Aishwarya Rajinikanth
{{short description|Indian film director and playback singer (born 1982)}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=November 2024}}
{{Use Indian English|date=August 2018}}
{{Indian patronymic|Aishwarya|Rajinikanth}}
{{Infobox person
| name = Aishwarya Rajinikanth
| image = Aishwarya Dhanush at a 43rd IFFI press conference.jpg
| caption = Aishwarya in 2012
| birthname =
| birth_date = {{Birth date and age|1982|1|1|df=y}}
| birth_place = Madras (now Chennai), Tamil Nadu, India
| occupation = {{hlist|Film director|Playback singer}}
| yearsactive = 2003–present
| spouse = {{marriage|Dhanush|2004|2024|end=divorced}}
| children = 2
| father = Rajinikanth
| mother = Latha Rajinikanth
| relatives = see Rajinikanth family
}}
Aishwarya Rajinikanth{{Cite web |date=17 February 2022 |title=In Credits of Her Latest Song, Aishwarya Rajinikanth Doesn't Have Dhanush in Her Name |url=https://www.news18.com/news/movies/in-credits-of-her-latest-song-aishwarya-rajinikanth-doesnt-have-dhanush-in-her-name-4782977.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220315120526/https://www.news18.com/news/movies/in-credits-of-her-latest-song-aishwarya-rajinikanth-doesnt-have-dhanush-in-her-name-4782977.html |archive-date=15 March 2022 |access-date=15 March 2022 |website=News18}} (born 1 January 1982{{cite web |title=Aishwarya is my lucky charm: Dhanush |url=http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/others/news-interviews/Aishwarya-is-my-lucky-charm-Dhanush/articleshow/11315160.cms |website=The Times of India |access-date=29 July 2016 |date=31 December 2011 |archive-date=22 August 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160822093729/http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/others/news-interviews/Aishwarya-is-my-lucky-charm-Dhanush/articleshow/11315160.cms |url-status=live}}{{Cite web |title=Aishwarya R. Dhanush to Release Autobiography 'Standing on an Apple Box' |agency=Press Trust of India |work=India West |date=23 March 2016 |access-date=29 July 2016 |url=http://www.indiawest.com/entertainment/south_indian/aishwarya-r-dhanush-to-release-autobiography-standing-on-an-apple/article_2d80b0a2-f13f-11e5-9d5b-4fd92247963c.html |quote=The 34-year-old daughter of Rajinikanth |archive-date=12 July 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160712162922/http://www.indiawest.com/entertainment/south_indian/aishwarya-r-dhanush-to-release-autobiography-standing-on-an-apple/article_2d80b0a2-f13f-11e5-9d5b-4fd92247963c.html |url-status=dead}}) is an Indian film director and playback singer who works in Tamil cinema. She is the elder daughter of actor Rajinikanth and playback singer Latha Rajinikanth and also the former wife of actor Dhanush. She made her feature film directorial debut with 3 (2012).
Early life
Aishwarya was born to actor Rajinikanth and singer Latha Rangachari.{{cite news |title=70 persons get Kalaimamani awards |date=25 February 2009 |url=http://www.hindu.com/2009/02/25/stories/2009022554160400.htm |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110130005942/http://www.hindu.com/2009/02/25/stories/2009022554160400.htm |url-status=dead |archive-date=30 January 2011 |work=The Hindu |access-date=19 April 2009}}{{cite news |title=Rajinikanth turns grandpa |date=12 October 2006 |url=http://www.hindu.com/2006/10/12/stories/2006101205680200.htm |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070217100314/http://www.hindu.com/2006/10/12/stories/2006101205680200.htm |url-status=dead |archive-date=17 February 2007 |work=The Hindu |access-date=19 April 2009}} She has a younger sister, Soundarya, who works in the Tamil film industry as well.{{cite news |last=Muthalaly |first=Susan |title=Silken choices to color your hair |date=1 July 2005 |url=http://www.hindu.com/2005/07/01/stories/2005070103600200.htm |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20050718073906/http://www.hindu.com/2005/07/01/stories/2005070103600200.htm |url-status=dead |archive-date=18 July 2005 |work=The Hindu |access-date=19 April 2009}}
Career
