Dhanush donates three-storied building to Chennai school he attended
Synopsis
Two National Awards in hand and a three-storied building gifted to his old school — Dhanush's return to Thaai Sathya Matriculation School in Saligramam was anything but routine. The actor personally touched the feet of his former teachers and has reportedly pledged further renovations, turning a quiet school gesture into one of Tamil cinema's more memorable acts of giving back.
Key Takeaways
Dhanush has reportedly constructed and donated a three-storied building to Thaai Sathya Matriculation School in Saligramam, Chennai .
The new structure, named the 'Dhanush Block' , replaces an older single-storey roofed building on the same campus.
Dhanush attended the inauguration alongside 1999 batch schoolmate and cinematographer Kumaran and his wife Lakshmi Krupa .
Dhanush has reportedly pledged to renovate additional buildings and construct new ones in vacant spaces on campus.
The actor recently won two National Awards at the 72nd National Film Awards — for acting and direction — and is currently filming 'Om' with Mammootty .
Actor Dhanush has reportedly constructed and donated a three-storied building to Thaai Sathya Matriculation School in Saligramam, Chennai, the institution where he completed his schooling up to Class 10. The newly built structure, which replaces an older single-storey roofed building on the same campus, has been named the 'Dhanush Block' in his honour.
The Inauguration Ceremony
The inauguration of the new building was held recently at the school premises. Dhanush attended the event alongside his schoolmate and cinematographer Kumaran, both members of the 1999 batch. In a moment widely described as deeply emotional, Dhanush touched the feet of each of his former teachers and received their blessings, before posing for photographs with them.
Cinematographer Kumaran's wife, Lakshmi Krupa, also attended the ceremony. Kumaran, who studied with Dhanush from LKG through Class 10, recalled their shared journey from school to the film industry.
What Kumaran Said
'Dhanush, my wife and I studied here until Class 10. Later, Dhanush and I completed our Plus Two at another school. He went into cinema, while I completed my engineering degree and, unexpectedly, ended up entering the film industry as well. I eventually became a cinematographer and worked with Dhanush on films such as Thangamagan,' Kumaran said.
He added that Dhanush had personally enquired about the condition of the school buildings before volunteering to fund the construction. 'What touched us even more was that he said he would also renovate some of the other buildings and construct new ones in the vacant spaces. His gesture has truly moved us,' Kumaran said.
More Contributions Planned
According to Kumaran, Dhanush has expressed his intent to go beyond this single structure — reportedly committing to renovate additional buildings on campus and construct new ones in vacant spaces. The school, located in the Saligramam neighbourhood of Chennai, has not issued an official statement, and details of the broader renovation timeline remain unconfirmed.
Dhanush on the Work Front
The gesture comes at a high point in Dhanush's career. He recently won two National Awards at the 72nd National Film Awards — one for acting and one for direction. He is currently working on director Rajkumar Periasami's upcoming film 'Om', in which he stars alongside Malayalam superstar Mammootty.
Point of View
Touched his teachers' feet, and reportedly pledged further construction. What's worth watching is whether the broader renovation commitment materialises — unnamed promises to schools often quietly disappear once the cameras leave. The 72nd National Film Awards timing is notable too: this is a star at peak cultural capital choosing to spend some of it on an unglamorous institution in a Chennai suburb, which says something about where he locates his identity.
NationPress
5 Aug 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What did Dhanush donate to his school?
Dhanush reportedly constructed and donated a three-storied building to Thaai Sathya Matriculation School in Saligramam, Chennai, where he studied until Class 10. The structure has been named the 'Dhanush Block'.
Which school did Dhanush attend?
Dhanush completed his schooling up to Class 10 at Thaai Sathya Matriculation School in Saligramam, Chennai. He and cinematographer Kumaran both belong to the school's 1999 batch.
Who attended the inauguration of the Dhanush Block?
Dhanush attended the inauguration along with his schoolmate and cinematographer Kumaran and Kumaran's wife Lakshmi Krupa. Dhanush touched the feet of his former teachers and posed for photographs with them at the event.
Has Dhanush promised any further contributions to the school?
According to cinematographer Kumaran, Dhanush has expressed intent to renovate other buildings on campus and construct new ones in vacant spaces. However, no official timeline or statement from the school has been confirmed.
What is Dhanush working on currently?
Dhanush is currently filming 'Om', directed by Rajkumar Periasami, in which he stars alongside Malayalam superstar Mammootty. He also recently won two National Awards at the 72nd National Film Awards — one for acting and one for direction.
