The boy who made it to the world of men

Boys don’t often do well in a world of men. Yes, there are exceptions. Sachin Tendulkar was a boy of 16 when he debuted in Test cricket, a game considered fit for people who had seen a good number of years more. Most people don’t respond well when thrown at the deep end at a young age, the ones who do respond well, make a mark. Cinema is a world of men, being a star is not child’s play and those who cannot handle it; well, crash down before they know what has happened. That’s why

cinema has many one-film wonders and prodigal talents never to be seen again. It is a rare breed that hangs on, makes their early success count and translates it into something more lasting. They show the strength to remain on their feet in the first flush of success, the resolve to keep going when hit by the first shot of failure and the mileage to go the distance. Let’s wish Dhanush on his birthday.

When he made his debut in Thulluvadho Ilamai he was a boy, just like any school going adolescent you would find in your neighborhood. He was an antithesis to what a hero should look like - lean, average height, dark and a ruffled hairstyle. There were many who were wondering what this kid was doing in cinema and thought he would disappear without a trace. It was easy to think thus, because we have seen many before who have disappeared. But Dhanush thought different, he chose different and stood out. What he did in Kadhal Kondein, few have done in Tamil cinema, and people were beginning to notice that behind the pretty ordinary looks is a person who can act. Then came the all out entertainer, Thiruda Thirudi and Dhanush was a rage all over Tamil Nadu. Very easy for a man of his age to be swept away and briefly it did look as if he had lost his way after being blinded by the brilliant lights of stardom. His films started to look a bit overdone with heroism, was there a trace of self-indulgence - some doubted. We don’t know what went wrong and why, maybe it was just a case of wrong choices of an inexperienced mind. Again, there was a temptation to write him off as a three-film wonder.

But this is where he showed his real character; he dug deep, worked harder and made choices that were different. He tried, at times he tripped and fell, but still kept walking. Importantly, people who at first had refused to count him as a frontline hero were taking him seriously, he was here to stay. His attempts at comedy, maybe not hugely successful, showed that he was flexible and willing to experiment - Thiruvilaiyaadal Aarambam was a turning point. Dhanush was finding stable ground, his determination had seen him through the tough phase and he had arrived, no longer a boy, a man. Pudhuppettai proved that he could even carry off a gangster role with gumption; his physique was never an issue.

The last year or so has been wonderful for him. Parattai was a bit of a let down after the high of Thiruvilaiyaadal. But the subsequent Polladhavan further cemented his spot as the promising gen-next of Kollywood. Now, Yaaradi Nee Mohini has made him dear to family audiences. Better things await Dhanush.

Dhanush has been around for about seven years now. His journey in filmdom has been one of bright phases alternating with the dark ones. The darkness would have scared away many young and new faces but he stuck through the difficult times and emerged stronger. The boy who was introduced to us in Thulluvadho Ilamai has found his place in the world of men and we know that he is here to stay. Happy birthday!