IsraelGuinn0047 at 16:38, 20 February 2026

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{{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
| birth_name =
| birth_date = {{Birth date and age|1982|1|1|df=y}}
| birth_place = [[Madras]] (now Chennai), [[Tamil Nadu]], India
| death_date =
| death_place =
| occupation = {{hlist|[[Film director]]|[[playback singer]]}}
| years_active = 2003–present
| spouse = {{marriage|[[Dhanush]]|2004|2024|end=divorced}}
| children = 2
| father = [[Rajinikanth]]
| mother = [[Latha Rajinikanth]]
| relatives = [[List of South Indian film families#Rajinikanth family|Rajinikanth family]]
| family = [[Soundarya Rajinikanth]] (sister)
}}

'''Aishwarya Rajinikanth'''<ref>{{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]]}}</ref> (born 1 January 1982<ref>{{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}}</ref><ref>{{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}}</ref>) 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]]. She made her feature film directorial debut with ''[[3 (2012 Indian film)|3]]'' (2012).
[[Image:Master Classes by David Wonark, the Producer, Avy Kaufman, the American casting Director, Aiswarya Rajnikant, at the 43rd International Film Festival of India (IFFI-2012), in Panaji, Goa on November 23, 2012.jpg|right|thumb|Aishwarya Rajinikanth (center), [[David Womark]] (left), [[Avy Kaufman]] (right) at [[International Film Festival of India|IFFI]] [[43rd International Film Festival of India|2012]]]]

==Early life==
Aishwarya was born to actor [[Rajinikanth]] and singer [[Latha Rangachari]].<ref name=TH090225>{{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}}</ref><ref name=TH061012>{{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}}</ref> She has a younger sister, [[Soundarya Rajinikanth|Soundarya]], who works in the [[Tamil cinema|Tamil]] [[film industry]] as well.<ref>{{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}}</ref>

==Career==
Aishwarya began her career in the [[Tamil cinema|Tamil film industry]] as a playback singer in the unreleased film ''Ramanaa'', directed by Parthy Bhaskar. The song was composed by [[Deva (composer)|Deva]] in November 2000.<ref>{{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}}</ref> Her first song to be released was "Natpe Natpe" from [[D. Imman]]'s soundtrack for ''[[Whistle (2003 film)|Whistle]]'' (2003), which she sang alongside the composer and actor [[Silambarasan]].<ref>{{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}}</ref><ref>{{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}}</ref>

In August 2011, she announced that she would direct her husband, Dhanush, and [[Shruti Haasan]] in her first feature film titled ''[[3 (2012 Indian film)|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 meme|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.<ref>{{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}}</ref>

She was a judge on [[STAR Vijay]]'s dance competition ''[[Jodi No.1 (TV series)|Jodi Number One]]'' in its third season alongside actors [[Sangeetha Krish|Sangeetha]] and [[Jeeva (actor)|Jeeva]].<ref>{{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}}</ref> She became a [[playback singer]] with the film ''[[Whistle (2003 film)|Whistle]]'' alongside [[Silambarasan Rajendar|Silambarasan]], which was then followed by the song "Un Mela Aasadhan" in the film ''[[Aayirathil Oruvan (2010 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.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Aishwaryaa R Dhanush appointed UN Goodwill Ambassador |url=https://www.indiatoday.in/movies/celebrities/story/aishwarya-r-dhanush-un-women-s-advocate-for-gender-equality-and-women-empowerment-337881-2016-08-29 |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}}</ref>

== 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,<ref>{{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}}</ref><ref>{{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}}</ref><ref>{{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}}</ref> with popular Indian dancer [[Anita Ratnam]] writing on Aishwarya's Facebook that "This is what Bharatanatyam becomes... A caricature and a farce!".<ref>{{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}}</ref>

