Dhanush's Dil Se...

Everytime a re-run of promos of Dhoolpet, is on television, you find your attention caught by a thin young man. Unruly hair with a cap notwithstanding, he has a disarming smile and intense eyes. He may not be one of today's finest actors but he is definitely a store house of talent who is steadily building up a great body of excellent performances one film after the other. Cool, calm and collected, he sports a pensive look, introspective demeanor yet his diversity shows. Dhanush is a very simple guy who makes you feel comfy in the first meeting. There is some inherent beauty in the young man and you will realize that only when you meet him. In Dil Se...Dhanush talks about the girl who changed his life.

Y. Sunita Chowdhary

Nobody recognized me even after my first film released. It was hit film. Now I was shooting for my second film Kadal Kodein in Vizag. Everyone knows that I'm not a hero material that I am thin, dark and gawky. To make matters worse I was wearing very bad costumes for the role that day. I was sporting a stubble, glasses, wore torn clothes and I was wearing Hawaii slippers. The shooting went on for some time and I didn't have the confidence to act in public. I was severely criticized for my first film, for my bad looks, magazines ripped me off, media was very uncharitable. But somehow I was hell bent on proving them wrong. I did my homework, worked really hard.

So on one of those days on the location...on the road, the crowd ...about two hundred of them assembled to watch the shooting. One guy came upto us and asked the unit people as to who the hero was. The assistant director pointed his finger at me. He immediately broke into a huge laugh and wouldn't stop. He either wondered how I made it to the movies, honestly or he wanted to grab my attention. God knows what his intentions were. He commented to his friend, "hey look this chap is a hero, if this one is a hero then I am too, you are a hero, he is a hero, the autowallah is a hero etc." and the rest caught on. Everyone were just not amused, they found it very hilarious and they all laughed like there was no tomorrow. I wouldn't let my tears trickle down but I knew my eyes were flooding. I was on the verge of breaking down, I lost all my confidence, imagine it was my second film.

Suddenly a beautiful, a very beautiful girl came struggling and jostling out of the crowd and headed towards me. She was like a bright star that shone in the infinite darkness. Nervously I looked upto see her while she handed over a note book for me to sign. I felt as if something had completely obstructed my senses, and I couldn't help but look into her straight beautiful eyes. Suddenly, I felt calm and safe, as if my heart knew I would be alright as long as she was there. She appeared as an angel on my way. As she gave me her book, she said she had seen my first film and she liked me a lot and that she wanted to see more of my films. She added "you will do a very good job, I am a fan of yours, please gimme your autograph." I tried hard to understand why all my fear and diffidence disappeared all of a sudden. Her words echoed inside my head and stilled my heart. As for the crowd they all became silent, I couldn't even hear a whisper.

When I was uncontrollably falling down into an endless gap, she appeared reaching out her hand, encouraged me. Thanks to her I was able to rise to my feet again. Her small gesture made me feel, 'keep walking, no matter how slowly, sooner or latter I would see and feel the warmth of the sun again." The young lady left but she left a lot of goodness behind. I could sense and feel the positive vibes all over and everything around me looked different. I can never forget that day and that moment. I preserve it, i cherish it. I don't have any idols, mentor, philosopher or guide. This girl is my angel, my inspiration, my confidence and wherever she is dil se... I want to thank her. She has changed my life."

Other Dil Se.. articles:
• Khushboo
• SV Krishna Reddy
• Krishna
• Asin
• Muruga Doss
• Manodu Ram
• Peter Hein