People find pleasure in hating someone. I think it's the beginning of kali. If someone has betrayed you, it's understandable that you hate them. But hating someone you don't even know... that's something I will never understand.
— Dhanush
I made shorts films, learning the dos and don'ts. Most importantly, I've been editing all these short films. Nothing can teach you filmmaking like editing can.
While I do not believe in idol worship, I believe in energy.
My dream is to become a director. I want to direct a Hindi film. I have two scripts ready. One of them is a fantasy-adventure, while the other is a thriller. I've assisted my brother Selvaraghavan, who's a well-known director in Tamil cinema. I've also made short films.
The screenplay has to be gripping. That's when the film will work. Then, I see how much I can relate to the character I'm playing.
I come from a very humble background. My father had to work really hard to become an assistant director. For a large part of his youth, he worked in a mill and took up odd jobs to make ends meet. We lived in a small room and could only afford a meal a day.
I've always known that I'm very, very ordinary looking. But I'm not alien looking. I am an artist here to play characters.
Many people find their calling very early in their lives. These are the kind of people we read about in school books and newspapers. Then there are some who don't have a clue of what they want to do in their lives; I am belong to the latter category.
I have no clue as to where my interest and love for music came from. In fact, I have never learnt any music either, though I wish that I could just close my eyes and play the piano - that is my most cherished desire.
Definition of love differs for different humans. If I will talk about me then its something that makes you forget about everything else.
You can't always expect to work with a director who guarantees success.
I had to fight; I had to fall, and I had to get hurt to be where I am.
If there is no music, I will perish. While I have not learnt music, I can play the tune that comes into my head on the keyboard.
My mother is most attached to my brother because she has the feeling that she could not provide him anything. By the time I was born, at least I got a meal and a half a day, but he sometimes got only water.
I'm going to be quite choosy about singing. If I connect to a tune and like what I am offered to sing, I'll do it. I am an actor by profession, not a singer.
A villain can be stylish, and his actions don't have to be explained. Heroes are boring in comparison, even anti-heroes, as there's always a justification for their bad actions.
I took up acting upon the insistence of my filmmaker father, Kasthuri Raja. But I am glad for it: sometimes one identifies one's calling; sometimes it singles one out.
I think it is not easy to impress a girl, especially with the looks that I have. It is quite tough.
I get emotionally attached with every film I do, and that stops me from being critical. I can't fight my emotions.
Music is my breath, blood and food - without music I would perish; the actor in me would die.
If I was not an actor, I would have been working in a five star hotel as a chef.
Every man plays many roles. So far, I have played father the best.
When 'stuff' hits the fan, it has a way of making you stronger.
Ilaiyaraaja is my most favourite music director. His music was my lullaby, his music was my food, his music was my childhood, his music was my first love, his music was my failure, his music was my first kiss, my first love failure, my success... he is in my blood.
I don't mind acting in Hindi films, but the script has to suit me. It has to be a boy-next-door role because that's the image I have in Tamil cinema.
I've improved as an actor, thanks to my wonderful directors. As a person, I've changed, too; I was 16 when I did 'Thullavatho Ilamai,' and I'm 32 now. With age, I've sobered down. I'm calmer; I can see things more clearly now.
I suffer from stage fright, so I blabber on stage and stop midway through my performances. I cannot even write a cheque, as it makes me nervous. Being around people makes me nervous. But I'm very comfortable in front of the camera, and this I realised many films later.
I don't know why, but rain comes into my head the minute I think of my childhood.
Trust me, it has been anything but easy to make it as an actor.
I have played so many romantic roles that I don't know if I am really a romantic in real life. I get confused about the real me.
Unfortunately, I can only act; I do not have the looks, but I am very happy with what God has given me.
There is no such thing as a Bollywood hero or Hollywood hero. All you see on the screen is the lead actor's interpretation of the role that has been conceived by the writer.
