As Dhanush turns 43 on Tuesday, a clipping from the actor-director's recent speech at the blood donation drive organised by his fan club is going viral on social media. The actor spoke at the camp on Friday about his recent national award win, his political aspirations, and also about his birthday, which falls on July 28.
Dhanush went about recalling the first birthday he remembers and how different his scenario was nearly three decades ago. "July 28 is, to most people, just another date on the calendar. For me, too, it was just another day for a long time. Until I was in the fourth grade, I didn't even know when my birthday was. I would watch my classmates come to school in colourful clothes on their birthdays, handing out chocolates and enjoying being the centre of attention," he started his story.
Dhanush, then Venkatesh Prabhu, was then curious about his own birthday. "One day, I asked my sister when my birthday was. She spoke to my parents and told me it was July 28. In those days, my parents could only afford to buy us new clothes for Pongal and Diwali. But my sister convinced them to get me a new outfit for my birthday. With whatever little they could save, my parents also bought me Aasai chocolates so I could share them with my friends and teachers," he explained.
He then added how it made him feel, saying, "That was the first time I went to school in coloured clothes. I handed out chocolates; everyone wished me well, and for one whole day, I was the centre of attention. It remains one of my fondest childhood memories."
Dhanush then connected it to the present day and expressed his gratitude to fans for celebrating his birthday. "As the years passed, I slowly lost interest in celebrating my birthday. But life has come full circle in the most beautiful way. Today, seeing so many of you celebrate my birthday year after year fills my heart with indescribable joy. Sometimes I wonder if you're this excited even for your own birthdays."
On the work front, Dhanush, who is working on Om: Chapter 1, has D56 with Tamilarasan Pachamuthu immediately after. He is also set to reunite with Mari Selvaraj after Karnan for a film which will feature music by AR Rahman. It was also recently announced that Dhanush and Vetri Maaran will join hands once again for Thamizh Murugan. Noted author Arivumathi will serve as the film's writer.
Some reports suggested him joining hands with PS Mithran for a film backed by Sanjay Leela Bhansali and another with Siva, which are yet to be confirmed. Also in his pipeline are his Ilaiyaraaja and APJ Abdul Kalam biopics—the production development details of which are scanty.