Dhananjay, who proved his mettle as hero, often plays characters with negative shades. Case in point, Daali in Tagaru. With the audience accepting him for his baddie turn, he is now portraying a character  named Mitayi Suri in Darshan-starrer Yajamana.

Incidentally he will be playing a character with negative shades in Dhruva Sarja’s Pogaru and Puneeth Rajkumar's Yuvarathnaa too. In addition, he has Suri Popcorn Monkey Tiger and Daali, which stars him in the lead. The actor also features in a pivotal role in Vijayaprasad’s directorial, Totapuri.

“I am an actor first and then a hero or villain,” says Dhananjay, who is happy that his baddie image is gaining him traction. “Whether hero or villain, the whistles and claps are coming in from people for the characters I play. This makes all the difference. Ultimately, the connect I make with the audience is what matters,” adds the actor, who is glad that he is not being typecast. “No director has come and told me that only a particular character suits me. I have been getting varied roles. In a way, it is helping me understand my strengths better.”

Playing villainous roles, Dhananjay has realised that it is not about screen space but the impact he makes with his characters. “I am not the baddie who just wants to get beaten up. I don’t accept such roles. As a villain, even I need to do some work. There should be some characterisation,” he says, adding that he has ‘become more human’ after playing villainous roles. “I am more clear in my head, and I more sensitive.”