Dhananjaya
Born
Kalenahalli Adaviswamy Dhananjaya

(1985-08-23) 23 August 1985 (age 38)
Arasikere, Kalenahalli, Karnataka, India
Other namesDaali
Alma materSri Jayachamarajendra College of Engineering
Occupations
  • Actor
  • lyricist
  • film producer
Years active2007–present

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.[8][9] 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.[9] Thus began his career in Sandalwood.

Film career

Dhananjaya with the cast and crew at the presentation of the film 'Allama', during the 47th International Film Festival of India (IFFI-2016), in Panaji, Goa on 26 November 2016.

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 after (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"[3] 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]

Producer, lyricist and a writer & Director

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.[20] Badava Rascal - A Kannada film, will be marking Dhananjaya's entry into the journey as a producer under his home banner.[21] The film has the production part and is due for release soon.[22] According to recent announcements Dhananjaya is set to produce second film named Head Bush under his home banner Daali Pictures.[23] The film based on the life-story of Bangalore's infamous underworld don - Jayaraj.[24]

Dhananjaya has also penned for songs in movies that he has starred in as well as other indie films.[25] The upcoming Kannada film named Orchestra - a first production venture by musician Raghu Dixit being one of his first as a lyricist in Kannada film industry.[26][27] He has also written multiple songs for his upcoming movie Badava Rascal among which one of them was released recently and was a huge hit.[28]

Dhananjaya often writes columns in Kannada newspapers choosing topics such as social issues and human values.[29][30]

Filmography

Key
† Denotes films that have not yet been released

All films are in Kannada unless noted otherwise.

As actor

Year Title Role Notes Ref.
2013 Director's Special Dhananjaya Debut Film
2014 Jayanagar 4th Block Himself Actor and Story-writer [31]
2015 Rhaatee Raja
Boxer Raja [14][15]
2016 Jessie Jessie [32]
Badmaash Vijay [33]
2017 Allama Allama Prabhu [34]
Eradane Sala [35]
[36]
Happy New Year RJ Danny
2018 Tagaru Daali [37][3]
Bhairava Geetha Bhairava Kannada-Telugu Bilingual Film
Life Jothe Ondh Selfie Karthik Special Appearance
2019 Yajamana Mittai Soori [38]
2020 Popcorn Monkey Tiger Tiger Seena [39]
2021 Pogaru Dhananjay [40]
Yuvarathnaa Antony Joseph [41]
Salaga Samrat [42]
Rathnan Prapancha Rathnakara [43]
Pushpa: The Rise Jaali Reddy Telugu Film [44]
Badava Rascal Shankar Also producer [45]
2022 Twenty One Hours Srikanth [46]
Bairagee Karna [45]
Monsoon Raaga Katte [45]
Totapuri: Chapter 1 Narayana Pillai [47]
Head Bush M. P. Jayaraj Also producer [48]
Once Upon a Time in Jamaligudda Krishan (Heroshima) [49]
2023 Orchestra Mysuru Shepard Cameo appearance [50]
Gurudev Hoysala Gurudev Hoysala Dhananjaya's 25th film [51]
Paayum Oli Nee Yenakku Jeevan Tamil Film [52][53]
Manu Charitra Rudra Telugu Film
Thothapuri: Chapter 2 Narayana Pillai
2024 Zebra † Adhi Filming; Telugu Film [54]
Uttarakaanda † TBA Pre-production [55][56]
Pushpa 2: The Rule † Jaali Reddy Filming; Telugu Film
Anna From Mexico † TBA Pre-production [57]

As lyricist

Year Song Movie Music Director Ref.
2021 "Udupi Hotelu" Badava Rascal Vasuki Vaibhav
2022 "Habibi Habibi" Head Bush Charan Raj
2023 "Maadappa" Orchestra Mysuru Raghu Dixit
"Sulla Chandira"
"Nadiyondu"
"Dum Idre Hodi Nanna"
"Sangeeta Sagara"
"Arey Arey"
"Idu Yeno Ondthara"
"Haaduve Naa Haaduve"
"Tagaru Palya Title Track" Tagaru Palya Vasuki Vaibhav [58]
"Suryakanthi"

As producer (Daali Pictures)

Year Title Ref.
2021 Badava Rascal
2022 Head Bush
2023 Tagaru Palya [59]

