja — film director.

Mother: Vijayalakshmi Kasthuri Raja.

Brother: Selvaraghavan (b. 1976) — Tamil film director.

Ex-Wife: Aishwaryaa Rajinikanth (b. 1 January 1981; m. 18 November 2004, sep. 2022, div. 2024) — Rajinikanth's daughter.

Sons: Yatra (b. 2006); Linga (b. 2010).

Ex-Father-in-Law: Rajinikanth — Tamil cinema superstar.

Dhanush:

  • Born 28 July 1983, Chennai
  • Don Bosco Matriculation School, Chennai
  • Tamil cinema debut: Thulluvadho Ilamai (2002, directed by his father)
  • Major films:
    • Tamil: Yaaradi Nee Mohini (2008), Aadukalam (2010 — National Film Award Best Actor, youngest at the time), 3 (2012 — "Kolaveri Di"), Maryan (2013), Asuran (2019 — National Film Award Best Actor), Karnan (2021), Vaathi (2023), Captain Miller (2024)
    • Hindi: Raanjhanaa (2013), Shamitabh (2015), Atrangi Re (2021)
    • English/Hollywood: The Extraordinary Journey of the Fakir (2018), The Gray Man (2022 with Ryan Gosling)
  • Directorial debut: Pa Paandi (2017); Raayan (2024)
  • 3 National Film Awards for Best Actor (2010, 2019, 2024 Raayan)
  • "Why This Kolaveri Di" (2011) — first Indian YouTube video to cross 100 million views

What the Kasthuri Raja Family Story Teaches Us

A director father. A homemaker mother. A director brother. A 17-year marriage to Rajinikanth's daughter that ended in 2024. Two sons. A career that produced 3 National Awards and a global YouTube hit.

For every family — large or small, famous or otherwise — the Dhanush story carries the same lesson. Some marriages combine two of Tamil cinema's most-famous families and then end.

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