“Stand up for your child, because they deserve the best.”
This is the powerful message that Commonwealth Union shares with the world this Father’s Day. No matter who your child is, however they are, whatever challenges they may face, stand by them, fight for them. Because to them, you are everything. You are their world, their strength, their belief. This is the story of a remarkable father who shattered stereotypes and overcame every obstacle to ensure his son had equal opportunities and a life filled with dignity. His name is Napoleon. Through his fatherhood journey, he has redefined what it means to be a parent and what true fatherhood looks like. Not just for his own son, but for countless other children facing similar challenges. His story is not just about parenting, it’s about love without limits, courage without pause, and hope without end.
Honouring Actor Napolean
This Father’s Day, Commonwealth Union proudly honors Actor Napoleon as the Best Father for his inspiring journey of inclusive parenting. His compassion and strength have not only transformed his own child’s life but also offered hope to countless families of children with muscular dystrophy. Through his journey, he has shown the world that compassionate parenting and relentless support can uplift a child’s life, regardless of their limitations. Hence, in celebration of Father’s Day on June 15, Commonwealth Union bestows the Best Father title to Actor Napolean, making his journey a beacon of inspiration for parents around the world.
Celebrating Father’s day
Fathers are the silent warriors of our lives, often uncelebrated, yet deeply loved. Father’s Day is a special reminder to honor their silent strength, endless sacrifices, and unwavering love. The angels in every home, whom we lovingly call Dad, are the greatest strength in every child’s life. This Father’s Day, Commonwealth Union proudly celebrates these unsung heroes who light up their children’s world, asking for nothing in return.
Inclusive Parenting
Inclusive parenting is love in its purest and most powerful form, celebrating your child for exactly who they are. Its the deep, unwavering promise to love your child’s identity. It’s not about changing them, but nurturing them with patience, purpose, and unconditional love. It’s creating a safe space where every part of them is embraced, not just accepted. At its heart, inclusive parenting is about love, kindness, and quiet sacrifices.
Who is Actor Napolean?
Napolean rose to fame in the 1990s as a versatile actor in Tamil cinema. Starting his career portraying powerful villains, he transitioned into lead roles in several successful films. His deep voice and commanding screen presence made him a unique figure in South Indian cinema.
Acting Career
During his peak years, Napolean starred alongside leading South Indian actors and actresses, earning accolades and audience admiration across Tamil, Telugu, and Malayalam cinema. He is also the recipient of prestigious awards like the Kalaimamani and MGR Award, and served as Vice-President of the South Indian Film Artistes’ Association. His career later expanded into international cinema, including appearances in Hollywood productions.
Political Career
In 2001, Actor Napolean entered politics, aligning with the DMK party in Tamil Nadu and serving as a Member of the Legislative Assembly until 2009. He later held the position of Minister of State for Social Justice and Empowerment in the Union Government. In 2014, he joined the BJP and was appointed the State Vice-President in 2015 under Amit Shah.
Personal Life
Despite his public roles, Napolean has always been a devoted family man. He married Jayasudha in 1993, and together they have two sons, Dhanush and Gunal. Dhanush now leads the family’s IT venture, while Gunal has ventured into film direction.
Son’s Diagnosis of Muscular Dystrophy
Napolean’s elder son Dhanush is a graduate. He earned UG degree in Animation from Lipscomb University. He was diagnosed with a rare hereditary condition called muscular dystrophy during his childhood. The news was heartbreaking for actor Napoleon, who initially pursued traditional treatments in India while also exploring advanced medical options in hopes of finding a cure. Despite initial emotional turmoil, Napolean never allowed despair to take root. However, upon learning that the disease had no known cure, the family chose to fully embrace Dhanush and focus on giving him the best life possible. Napoleon’s only wish was that his son experience all the joys and opportunities that any other child would have. With that determination, he set out to make thoughtful plans for Dhanush’s future.
What is Muscular Dystrophy?
Muscular Dystrophy (MD) is a group of genetic disorders that lead to progressive weakening of the muscles. While incurable, its symptoms can be managed with therapies such as physiotherapy, hydrotherapy, and occupational therapy. The disease is emotionally and physically stressful, especially for families, and calls for continuous care, resilience, and hope.