As a presenter


Awards

List of film awards and nominations
Film Title Award Category Result Ref.
Director's Special 3rd SIIMA Awards Best Male Debutant Won [60]
Allama 65th Filmfare Awards South Best Actor (Critics) Won [61]
Basavaratna Awards Best Actor Won
Tagaru Zee Kannada Hemmeya Kannadiga Award Best Supporting Actor Won
66th Filmfare Awards South Best Supporting Actor – Kannada Won [62]
8th SIIMA Awards Best Actor in a Negative Role Won [63]
Popcorn Monkey Tiger 9th SIIMA Awards Best Actor – Kannada Won [64]
Salaga 10th SIIMA Awards Best Supporting Actor – Kannada Nominated
67th Filmfare Awards South Best Supporting Actor – Kannada Nominated
Badava Rascal Best Actor – Kannada Won [65]
10th SIIMA Awards Best Actor – Kannada Nominated [66][67]
Yuvarathnaa Best Actor in a Negative Role – Kannada Nominated
not applicable Best sensation of Kannada cinema Won

References

  1. ^ "SIIMA 2013 winners list". SIIMA Official Site. Archived from the original on 26 March 2023. Retrieved 7 August 2021.
  2. ^ "Dhananjay's Badava Rascal to wrap up with climax and song sequence". The New Indian Express. Retrieved 29 November 2021.
  3. ^ a b c "People already call Dhananjaya, Daali". Times of India.
  4. ^ "Bhairava Geetha Telugu Movie Review". 123telugu.com. 14 December 2018. Retrieved 17 December 2018.
  5. ^ "Team 'Ratnan Prapancha' passes on birthday wishes to Dhananjaya in its own quirky style". The Times of India. 23 August 2021. Retrieved 29 November 2021.
  6. ^ "SSLC Topper Dhananjay". Public TV. 2 April 2018. Retrieved 18 August 2021.
  7. ^ "Dhananjaya childhood picture". Vijay Karnataka. 24 July 2020. Retrieved 18 August 2021.
  8. ^ a b "Techie turned Actor". DNA India. 9 April 2013. Retrieved 18 August 2021.
  9. ^ a b c "Actor Dhananjaya turns boxer". The Times of India. Retrieved 18 August 2021.
  10. ^ "Dhananjay took acting lessons in Germany". The Times of India. Retrieved 18 August 2021.
  11. ^ "Dhananjay's going back to his theatre roots!". The New Indian Express. Retrieved 19 August 2021.
  12. ^ "Jayanagar 4th Block ( a kannada short film ) - YouTube". YouTube.
  13. ^ Software to Sandalwood: A techie's dream come true
  14. ^ a b Actor Dhananjaya turns boxer
  15. ^ a b "Preetham and Dhananjaya to team up for Boxer". Archived from the original on 17 November 2015. Retrieved 13 April 2015.
  16. ^ "Dhananjay accepted Taguru's villain role while on treadmill- The New Indian Express". cms.newindianexpress.com. Archived from the original on 19 August 2021. Retrieved 19 August 2021.
  17. ^ "Tagaru review: Shivrajkumar's gangsta flick fall into the 'classics' category, Suri style". The New Indian Express. Retrieved 19 August 2021.
  18. ^ "Blockbuster Tagaru's remake rights sold to director Muthaiah". The New Indian Express. Retrieved 19 August 2021.
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  22. ^ "Actor Dhananjaya announces release date of 'Badava Rascal'". The News Minute. 24 July 2021. Retrieved 19 August 2021.
  23. ^ "Dhananjay takes over the production of Head Bush". The New Indian Express. Retrieved 19 August 2021.
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  28. ^ 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". Retrieved 19 August 2021.
  29. ^ "ಮಾಡುವ ನೀಡುವ ಕಾಯುವ ನಿಜಗುಣವಿದ್ದೆಡೆ". Vijayavaani. Retrieved 20 August 2021.
  30. ^ "ನಮ್ಮೊಳಗಿನ ಶಿವ". Vijaya Karnataka (in Kannada). Retrieved 20 August 2021.
  31. ^ Jayanagar IV Block comes alive in film
