Dhananjaya (actor) explained
Kalenahalli Adaviswamy Dhananjaya (born 23 August 1985), also known as Daali, is an Indian actor, lyricist and film producer known for his work in Kannada cinema. He has won three Filmfare Awards and four SIIMA Awards for his performances in various films.
Dhananjaya made his acting debut in Director's Special (2013) for which he won the best debut actor award at the 3rd SIIMA Awards.[1] He was critically acclaimed for playing the role of Allama Prabhu in Allama (2017). He turned producer through the film, Badava Rascal.[2] Dhananjaya got the major breakthrough in the film Tagaru (2018) directed by Duniya Soori for his performance as a menacing villain. He is now popularly addressed as "Daali" - the character name in the film.[3] Dhananjaya has also played roles in films in other languages such as Telugu[4] and Tamil.
Early life and family
Dhananjaya was born on 23 August 1985.[5] Dhananjaya excelled in studies and had secured top marks for the whole of Hassan District once when he was in 7th standard and then again in 10th standard.[6] He says he grew up watching Dr. Rajkumar movies and hence he started acting in dramas, mono-acting competitions and street plays while he was still in school.[7]
Dhananjaya then moved to Mysore for higher studies and having completed his PUC in Marimallappa College, he secured an engineering seat in one of the reputed engineering colleges in Mysore, SJCE.[8] [9] He even got a job in a software company, Infosys. However, he started taking acting more seriously and joined an amateur theatre group called GPIER which was headed and mentored by a senior Rangayana artist named Mime Ramesh. He was also recognized and mentored by Germany theatre artist Christian Stückl in Germany.[10] [11] During one of his performances in a drama, he was recognised by popular Kannada director Guruprasad and was offered a lead role in a feature film. Thus began his career in Sandalwood.
Film career
Early years (2013–2018)
Dhananjaya appeared in a Kannada short film on YouTube called Jayanagar 4th Block which has over 2.5 million views as of 2022.[12] Dhananjaya was offered a lead role in Guruprasad's feature film Director's Special.[13] The film took three years in the making and was finally released in 2013 to mixed and negative responses at the box office. Dhananjaya was lauded for his performance and won the best debut actor award at the 3rd SIIMA Awards for the same. Many prominent filmmakers approached him for the roles in their films. He was then cast in A. P. Arjun's next film Rhaatee opposite Shruthi Hariharan under musician V. Harikrishna's debut production. His next was Preetham Gubbi's film Boxer, produced under Jayanna Films banner, which brought him wide accolades. He was known for his fit boxer's body, which he had achieved by rigorous training.[14] [15] He was then offered a role by National award-winning director T. S. Nagabharana for the film Allama which is based on the life of 12th century saint poet Allama Prabhu. Dhananjaya underwent harsh training to master the musical instrument Mridanga and also the classical dance for the role and received great reviews for his performance. Although his movies did not make a big impact on the box office collection, he constantly received good reviews from the audience and critics for his acting skills.
Daali and success (2018–present)
His biggest breakthrough came when he was offered a negative role named "'Daali" opposite Shiva Rajkumar In Tagaru directed by Duniya Suri. Director Suri has shared that he was a bit hesitant to offer negative role to Dhananjaya as he was always playing good deed doing lead (or hero) roles in his previous movies and was pleasantly surprised when he accepted the offer.[16] The film opened with very good reviews and was declared a huge hit in terms of box office collection. Dhananjaya's acting as a menacing villain won him accolades across the film fraternity, critics and the audience.[17] [18] The role earned him nicknames such as "Nataraakshasa", "Nata bhayanakara", "Daali" etc. He is currently one of the most sought-after actors who is seen as a capable lead to play both antagonist and protagonist roles. After this movie, he has played many roles with leading actors in the Kannada film industry such as Darshan in Yajamana, Puneeth Rajkumar in Yuvarathna and Duniya Vijay in Salaga as well as paving the way to receive offers for films in other languages.[19]
He then starred in the film Rathnan Prapancha directed by Rohit Padaki and produced by KRG Studios which was their maiden production venture. The film had a direct OTT Release on Amazon prime and received positive reviews and deemed a blockbuster.[20] [21]
Production and other work
Riding on the success of his acting career in Sandalwood, Dhananjaya has set up his own production house Daali Pictures named after his popular character Daali.[22] Badava Rascal - A Kannada film, marked Dhananjaya's entry into the journey as a producer under his home banner.[23] The film directed by Debutant Shankar Guru opened to positive to mixed reviews but became a sleeper hit at the box office.[24] [25] [26] His next production venture was named Head Bush directed by Debutant Shoonya and story by Agni Shridhar under his home banner Daali Pictures.[27] The film based on the life-story of Bangalore's infamous underworld don - Jayaraj.[28] The film opened to mixed reviews and fared averagely at the box office and attracted controversy over the Veeragase scene in the movie.[29] [30] [31] His third production was Tagarupalya, a rural comedy drama movie directed by Debutant Umesh Krupa, starring Nagabushana, Debutante Amrutha Prem, Rangayana Raghu and others. The movie opened to positive to mixed reviews and performed decently at the box office.[32] [33]
Dhananjaya has also penned for songs in movies that he has starred in as well as other indie films.[34] The Kannada film Orchestra Mysuru- a first production venture by musician Raghu Dixit being one of his first as a lyricist in Kannada film industry.[35] [36] He has also written multiple songs for his production movies Badava Rascal, Head Bush, Tagru Palya among which many of them were a huge hit.[37]
He also penned few lines for the movie Daredevil Mustafa which went to feature in the Karnataka State Budget for the year 2024.[38] [39] Dhananjaya often writes columns in Kannada newspapers choosing topics such as social issues and human values.[40] [41]
Filmography
All films are in Kannada unless noted otherwise.