Aishwarya began her career in the Tamil film industry as a playback singer in the unreleased film Ramanaa, directed by Parthy Bhaskar. The song was composed by Deva in November 2000.{{Cite web |url=http://www.dinakaran.com/cinema/english/gossip/03-11-00/rajini.htm |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20050209114034/http://www.dinakaran.com/cinema/english/gossip/03-11-00/rajini.htm |url-status=dead |archive-date=9 February 2005 |title=dinakaran |date=9 February 2005}} Her first song to be released was "Natpe Natpe" from D. Imman's soundtrack for Whistle (2003), which she sang alongside the composer and actor Silambarasan.{{Cite web |url=http://www.dinakaran.com/cinema/english/gossip/2002/dec/28-12-02.htm |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20050306222934/http://www.dinakaran.com/cinema/english/gossip/2002/dec/28-12-02.htm |url-status=dead |archive-date=6 March 2005 |title=28-12-02 |date=6 March 2005}}{{Cite web |url=http://www.cinesouth.com/masala/07122002/news02.shtml |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20031213010415/http://www.cinesouth.com/masala/07122002/news02.shtml |url-status=dead |archive-date=13 December 2003 |title=Hotnews - Rajini - K.S.Ravikumar together?, Rajini's daughter debuts as a singer with Silambarasan !, Vizil, Aditya, Sherin, Gayathri Raghuram, Music Director Imaan, Visil, Prashanth hunts for soulmate online!, Sridevi is all set to return! |date=13 December 2003}}
In August 2011, she announced that she would direct her husband, Dhanush, and Shruti Haasan in her first feature film titled 3. The film was highly anticipated prior to its release, after the song "Why This Kolaveri Di" from its soundtrack went viral and became an internet phenomenon. The song was composed by her cousin Anirudh Ravichander. She appeared alongside the lead cast and composer in the making of the video. In July 2015, Aishwarya announced she will soon launch a YouTube channel under the banner of "Ten Entertainment" to exclusively promote original content and short films by aspiring filmmakers.{{cite web |title=Aishwarya Dhanush to launch YouTube channel |url=http://www.ratingvilas.com/telugu/movies/news/aishwarya-rajnikanth-channel |url-status=usurped |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151001035105/http://www.ratingvilas.com/telugu/movies/news/aishwarya-rajnikanth-channel |archive-date=1 October 2015}}
She was a judge on STAR Vijay's dance competition Jodi Number One in its third season alongside actors Sangeetha and Jeeva.{{cite news |date=26 September 2008 |title=Serials |url=http://www.hindu.com/cp/2008/09/26/stories/2008092650311400.htm |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080927045600/http://www.hindu.com/cp/2008/09/26/stories/2008092650311400.htm |url-status=dead |archive-date=27 September 2008 |work=The Hindu |access-date=19 April 2009}} She became a playback singer with the film Whistle alongside Silambarasan, which was then followed by the song "Un Mela Aasadhan" in the film Aayirathil Oruvan, for which she also worked as an assistant director.
In August 2016, Aishwarya was selected as India's goodwill ambassador for the UN Women organization.{{Cite web |title=Aishwaryaa R Dhanush appointed UN Goodwill Ambassador |url=http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/aishwarya-r-dhanush-un-women-s-advocate-for-gender-equality-and-women-empowerment/1/751549.html |access-date=26 September 2016 |archive-date=8 July 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240708035320/https://www.indiatoday.in/movies/celebrities/story/aishwarya-r-dhanush-un-women-s-advocate-for-gender-equality-and-women-empowerment-337881-2016-08-29 |url-status=live}}
Dance criticism
In March 2017, Aishwarya performed Bharatanatyam, a style of Indian classical dance, at the UN headquarters on International Women's Day. Her performance was criticized on social media by professional Bharatanatyam dancers,{{Cite web |url=http://indianexpress.com/article/entertainment/tamil/aishwaryaa-dhanush-pathetic-bharatnatyam-performance-at-un-draws-criticism-4565328/ |title=Aishwaryaa Dhanush's 'pathetic' Bharatnatyam performance at UN draws criticism |date=11 March 2017 |work=The Indian Express |access-date=15 March 2017 |archive-date=8 July 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240708035348/https://indianexpress.com/article/entertainment/tamil/aishwaryaa-dhanush-pathetic-bharatnatyam-performance-at-un-draws-criticism-4565328/ |url-status=live}}{{Cite web |url=http://movies.ndtv.com/regional/rajinikanths-daughter-aishwaryaa-dhanushs-bharatanatyam-performance-at-un-criticized-1668584 |title=Rajinikanth's Daughter Aishwaryaa Dhanush's Bharatanatyam Performance At UN Criticized |publisher=NDTV |access-date=15 March 2017 |archive-date=15 March 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170315164216/http://movies.ndtv.com/regional/rajinikanths-daughter-aishwaryaa-dhanushs-bharatanatyam-performance-at-un-criticized-1668584 |url-status=live}}{{Cite web |url=http://www.hindustantimes.com/regional-movies/aishwarya-dhanush-performs-bharatanatyam-at-the-un-but-not-all-are-impressed/story-xmJtN0TrMcNAFCx2feq4wM.html |title=Aishwarya Dhanush performed "Bharatanatyam" at the UN, but not all were impressed |date=11 March 2017 |work=Hindustan Times |access-date=15 March 2017 |archive-date=15 March 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170315090201/http://www.hindustantimes.com/regional-movies/aishwarya-dhanush-performs-bharatanatyam-at-the-un-but-not-all-are-impressed/story-xmJtN0TrMcNAFCx2feq4wM.html |url-status=live}} with popular Indian dancer Anita Ratnam writing on Aishwarya's Facebook that "This is what Bharatanatyam becomes... A caricature and a farce!".