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Why did Dhanush and Aishwaryaa decide to divorce?

In a social media post, the couple announced their split and asked everyone to respect their decision and give them privacy.

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Dhanush-Aishwarya
Dhanush and Aishwaryaa

By Jyothi Venkatesh

It is very sad but at the same time true that Dhanush and Aishwaryaa have announced their separation after 18 years of marriage on January 17. Dhanush and Aishwaryaa have two sons, Yatra and Linga, who were born in 2006 and 2010, respectively. In a social media post, the couple announced their split and asked everyone to respect their decision and give them privacy. What exactly prompted the couple to go separate ways? According to Indiatoday.in portal, the two also plan to co-parent their kids. Dhanush and Aishwaryaa Rajanikanth’s separation has indeed shocked fans, but those close to the couple say this was no surprise.

Dhanush made his acting debut with Thulluvadho Ilamai directed by his father, Kasthuri Raja. He was later seen in his brother Selvaraghavan’s debut directorial venture, Kaadhal Kondein, in 2003, which was instrumental in drawing Dhanush and Aishwaryaa closer. Aishwaryaa and her sister Soundarya had gone to watch the film where the couple met for the first time and greeted each other.

According to insiders, after watching the film, Aishwaryaa sent Dhanush flowers and a note praising his performance. Dhanush then called her up to thank her. “That is how we started talking and within six months we got married,” said Aishwaryaa. Her parents Rajinilant and Latha were initially ‘apprehensive’ as Dhanush was too young and also very lean at that time. “But he was quite strong about what he felt and I do not think they regret it today. My parents did not oppose vehemently, they just asked me if I was sure I was not rushing into things. My parents gave me their views but I chose to get married to him anyway,” she added.

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It is said that Aishwaryaa’s conservative parents were not very happy with the fact that news of them dating was spreading in the media and they hitched in a hurry. In 2004, the couple tied the knot in a grand wedding. However, the news of their marriage took everyone by surprise as it was all very sudden. In an old interview, Aishwaryaa had said, “It all happened very fast and we were too young. By the time we realised there is something between us, we got married.”

An insider close to the couple spills the beans on what led up to this moment. An actor who is also a friend of the couple reveals, “Dhanush is a workaholic and puts his work before anything else. There have been many instances when his work commitments – travelling between cities and outdoor film shoots – have taken a toll on his family life.”

The insider further adds that each time Dhanush and Aishwaryaa had any sort of friction, he’d go on to sign a new film, perhaps in a way to keep himself engaged in work. “For anyone who knows Dhanush, he’s an extremely private person. Even with his close set of friends, there is not much that he shares. You can’t tell what’s going on in his mind. It almost felt like he was using his work to get away from his failing relationship and it was evident that it was taking a huge toll on them both,” said the insider. I endorse his views as I had interviewed Dhanush who was the son in law of my dear friend Rajinikant when he had come down to Mumbai four years ago for the promotion of his film Velai Illa Pattadhari 2 and he refused to give me either his or Rajini’s contact number.

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Despite back-to-back films and other work commitments like overseeing production work, looking into the OTT space and planning to foray into new projects, the recent times and the lockdown have been the most difficult for the couple, though the thought of going separate ways was on their minds for quite some time.

Dhanush wanted to finish the promotions of Atrangi Re before he made the official announcement. “During the promotions, Dhanush was not in his element. It was evident that he was going through something very personal and wanted to keep it to him. Aishwaryaa, on the other hand, has taken to fitness and her other areas of interest, like charities and women empowerment projects that she undertakes, following in the footsteps of her mother. Her concern was obviously their kids – Yatra and Linga”, according to insiders.

It seems that Dhanush and Aishwaryaa grew apart over the last few years, exactly like her sister Soundarya and her husband leading up to a point when they decided to give each other space and make their individual happiness a priority, though their kids will always be their priority and they also plan to co-parent them . “There is no animosity or hatred towards each other,” concludes the friend.

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