As actor
As lyricist
As producer (Daali Pictures)
As a presenter
Awards
External links
Notes and References
- Web site: SIIMA 2013 winners list. SIIMA Official Site. 7 August 2021. 26 March 2023. https://web.archive.org/web/20230326122457/http://siima.in/2013/winners.html. dead.
- Web site: Dhananjay's Badava Rascal to wrap up with climax and song sequence . The New Indian Express . 7 October 2020 . 29 November 2021.
- News: People already call Dhananjaya, Daali. Times of India. 21 February 2018 .
- Web site: Bhairava Geetha Telugu Movie Review. 2018-12-14. 123telugu.com. en. 2018-12-17.
- Web site: Team 'Ratnan Prapancha' passes on birthday wishes to Dhananjaya in its own quirky style . The Times of India . 29 November 2021 . en . 23 August 2021.
- News: April 2, 2018. SSLC Topper Dhananjay. Public TV. August 18, 2021.
- News: 24 Jul 2020. Dhananjaya childhood picture. Vijay Karnataka. 18 August 2021.
- News: Apr 9, 2013. Techie turned Actor. DNA India. 18 August 2021.
- News: Actor Dhananjaya turns boxer. 2021-08-18. The Times of India. 24 July 2014 . en.
- News: Dhananjay took acting lessons in Germany. 2021-08-18. The Times of India. 10 September 2014 . en.
- Web site: Dhananjay's going back to his theatre roots!. 2021-08-19. The New Indian Express. 3 May 2017 .
- Web site: Jayanagar 4th Block (a kannada short film) - YouTube . .
- http://www.dnaindia.com/bangalore/report-software-to-sandalwood-a-techies-dream-come-true-1820385 Software to Sandalwood: A techie's dream come true
- http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/kannada/movies/news/Actor-Dhananjaya-turns-boxer/articleshow/38962193.cms Actor Dhananjaya turns boxer
- Web site: Preetham and Dhananjaya to team up for Boxer . 13 April 2015 . 17 November 2015 . https://web.archive.org/web/20151117030208/http://www.newindianexpress.com/entertainment/kannada/Preetham-and-Dhananjay-to-team-up-for-Boxer/2014/07/24/article2346460.ece . dead .
- Web site: Dhananjay accepted Taguru's villain role while on treadmill- The New Indian Express. https://web.archive.org/web/20210819095456/http://cms.newindianexpress.com/entertainment/kannada/2018/feb/19/dhananjay-accepted-tagurus-villain-role-while-on-treadmill-1775315.html. dead. 19 August 2021. 2021-08-19. cms.newindianexpress.com.
- Web site: Tagaru review: Shivrajkumar's gangsta flick fall into the 'classics' category, Suri style. 2021-08-19. The New Indian Express. 24 February 2018 .
- Web site: Blockbuster Tagaru's remake rights sold to director Muthaiah. 2021-08-19. The New Indian Express. 24 October 2018 .
- Web site: 2020-12-12. Dhananjaya signs films in multiple south Indian languages. 2021-08-19. The News Minute. en.
- News: Rathnan Prapancha Review : Rathna's story is a winner all the way . 2024-04-23 . The Times of India . 0971-8257.
