Venkatesh Prabhu Kasthuri Raja, known professionally as Dhanush, is an Indian actor, filmmaker, lyricist and playback singer who primarily works in Tamil cinema. Having starred in 50 films over his career, his accolades include four National Film Awards, fourteen SIIMA Awards, eight Filmfare Awards South and a Filmfare Award. One of the highest paid actors in Tamil cinema, he has been included in the Forbes India Celebrity 100 list six times.