We all know for a fact that Dhanush is a big star in Tamil cinema. He has his own fan base and has eventually went on to be a part of an international film - The Extraordinary Journey of the Fakir. On his birthday, let us revisit a scene from Mayakkam Enna that defines his career to date.

Here is a brief explanation of the scene along with the backstory. Karthik (Dhanush) wants to become a professional photographer. All that he knows is clicking photos. He approaches a renowned photographer to become his assistant, who insults him. He clicks better photos and comes back for a second chance. This time, he gives Karthik a chance to do a Bird Photography, and Karthik’s chances of becoming an assistant depend on this project. He packs his bags and decides to go to the location, along with his friends.

From this point on, what happens in the film can be compared to Dhanush’s acting career. Karthik walks into the forest, all alone. He knows for a fact that his friends are there to support him, yet he has to do things on his own to survive. The huge forest looks enchanting. It is easy to get lost... not inside, but in the beauty of it. It is like a trip to wonderland. But, on the other hand, you also have a lot of perils ahead. The biggest one is - you don’t know what is ahead. Looks can be deceptive.

Karthik is also a human. He does get lost. He is nervous and edgy. He is unable to come to terms with what he is seeing. Is this heaven? All that one can do at that point in time, is to surrender to the sudden overflow of emotions. And that is where art comes from. He sees an eagle that majestically perches itself on top of a branch. Karthik’s hands automatically go towards his camera. The nervousness seems to have become dust. The serenity of the atmosphere hits Karthik. The eagle spreads its wings and strikes a pose that would put even the likes of Angelina Jolie, look for an alternative career. Karthik gets the ‘perfect picture’ he was looking for. He keeps staring at the bird until a single leaf floats and falls on him. Perhaps nature’s way of giving back something to him? What he sought started seeking him. After this sequence, he goes through ups and downs, and the movie ends with him getting an international award. No matter how big the award is, the ‘perfect picture’ will have a special place in his heart.

The scene reminds us that it is not always the technicalities that make you an artist. The ISO, Shutter Speed, Lighting or the Aperture did not make the photograph a masterpiece. The emotions did. Staying true to those emotions and not suppressing them is what makes you an artist. And, we can proudly say, ‘namma’ Dhanush is not an actor. That would be a gross understatement. He is an artist.

He did look nervous and edgy when he entered the industry through films like Thulluvadho Ilamai and Kadhal Kondein. Then came Pudhupettai, where he drowned in the emotion and gave everything he had, to transform into Kokki Kumaru. That is why the film and the character have a cult status. The eagle that perched on top of the tree was the phase between Polladhavan and Uthamaputhiran. The perfect click was Aadukalam, which got him the National award. Perhaps the industry’s way of giving something back to him? What he sought started seeking him. He went through his ups and down after this, but went on to bag a role in a Hollywood film. No matter how well this film performs or wins awards, Aadukalam will always have a special place in his heart. Well, This is the extraordinary journey of the fakir, Dhanush. Mayakkam Enna?