- Web site: V,DHNS . Vivek M. . How smart planning made 'Rathnan Prapancha' an OTT hit . 2024-04-23 . Deccan Herald . en.
- Web site: NewsKarnataka. Dhananjay turns producer with 'Badava Rascal'. 2021-08-19. NewsKarnataka. 23 August 2019. en.
- Web site: Dhananjay's first production venture 'Badava Rascal' to release on September 24. 2021-08-19. The New Indian Express. 24 July 2021 .
- Web site: 2021-07-24. Actor Dhananjaya announces release date of 'Badava Rascal'. 2021-08-19. The News Minute. en.
- News: Badava Rascal Movie Review : Dhananjaya continues his golden run . 2024-04-23 . The Times of India . 0971-8257.
- Web site: govindaraj.s . Badava Rascal Box Office Collection: 16 ಕೋಟಿ ಬಾಚಿಕೊಂಡ ಡಾಲಿ ಸಿನಿಮಾ! . 2024-04-23 . Asianet News Network Pvt Ltd . kn.
- Web site: Dhananjay takes over the production of Head Bush. 2021-08-19. The New Indian Express. 4 August 2021 .
- News: Head Bush shoot to begin from August 9. 2021-08-19. The Times of India. 4 August 2021 . en.
- Web site: 2022-10-27 . Dhananjaya's Head Bush lands in controversy for hurting religious sentiments. All you need to know . 2024-04-23 . India Today . en.
- Web site: Shuklaji . 2022-10-21 . Head Bush review: Dhananjaya's charisma cannot save this sinking ship . 2024-04-23 . The News Minute . en.
- Web site: Head Bush: Will Dhananjaya make another instalment given first one's average box office performance? . 2024-04-23 . OTTPlay . en.
- Web site: Venugopal . Sonu . 2023-11-07 . Dhananjaya is The Reason Why 'Tagaru Palya' Has Reached This Stage: Umesh K Krupa . 2024-04-23 . www.filmcompanion.in . en.
- News: M.V . Vivek . 2023-10-27 . 'Tagaru Palya' movie review: An old-fashioned village drama with a few laughs . 2024-04-23 . The Hindu . en-IN . 0971-751X.
- Web site: Dhananjay turns lyricist for Hariprriya's D/o Parvathamma. 2021-08-19. Cinema Express. 7 May 2019 . en.
- Web site: 2018-05-11. Dhananjay writes lyrics - Kannada News. 2021-08-19. IndiaGlitz.com.
- Web site: Lyrics are not things that can be bought over-the-counter: Dhananjay. 2021-08-19. The New Indian Express. 7 May 2018 .
- Web site: R. Sumit. Daali Dhananjay's Udupi Hotelu Song From Badava Rascal Is A Hit - Kanlish News : Karnataka - Latest Kannada Breaking News Today, Headlines, Movies, Fashion, Political, Sports News And Entertainment Channel. 2021-08-19. en-US.
- Web site: Kannada . TV9 . 2024-02-16 . ಬಜೆಟ್ ನಲ್ಲಿ ಡಾಲಿ ಸಾಹಿತ್ಯ; 'ಡೇರ್ ಡೆವಿಲ್ ಮುಸ್ತಾಫಾ' ಚಿತ್ರದ ಸಾಲು ಓದಿದ ಸಿಎಂ . 2024-04-23 . TV9 Kannada . kn.
- Web site: Kotagunasi . Manjunath B. . ಬಜೆಟ್ನಲ್ಲಿ ಡೇರ್ಡೆವಿಲ್ ಮುಸ್ತಾಫಾ ಚಿತ್ರದ ಹಾಡಿನ ಮೋಡಿ; ಡಾಲಿ ಧನಂಜಯ್ ಬರೆದ ಸಾಹಿತ್ಯ ಓದಿದ ಸಿಎಂ . 2024-04-23 . Kannada Hindustan Times . kn.
- News: ಮಾಡುವ ನೀಡುವ ಕಾಯುವ ನಿಜಗುಣವಿದ್ದೆಡೆ.. Vijayavaani. 20 August 2021.
- Web site: ನಮ್ಮೊಳಗಿನ ಶಿವ. 2021-08-20. Vijaya Karnataka. kn.
- http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/bengaluru/Jayanagar-IV-Block-comes-alive-in-film/articleshow/21028769.cms Jayanagar IV Block comes alive in film
- Web site: 2016-03-22. 'This Will Be A First For Kannada Cinema': Pawan Wadeyar About 'Jessie'. 2021-08-18. Desimartini. en.