== Personal life ==
On 18 November 2004, Aishwarya married actor [[Dhanush]], with whom she has two sons, born in 2006 and 2010.<ref name=":0" /> The couple announced their separation through their respective social media handles on 17 January 2022.<ref name="Dhanush and his wife Aishwaryaa Rajinikanth part ways after 18 years of togetherness">{{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}}</ref> In April 2024, they filed for divorce,<ref>{{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}}</ref> which was finalised that November.<ref name=":0">{{Cite news |last=PTI |author-link=Press Trust of India |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 |url-status=live |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 |archive-date=29 November 2024 |access-date=2024-11-28 |work=[[The Hindu]] |language=en-IN}}</ref> In December 2016, Aishwarya Rajinikanth released her own memoir ''Standing on An Apple Box: The Story of A Girl Among the Stars.''<ref>[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</ref>

== Filmography ==
{{Pending films key}}
=== As film director ===
{| class="wikitable sortable"
|-
! Year
! Title
! Notes
! class="unsortable" | Ref..
|-
| 2012 || ''[[3 (2012 Indian film)|3]]''|| ||
|-
| 2015 || ''[[Vai Raja Vai]]''|| ||
|-
| 2017 || ''[[Cinema Veeran]]''|| Documentary ||<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.indiatoday.in/movies/regional-cinema/story/cinema-veeran-rajnikanth-aishwarya-dhanush-and-ar-rahman-join-hands-for-a-documentary-310589-2016-02-25 |title=Cinema Veeran: Rajinikanth, Aishwarya Dhanush and AR Rahman join hands for a documentary |date=25 February 2016 |website=India Today |access-date=12 December 2019 |archive-date=11 January 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210111160922/https://www.indiatoday.in/movies/regional-cinema/story/cinema-veeran-rajnikanth-aishwarya-dhanush-and-ar-rahman-join-hands-for-a-documentary-310589-2016-02-25 |url-status=live}}</ref>
|-
| 2024 || ''[[Lal Salaam (2024 film)|Lal Salaam]]''|| ||
|}

;As dubbing artist
*''[[Aayirathil Oruvan (2010 film)|Aayirathil Oruvan]]'' (2010) for [[Reema Sen]]<ref>{{Cite news |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/regional/movie-details/news-interviews/aishwarya-dhanush-does-dubbing-for-reema/articleshow/4505668.cms |title=Aishwarya Dhanush does dubbing for Reema |website=The Times of India |access-date=8 February 2021 |archive-date=8 July 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240708035320/https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/regional/movie-details/news-interviews/aishwarya-dhanush-does-dubbing-for-reema/articleshow/4505668.cms |url-status=live}}</ref>

== Discography ==
{| class="wikitable sortable"
|-
! Year
! Title
! Song !! Co-singer(s)
! class="unsortable" | Ref.
|-
| 2003 || ''[[Whistle (2003 film)|Whistle]]'' || "Natpae Natpae" || [[Silambarasan]], [[D. Imman]], Uma Mahesh, Roopa Venkat ||
|-
| 2010 || ''[[Aayirathil Oruvan (2010 film)|Aayirathil Oruvan]]'' || "Un Mela Aasadhan" || [[Dhanush]], [[Andrea Jeremiah]] ||
|-
|}

==References==
{{reflist}}

==External links==
{{Commons category}}
* {{IMDb name}}

{{authority control}}

[[Category:1982 births]]
[[Category:Living people]]
[[Category:Indian women film directors]]
[[Category:Television personalities from Tamil Nadu]]
[[Category:Film directors from Chennai]]
[[Category:Recipients of the Kalaimamani Award]]
[[Category:Indian female classical dancers]]
[[Category:Performers of Indian classical dance]]
[[Category:Dancers from Tamil Nadu]]
[[Category:21st-century Indian dancers]]
[[Category:Tamil-language playback singers]]
[[Category:Women artists from Tamil Nadu]]
[[Category:21st-century Indian women artists]]
[[Category:Rajinikanth]]

Aishwarya Rajinikanth - Revision history

IsraelGuinn0047 at 16:38, 20 February 2026