Stream The Gray Man now on Netflix

After nearly 20 years of overseas fame, Dhanush is making his blockbuster English-language debut this week in the Russo brothers’ new action thriller The Gray Man. The Kollywood star (that’s Indian films in Tamil rather than the Hindi of Bollywood) bursts onto the scene as brutal heavy Avik and beats the crap out of Ryan Gosling’s title character. For some audiences, this will be an introduction to the silver screen celeb. Here are a few of the most important things you need to know about the handsome henchman of The Gray Man.

Watch Dhanush Wrap on Set of The Gray ManThe Gray Man’s cast and crew’s heartwarming moment on set with a legend.

1. He comes from a family of performers. Dhanush’s first role came in 2002’s Thulluvadho Ilamai alongside his brother Selvaraghavan, who also wrote the screenplay. The pair’s father, Kasthuri Raja, is credited as the film’s director. Since 2002, Dhanush has appeared in multiple other films with Selvaraghavan, including Kadhal Kondein, Pudhupettai and Mayakkam Enna.

2. He also sings. Dhanush has set multiple musical milestones, including having the first Indian music video to cross 100 million views (for “Why This Kolaveri Di” from 3), and the first South Indian film soundtrack song to cross 1 billion views on YouTube (for “Rowdy Baby” from Maari 2). If he ever decides to quit his day job, he’ll still be in good shape.

3. The stunt team on The Gray Man loved him. “The man is incredible,” Gray Man stunt coordinator James Young says of Dhanush. “He’s just so good.” His peculiar stillness in the film’s fight sequences prompted Young to compare the actor to, no joke, Bruce Lee. Those are some massive — and lethal — shoes to fill. 

4. He collects hardware. Dhanush has won a variety of film awards, including two for best actor from the National Film Awards and seven (ranging from best actor to best male playback singer to best film) from the Filmfare Awards South.

5. But what he really wants to do is direct… In 2017, Dhanush pivoted to directing, with the comedy drama Pa Paandi. It’s the story of a stuntman who embarks on a road trip with his son to find the woman who was his first love. It was released in the United States as Power Paandi, and you can stream it on Netflix right this second.

Dhanush Fights Ryan Gosling and Ana De Armas | The Gray ManAssassin Avik San takes on Sierra Six and Dani.