Dhanush applauds father Kasthuri Raja’s performance in Habeebi
Actor Dhanush has expressed admiration for his father, filmmaker-actor Kasthuri Raja, following the release of the romantic drama Habeebi. Sharing his reaction on social media, Dhanush said he was deeply impressed by his father’s portrayal in the film and congratulated the entire team for their efforts.
According to Dhanush, his packed shooting schedule had prevented him from watching the film earlier. After finally seeing it, he praised Kasthuri Raja for taking on a role that differed significantly from his previous work and delivering a sincere and convincing performance. He also commended director Meera Kathiravan for successfully bringing together strong performances from the cast and crafting an engaging cinematic experience.
Set in a weaving community near Tirunelveli, Habeebi traces the life of Yousuf, a handloom artisan striving to protect his family’s traditional craft amid changing times. Alongside this narrative, the film explores a quiet love story between Abu Thahir and Nilofar, using the backdrop of social and cultural transformation to examine themes of heritage, relationships, and resilience across generations.
The film features Kasthuri Raja and Esha M in lead roles, supported by a cast that includes Malavika Manoj, Dhanasree Sudhakaran, Arulkumar and Anusreya Rajan. Music for the project, including its songs and background score, has been composed by Sam CS.
On the professional front, Dhanush was recently seen in Kara, an action drama directed by Vignesh Raja. The story follows a former thief who is compelled to return to crime in an effort to recover his family’s ancestral property and fulfil a personal promise. The film featured an ensemble cast including Mamitha Baiju, KS Ravikumar, Suraj Venjaramoodu, Karunaas and Jayaram, and later premiered on Netflix following its theatrical release.
Dhanush is currently occupied with filming Om, directed by Rajkumar Periasamy. The project also stars Mammootty, Sai Pallavi and Sreeleela in pivotal roles. Scheduled for release on October 16, 2026, the film has generated considerable buzz, with the makers indicating that it will launch a new franchise. The soundtrack and score are being composed by Sai Abhyankkar.