- Web site: 'Badmaash will mirror politics'- The New Indian Express. 2021-08-18. cms.newindianexpress.com. 18 August 2021. https://web.archive.org/web/20210818145156/http://cms.newindianexpress.com/entertainment/kannada/2016/nov/15/badmaash-will-mirror-politics-actor-dhananjay-1538953.html. dead.
- Web site: 2017-01-27. A perfect contrast. 2021-08-18. Deccan Herald. en.
- Web site: Dhananjay's Eradane Sala with Mentor. 2021-08-18. The New Indian Express. 27 May 2015 .
- Web site: SM. Shashiprasad. 2017-03-04. Eradanesala movie review: Love is where the Mother is. 2021-08-18. Deccan Chronicle. en.
- Web site: Dhananjay back with negative shades as Daali. 2019-08-24. Cinema Express. 7 February 2019 .
- Web site: S.M. SHASHIPRASAD. 2019-03-01. Yajamana movie review: It's a fan-tastic action thriller. 2021-08-18. Deccan Chronicle. en.
- Web site: Daali goes bald for 'Suri Popcorn Monkey Tiger'. 2019-08-24. The New Indian Express. 30 March 2019 .
- Web site: Dhananjay: I am an actor first and then a hero or villain. 2019-08-24. Cinema Express. 26 February 2019 .
- Web site: 2019-02-13. ಪುನೀತ್ 'ಯುವರತ್ನ' ಚಿತ್ರಕ್ಕೆ ಡಾಲಿ ಧನಂಜಯ್ ಎಂಟ್ರಿ. 2019-08-24. Vijaya Karnataka. kn.
- News: Duniya Vijay-Dhananjaya in Salaga. 2019-08-24. The Times of India. 8 May 2019 . en.
- Web site: Dhananjay to headline Rohith Padaki's Rathnan Prapancha Cinemaexpress. 2020-08-01. Cinema Express. 9 July 2020 .
- Web site: Pushpa: Kannada star Dhananjay to play a crucial role in Allu Arjun's film. 2020-08-01. India Today. 17 April 2020 . en.
- Web site: The first look of Dhananjaya starrer Twenty One Hours released online . The Times of India . 29 November 2021 . en . 22 August 2021.
- News: Sharadhaa . A. . It is not good to sit idle, especially when good subjects come your way: Kannada actor Dhananjay . 29 November 2021 . The New Indian Express . 23 August 2021.
- Web site: Director Vijayaprasad is the reason I chose Totapuri: Dhananjay. 2019-08-24. Cinema Express. 23 January 2019 .
- Web site: Dhananjay to play MP Jayaraj, Bengaluru's first underworld don - The New Indian Express. 2020-08-01. www.newindianexpress.com. 2 February 2020 .
- Web site: Dhananjay, Aditi Prabhudeva to star in Once Upon a Time in Jamaaligudda . . 29 November 2021 . en . 29 November 2021.
- Web site: Orchestra Mysuru Movie Review: A long and winding tale. 14 January 2023. Bangalore Mirror. Y. Maheswara. Reddy.
- News: Dhananjay's 25th film 'Hoysala' gets a release date . 11 September 2022 . The New Indian Express . 8 September 2022.
- Web site: Paayum Oli Nee Yenakku Teaser Announcement . 2022-06-27 . Twitter . en.
- News: Features . C. E. . Vijay Antony's Mazhai Pidikkatha Manidhan clears censorship formalities . 3 August 2024 . Cinema Express . 5 June 2024 . en.
- Web site: Satyadev-Daali Dhananjaya's next titled Zebra. Cinema Express. 27 March 2023 . en . 26 January 2023.
- News: 23 August 2022 . Dhananjaya's first look in Uttarakaanda revealed . 27 March 2023 . Times of India.
- News: Kannada duo of Shankar Guru and Dhananjay team up once again for Anna from Mexico. 4 September 2023. The New Indian Express. 23 August 2023.
- News: Daali Dhananjaya As Nadaprabhu Kempegowda: First Look Of T S Nagabharana's Magnum Opus Movie Unveiled. 21 June 2024. Filmibeat. 21 June 2024.
- Web site: 2023-09-15 . Second Song Titled Suryakanthi Naanu From Kannada Film Tagaru Palya Out . 2023-10-29 . News18 . en.
- News: Nagabhushana to play lead in Tagaru Palya. 27 March 2023. Times of India. 22 November 2022.
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