  32. ^ "'This Will Be A First For Kannada Cinema': Pawan Wadeyar About 'Jessie'". Desimartini. 22 March 2016. Retrieved 18 August 2021.
  33. ^ "'Badmaash will mirror politics'- The New Indian Express". cms.newindianexpress.com. Archived from the original on 18 August 2021. Retrieved 18 August 2021.
  34. ^ "A perfect contrast". Deccan Herald. 27 January 2017. Retrieved 18 August 2021.
  35. ^ "Dhananjay's Eradane Sala with Mentor". The New Indian Express. Retrieved 18 August 2021.
  36. ^ SM, Shashiprasad (4 March 2017). "Eradanesala movie review: Love is where the Mother is". Deccan Chronicle. Retrieved 18 August 2021.
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  38. ^ S.M, SHASHIPRASAD (1 March 2019). "Yajamana movie review: It's a fan-tastic action thriller". Deccan Chronicle. Retrieved 18 August 2021.
  39. ^ "Daali goes bald for 'Suri Popcorn Monkey Tiger'". The New Indian Express. Retrieved 24 August 2019.
  40. ^ "Dhananjay: I am an actor first and then a hero or villain". Cinema Express. Retrieved 24 August 2019.
  41. ^ "ಪುನೀತ್ 'ಯುವರತ್ನ' ಚಿತ್ರಕ್ಕೆ ಡಾಲಿ ಧನಂಜಯ್ ಎಂಟ್ರಿ". Vijaya Karnataka (in Kannada). 13 February 2019. Retrieved 24 August 2019.
  42. ^ "Duniya Vijay-Dhananjaya in Salaga". The Times of India. Retrieved 24 August 2019.
  43. ^ "Dhananjay to headline Rohith Padaki's Rathnan Prapancha | Cinemaexpress". Cinema Express. Retrieved 1 August 2020.
  44. ^ "Pushpa: Kannada star Dhananjay to play a crucial role in Allu Arjun's film". India Today. Retrieved 1 August 2020.
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  46. ^ "The first look of Dhananjaya starrer Twenty One Hours released online". The Times of India. 22 August 2021. Retrieved 29 November 2021.
  47. ^ "Director Vijayaprasad is the reason I chose Totapuri: Dhananjay". Cinema Express. Retrieved 24 August 2019.
  48. ^ "Dhananjay to play MP Jayaraj, Bengaluru's first underworld don - The New Indian Express". www.newindianexpress.com. Retrieved 1 August 2020.
  49. ^ "Dhananjay, Aditi Prabhudeva to star in Once Upon a Time in Jamaaligudda". Cinema Express. 29 November 2021. Retrieved 29 November 2021.
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  52. ^ "Paayum Oli Nee Yenakku Teaser Announcement". Twitter. Retrieved 27 June 2022.
  53. ^ Paayum Oli Nee Yenakku - Official Teaser | Vikram Prabhu, Vani Bhojan | Dhananjaya | Karrthik Adwait, retrieved 27 June 2022
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  57. ^ "Kannada duo of Shankar Guru and Dhananjay team up once again for Anna from Mexico". The New Indian Express. 23 August 2023. Retrieved 4 September 2023.
  58. ^ "Second Song Titled Suryakanthi Naanu From Kannada Film Tagaru Palya Out". News18. 15 September 2023. Retrieved 29 October 2023.
  59. ^ "Nagabhushana to play lead in Tagaru Palya". Times of India. 22 November 2022. Retrieved 27 March 2023.
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  66. ^ "SIIMA 2022: ಅಪ್ಪುಗೆ ಅತ್ಯುತ್ತಮ ನಟ- ಆಶಿಕಾ ರಂಗನಾಥ್‌ಗೆ ಅತ್ಯುತ್ತಮ ನಟಿ ಪ್ರಶಸ್ತಿ; ಇಲ್ಲಿದೆ ಕಂಪ್ಲೀಟ್ ಲಿಸ್ಟ್‌" [SIIMA 2022: Best Actress Award for Best Actor for Appu- Ashika Ranganath; Here's the complete list] (in Kannada). ವಿಜಯ ಕರ್ನಾಟಕ. 12 September 2022. Retrieved 14 September 2022.
  67. ^ "Allu Arjun's Pushpa: The Rise Leads SIIMA Nominations; Check Full List Here". News18. 17 August 2022. Retrieved 17 August 2022.

External links

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Dhananjay.
SIIMA Award for Best Male Débutante
Filmfare Award for Best Kannada Actor
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