{{Cite news |url=http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/tamil/movies/news/anita-ratnam-slams-aishwaryaa-dhanushs-bharatnatyam/articleshow/57590742.cms |title=Anita Ratnam slams Aishwaryaa Dhanush's Bharatnatyam! |work=The Times of India |access-date=15 March 2017 |archive-date=8 July 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240708035320/https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/tamil/movies/news/anita-ratnam-slams-aishwaryaa-dhanushs-bharatnatyam/articleshow/57590742.cms |url-status=live}}
Personal life
Aishwarya was married to actor Dhanush{{cite news |title=It is an all women drive |date=5 August 2008 |url=http://www.hindu.com/2008/08/05/stories/2008080550630300.htm |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080808042532/http://www.hindu.com/2008/08/05/stories/2008080550630300.htm |url-status=dead |archive-date=8 August 2008 |work=The Hindu |access-date=19 April 2009}} with whom she has two sons, born in 2006 and 2010. The couple announced their separation through their respective social media handles on 17 January 2022.{{cite news |date=17 January 2022 |title=Dhanush and his wife Aishwaryaa Rajinikanth part ways after 18 years of togetherness |language=en |work=The Times of India |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/hindi/bollywood/news/dhanush-parts-ways-from-his-wife-aishwarya-rajnikanth/articleshow/88959139.cms |url-status=live |access-date=17 January 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220117183807/https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/hindi/bollywood/news/dhanush-parts-ways-from-his-wife-aishwarya-rajnikanth/articleshow/88959139.cms |archive-date=17 January 2022}} In April 2024, they filed for divorce,{{Cite web |date=9 April 2024 |title=After two years of separation, Dhanush, Aishwarya Rajinikanth file for divorce |url=https://english.mathrubhumi.com/movies-music/news/dhanush-aishwarya-rajinikanth-file-for-divorce-1.9472292 |access-date=9 April 2024 |website=Mathrubhumi |language=en |archive-date=8 July 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240708035322/https://english.mathrubhumi.com/movies-music/news/dhanush-aishwarya-rajinikanth-file-for-divorce-1.9472292 |url-status=live}} which was finalised that November.{{Cite news |last=PTI |date=2024-11-28 |title=Family court grants divorce to actor Dhanush and filmmaker Aishwarya Rajinikanth |url=https://www.thehindu.com/entertainment/movies/family-court-grants-divorce-to-actor-dhanush-and-aishwarya-rajinikanth/article68921545.ece |access-date=2024-11-28 |work=The Hindu |language=en-IN |archive-date=29 November 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241129022406/https://www.thehindu.com/entertainment/movies/family-court-grants-divorce-to-actor-dhanush-and-aishwarya-rajinikanth/article68921545.ece |url-status=live }}
In December 2016, Aishwarya Rajinikanth released her own memoir Standing on An Apple Box: The Story of A Girl Among the Stars.[http://www.vowelor.com/book/standing-on-an-apple-box-aishwaryaa-rajinikanth-review/ "Standing on An Apple Box: The Story of A Girl Among the Stars"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161222153729/http://www.vowelor.com/book/standing-on-an-apple-box-aishwaryaa-rajinikanth-review/ |date=22 December 2016 }} by Aishwarya R. Dhanush With this book, she has revealed her own story of being a celebrity kid, making her career choices, her marriage and her life as Rajinikanth’s daughter.{{Citation needed|date=January 2022}}
Filmography
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References
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External links
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Category:Indian women film directors
Category:Television personalities from Tamil Nadu
Category:Film directors from Chennai
Category:Recipients of the Kalaimamani Award
Category:21st-century Indian people
Category:Indian female classical dancers
Category:Performers of Indian classical dance
Category:Dancers from Tamil Nadu
Category:21st-century Indian dancers
Category:Tamil playback singers
Category:Women artists from Tamil Nadu