[Interview] Dhanush sprained his neck making ‘THE GRAY MAN’

Courtney Howard // Film Critic

Tamil actor Dhanush may not be a household name in the United States yet, but he will be very soon. With the advent of directors Joe and Anthony Russo’s THE GRAY MAN debuting in theaters (on Friday) and then streaming on Netflix (a week later), his career is about to reach stratospheric heights. The American action-driven auteurs couldn’t help but cast him in their film because of his massive on-screen appeal, talent and magnetism. They liked him so much that they wrote him into their adaptation of Mark Greaney’s novel, tailoring the role impeccably to his strengths.

In the spy thriller, Dhanush plays Avik San, a cutthroat assassin hired to take out the looming threat of rogue agent Sierra Six (Ryan Gosling). Avik – referred to by Chris Evans’ sociopathic character as “my Tamil friend” – has got style and skill in abundance, using his lethal talents to gain the upper hand on Six and Dani Miranda (Ana De Armas), a CIA agent helping Six. And, even though he appears to be in league with the baddies, Avik values the element of surprise and has a moral code.

Despite being very experienced in stunt work and fight choreography, the affable actor’s two major fight sequences called for him to further develop his talents. At the film’s recent virtual press conference, he says of his experience,

“I had a great time understanding how Hollywood works. I’ve done about 50 films – 22 years of work in the Indian film industry. You often don’t get the chance to feel like a newcomer. The first time, it all happens in a blur. You don’t realize what’s happening. This time, I had an opportunity to look at myself like a newcomer. It was really amazing.”

Being that he is also a fan of American cinema also made things feel extra special.

“Growing up watching Hollywood films and to be in one is really nice. I’m very thankful to the Russos for finding me and casting me.”

No stranger to action filmmaking, working on a film with the Russos provided a whole new set of thrilling challenges for Dhanush. In terms of the physical aspects, he said,

“We started with the basics with this crew: where your right hand should be if your left hand is here. Right from the basics, it was amazing. They take you through and it gets intense to the point where it feels dangerous – very quick and very fast. It was very fun, but challenging. Towards the end you feel like you’re a pro, more so [than before]. They make sure you’re so good before you go on flows.”

Unfortunately, an almost crisis occurred when he sustained an injury. He continued,

“It’s funny. Just one week before the shoot, I sprained my neck. So a month and a half was spent training and then one week before we start filming, I sprained it and was like ‘What am I gonna do?!’ The physio had just a week’s time to get me ready to match Ana’s speed [laughs]. But somehow they found a way to make me fit for the stunt sequence.”

Making sure character drive and momentum stays at the forefront of the fisticuffs presented further excitement for Dhanush.

“Avik San is supposed to be very calm and serious and composed, but these kind of movements, where energy coming out of your body, I didn’t know how to do it. I had to be calm and [mimic’s fighting]. It was fun and great to have something that keeps you thinking all the time.”

THE GRAY MAN will be releasing in theaters on July 15th and on Netflix July 22^nd.