Kollywood icon Dhanush and Aishwaryaa Rajinikanth have officially finalized their divorce.
As reported by Sun TV, the Chennai Family Welfare Court has granted the divorce on Wednesday, November 27 after the couple expressed that they could no longer continue living together. Despite the separation, they have agreed to jointly raise their two sons, Linga and Yatra.
Dhanush: A Multi-Talented Star of Indian Cinema
Venkatesh Prabhu Kasthuri Raja, born on July 28, 1983, is widely known by his stage name, Dhanush. He is an acclaimed Indian actor, filmmaker, lyricist, and playback singer who predominantly works in Tamil cinema. Over the course of his career, Dhanush has appeared in more than 50 films, earning several accolades, including four National Film Awards (two as an actor and two as a producer), fourteen SIIMA Awards, eight Filmfare Awards South, and a Filmfare Award. He is one of the highest-paid actors in Indian cinema and has been featured on the Forbes India Celebrity 100 list six times.
Dhanush made his acting debut in the 2002 Tamil film Thulluvadho Ilamai, a coming-of-age drama directed by his father, Kasthuri Raja. Although his early career included a mix of successes and struggles, it was his performances in films like Polladhavan (2007) and Yaaradi Nee Mohini (2008) that marked a turning point in his career. These films cemented his status as a popular star in Tamil cinema.
In 2010, Dhanush starred in Aadukalam, a film that won him the National Film Award for Best Actor as well as the Filmfare Award for Best Actor – Tamil.
However, it wasn’t just his acting that brought him fame—“Why This Kolaveri Di”, the song from the 2012 film 3, became a cultural phenomenon. The song went viral, becoming the first Indian music video to cross 100 million views on YouTube, further establishing Dhanush as a multi-faceted entertainer.
In 2013, Dhanush made his Bollywood debut in Aanand L. Rai’s Raanjhanaa, where he played the role of an obsessive, one-sided lover. His performance was widely praised, earning him the Filmfare Award for Best Male Debut as well as a nomination for the Filmfare Award for Best Actor.
Dhanush also ventured into film production with his company Wunderbar Films, and in 2017, he made his directorial debut with Pa Paandi, which received positive reviews.
His song “Rowdy Baby” from the 2018 film Maari 2 became one of the most-viewed Indian songs of all time. It made history as the first South Indian video song to reach 1.5 billion views on YouTube.
In 2019, Dhanush won his second National Film Award for Best Actor for his powerful performance in Asuran, further solidifying his place as one of the most versatile actors in Indian cinema. and the succesful career not just in kollywood, bollywood he is in hollywood too ..
Aishwarya Rajinikanth: A Multifaceted Talent in Indian Cinema
Aishwarya Rajinikanth, born on January 1, 1982, is an Indian film director, playback singer, and philanthropist who primarily works in Tamil cinema. She is the elder daughter of the legendary actor Rajinikanth and playback singer Latha Rajinikanth. Aishwarya has a younger sister, Soundarya, who is also involved in the film industry.
Aishwarya began her career in the Tamil film industry as a playback singer in 2000. She made her singing debut alongside actor and composer Silambarasan in 2003, which helped her gain recognition in the industry. Her melodious voice became a distinctive part of several soundtracks.
In 2011, Aishwarya ventured into film direction with her debut feature film, ‘3’, which starred her husband, actor Dhanush. The film created a lot of buzz before its release, primarily due to the viral success of the song “Why This Kolaveri Di,” which became an internet sensation. The song’s global popularity helped fuel the anticipation for the film, and it was a major factor in the film’s success.
In addition to her work as a director and singer, Aishwarya is also known for her efforts in the digital space. In July 2015, she launched her YouTube channel called ‘Ten Entertainment,” which aimed to promote content related to entertainment, lifestyle, and music.
Aishwarya’s contributions to television include being a judge on the popular dance competition show Jodi Number One on STAR Vijay. She also worked as an assistant director on the film Aayirathil Oruvan (2010), and contributed the song “Un Mela Aasadhan” to the soundtrack.
Her philanthropic work is equally notable. In August 2016, Aishwarya was appointed as India’s Goodwill Ambassador for UN Women, where she advocated for women’s rights and empowerment.
Aishwarya continued her career in Kollywood with the film Vai Raja Vai (2015) and directed the much-awaited ‘Lal Salam’ in 2024, showcasing her evolving expertise in filmmaking.
Aishwaryaa and Dhanush: A Beautiful Love Story
Aishwaryaa Rajinikanth and Dhanush‘s love story began in 2003 when Aishwaryaa watched Dhanush’s film ‘Kadhal Konden’ in a theater. At the time, Dhanush was also present in the audience. Impressed by his performance, Aishwaryaa sent him flowers the very next day as a gesture of appreciation. Dhanush, in turn, called her to thank her for the thoughtful gesture, and that marked the beginning of their love story.
In interviews, both Aishwaryaa and Dhanush have shared that as time passed, they didn’t even realize they were falling in love. Dhanush has often spoken fondly of Aishwaryaa’s simplicity. He once stated that she was “100 times simpler than her father Rajinikanth.” According to him, Aishwaryaa treats everyone equally, making friends with everyone she meets.
Dhanush has also praised his wife for her role as a mother, saying that Aishwaryaa has been an exceptional mother to their two sons, raising them with love and care. Their mutual respect and admiration for each other continue to shine through, making their relationship one of the most admired in the industry.
Aishwaryaa and Dhanush: A New Chapter After 18 Years Together
Aishwaryaa Rajinikanth and Dhanush tied the knot in 2004 in a grand wedding ceremony in Chennai, marking the beginning of their journey as a couple. Over the years, they shared many cherished moments as friends, partners, and parents to their two sons.
However, after 18 years of togetherness, the couple made the difficult decision to part ways. They had first announced their separation in January 2022 after 18 years of marriage, which had taken the entire industry along with their fans by shock. In a joint statement, they shared their decision, which read:
“18 years of togetherness as friends, as a couple, as parents, and as well-wishers to each other. The journey has been one of growth, understanding, adjusting, and adapting. Today, we stand at a place where our paths separate. Aishwaryaa/Dhanush and I have decided to part ways as a couple and take time to understand ourselves as individuals for the better. Please respect our decision and give us the privacy we need to deal with this.”
On November 21, both Dhanush and Aishwaryaa appeared before a family court in Chennai, where they expressed their inability to continue living together. The judge presided over the case and adjourned the hearing to November 27, when the final verdict was expected.They will continue to co-parent their sons Linga and Yatra.