Undoubtedly, Dhanush is an extraordinary performer known for his works in Kollywood, Bollywood, and Hollywood. From acting as a school student to a mute aspiring actor, he excels in his work and never fails to amaze the audience. In this article, we have formulated the top 10 best movies of Dhanush based on box office collection, IMDB rating, people’s choice, and many others. As an added bonus, we have collected all the details about the movies on this list so that you can know why and where to watch them.
10. Yaaradi Nee Mohini
Yaaradi Nee Mohini is one of the best family movies directed by debutant Jawahar. It is a remake of his guru Selvaraghavan’s blockbuster Telugu movie Adavari Matalaku Ardhalu Verule. It is considered the most suggested and successful Tamil movie of the year 2008.
Director: Mithran Jawahar
Actors: Dhanush, Nayanthara, and Raghuvaran
Music Director: Yuvan Shankar Raja, D Imman, Dharan Kumar
Release Date: April 4, 2008
Synopsis: Vasu is an ordinary man who falls in love with his boss, Keerthi. When he expresses his love, she rejects it. The following scenarios are the causes and effects of his declined love proposal.
OTT Platform: ZEE5
Budget: 12 Crores
Box Office: 21 Crores
IMDB Rating: 7.3/10
9. 3
3 is a page-turner in Dhanush and his ex-wife, Aishwarya Rajinikanth’s life. Mixed with several controversies, the film received overall positive reviews from the critics. Eventhough timing and logic are lacking in a few scenes, the film did a great job in collection vice. It also attracted teenagers from all over the state because of the film’s first half, as it revolves around school.
Director: Aishwarya Rajinikanth
Actors: Dhanush, Shruti Haasan, Sivakarthikeyan, and Prabhu
Music Director: Anirudh Ravichander
Release Date: March 30, 2012
Synopsis: Ram and Janani have been in love since high school. After a few years into their marriage, Ram suddenly commits suicide. What happened to him is the main crux.
OTT Platform: Sun NXT
Budget: 29 Crores
Box Office: 45 Crores
IMDB Rating: 7.4/10
8. Raanjhanaa
Dhanush made his Bollywood debut with Raanjhanaa. Its wide spectrum of emotions created several memorable moments among the audience. During the movie’s re-release, the makers announced the sequel and titled it as Tere Ishk Mein, which is set to be released in 2024.
Director: Aanand L. Rai
Actors: Dhanush, Sonam Kapoor, Abhay Deol
Music Director: AR Rahman
Release Date: June 21, 2013
Synopsis: Kundan is the son of a local Hindu pandit who is secretly in love with Zoya, his childhood crush. But she is in love with someone else, and his attempts to win her back are the main crux.
OTT Platform: JioCinema
Budget: 25 Crores
Box Office: 104 Crores
IMDB Rating: 7.6/10
7. Polladhavan
Polladhavan is an intense action drama that also shows the bond between a bike and a human. Dhanush’s performance in the climax portion reminds Bruce Lee. It is the first collaboration of Dhanush and Vetrimaaran.
Director: Vetrimaaran
Actors: Dhanush, Ramya, Late Daniel Balaji, and Kishore
Music Director: GV Prakash Kumar, Dhina, Yogi B
Release Date: November 8, 2007
Synopsis: The film is about a young man, Prabhu, who is in love with his bikes. When it went missing, problems with several faces started knocking on his face.
OTT Platform: ZEE5
Budget: 10 Crores
Box Office: 17 Crores
IMDB Rating: 7.7/10
6. Velaiyilla Pattathari
Velaiyilla Pattathari is one of the blockbuster Tamil films of 2014. The scene about the unemployed engineers and their routine in everyday life really attracted a multitude of audiences. The movie’s songs also played a major role in the film’s success.
Director: Velraj
Actors: Dhanush, Amala Paul, Vivek, Samuthirakani, and Surbhi
Music Director: Anirudh Ravichander
Release Date: July 18, 2014
Synopsis: Raghuvaran, an unemployed civil engineer, lives a meaningless life until his mother’s death. After this, he took life more seriously and did great things in his mother’s honor.
OTT Platform: Disney+ Hotstar
Budget: 10 Crores
Box Office: 95 Crores
IMDB Rating: 7.8/10
5. Kaadhal Kondein
It is Dhanush’s second film, directed by his brother Selvaraghavan. It is a unique story that ran in theaters for more than 150 days and is a masterpiece in Selvaraghavan’s film Arsenal.
Director: Selvaraghavan
Actors: Dhanush, Sonia Agarwal, Sudeep Sarangi, and Nagesh
Music Director: Yuvan Shankar Raja
Release Date: July 4, 2003
Synopsis: Vinod is a college student who has been abused mentally and physically since childhood. The story shows how he turned into a psychopath to be with the girl he loves secretly.
OTT Platform: Sun NXT
Budget: 4 Crores
Box Office: 7 Crores
IMDB Rating: 8/10
4. Karnan
Karnan is one of the best action dramas ever in Kollywood. It had a huge impact on the audience’s perspective on religion and caste.
Director: Mari Selvaraj
Actors: Dhanush, Lal, Rajisha Vijayan, Yogi Babu, Natarajan Subramaniam
Music Director: Santhosh Narayanan
Release Date: April 9, 2021
Synopsis: Karnan is a fearless youngster who goes above and beyond to protect his village people, even if it means losing his dreams and passion.
OTT Platform: Prime Video
Budget: 40 Crores
Box Office: 98 Crores
IMDB Rating: 8/10
3. Aadukalam
Aadukalam is Vetrimaran’s one of the best jaw-dropping films. It gained the attention of the audience for its songs and the amazing fight scenes of cockfights. The mystery scenes kept the audience engaged the whole time.
Director: Vetrimaran
Actors: Dhanush, Tapsee Pannu, Kishore, VIS Jayapalan, Naren
Music Director: GV Prakash Kumar
Release Date: January 14, 2011
Synopsis: Karuppu is a challenging young man who refuses to obey his boss in a rooster fight. His triumph, love, loss, and betrayal are the main crux.
OTT Platform: Sun NXT
Budget: 18 Crores
Box Office: 30 Crores
IMDB Rating: 8.1/10
2. Asuran
Asuran is another blockbuster hit in Vetrimaaran and Dhanush’s combo. Dhanush gave a unique performance that received praise from critics as well as the regular audience. It was also remade in Telugu as Narappa, starring Venkatesh in the lead role.
Director: Vetrimaran
Actors: Dhanush, Manju Warrier, Ken Karunas, Teejay Arunasalam
Music Director: GV Prakash Kumar
Release Date: October 4, 2019
Synopsis: A farmer from an underprivileged caste goes above and beyond to protect his youngest son, who killed an upper cast rich guy.
OTT Platform: Prime Video
Budget: 73 Crores
Box Office: 153 Crores
IMDB Rating: 8.4/10
1. Vada Chennai
It is truly a fascinating crime drama with several twists and turns. Dhanush’s role in two different decades really thrilled the audience. As topping on the ice, a climax twist of Andrea being the real villain won several people’s hearts.
Director: Vetrimaran
Actors: Dhanush, Andrea Jeremiah, Aishwarya Rajesh, and Daniel Balaji
Music Director: Santhosh Narayanan
Release Date: October 17, 2018
Synopsis: Anbu is a young carrom player who gets in the crossfire of gangsters’ war to control North Chennai.
OTT Platform: Prime Video
Budget: 66 Crores
Box Office: 120 Crores
IMDB Rating: 8.4/10