Sacrificing a Thriving Career
At the peak of his political and cinematic success, Napolean made the life-altering decision to leave everything behind and migrate to the USA, not for ambition, but for his son’s well-being. It’s rare for someone to walk away from a thriving political life, which brings prestige, power, and wealth. But for Napoleon, his son’s well-being came above all else. Without hesitation, he gave up his thriving political and acting career and moved to the USA, driven solely by his desire to give his son the best possible care and quality of life.
Migration to the USA
Leaving one’s homeland is never easy. For Napolean, it meant starting from scratch in a foreign land. Yet, he saw this move as an investment in his son’s future. Being a celebrated figure in both cinema and politics, the decision to leave India was one of the most challenging moments of his life. Yet, it was a choice driven by love, a commitment to his son’s future. Additionally, the uncertainty of beginning a new life in a foreign country was daunting, but his son remained his greatest source of strength and driving force of his life. With courage and vision, he built a new life in the USA, driven by a father’s love.
Creating a Better Life
Napolean didn’t just provide care, he provided a complete life. Beyond medical treatment, he found that the societal acceptance and inclusion of individuals with physical challenges were far more progressive and supportive in the United States than in India. He even purchased a spacious home in the US and thoughtfully remodeled it to suit his son’s needs, creating a space where he could move freely and live comfortably. He ensured his education and nurtured an environment of love, acceptance, and dignity, reflecting the essence of inclusive parenting.
Building a Business Empire
Following the family’s migration to the USA, Napolean founded Jeevan Technologies, an IT firm in Tennessee, which now employs thousands and operates globally. Eventually, he entrusted the company’s leadership to his son Dhanush, empowering him and proving that physical limitations do not define a person’s potential.
Commitment to Organic Farming
Expanding his entrepreneurial spirit, he also embraced organic agriculture, purchasing hundreds of acres of land in the USA. He also partnered with several organizations to advance sustainable creative practices and strengthen national networks in the US and India, with a sincere focus on improving the food system through environmentally sustainable and economically viable solutions for farmers. His farming practices promote sustainability and natural living, serving as another example of his multi-faceted legacy.
A Grand Wedding for His Son
The crowning moment of Napoleon’s fatherhood came with his son’s marriage. In November, Napolean arranged a beautiful wedding for Dhanush in Japan, who married a Tamil girl named Akshaya. He organized a grand wedding which was attended by a number of celebrities and industry friends. He ensured a comfortable, dignified celebration that showed his deep love for his son.
Graceful Response to Criticism
Following the wedding, netizens criticized the event, questioning the legitimacy of the marriage. Napolean, with dignity and grace, silenced his critics by reaffirming that physically challenged individuals deserve love, marriage, and a family just like anyone else.
The Jeevan Foundation
In a major attempt to support all impoverished and physically challenged kids, Napolean founded the Jeevan Foundation in 2006, a secular non-profit for underprivileged children in Tamil Nadu. The foundation’s Mayopathy Institute for Muscular Dystrophy, launched in 2010, offers treatment and research for MD, driven by the personal journey of his son.
Breaking Stereotypes
Through his son’s marriage, actor Napolean not only proved himself as the best father, but also challenged the widely held belief that people with muscular dystrophy need only caretakers, not life partners. He proved that they too can lead fulfilling lives, have families, and deserve the same respect and happiness as everyone else.
Every Step was for His Son
From the moment of diagnosis, every decision in Napolean’s life has revolved around son Dhanush. From leaving his career and moving to the USA to remodeling a home, and arranging a joyful marriage, each act reflects a father’s boundless love and determination.
Why He Deserves the Title
Actor Nepolean exemplifies fatherhood at its most noble. He deserves the Father of the Year title for:
- Sacrificing his thriving political and film career
- Leaving homeland and migrating to the USA for his son’s treatment
- Remodeling his home for son’s free mobility
- Providing top-tier education and career opportunities
- Organizing a grand and inclusive wedding, challenging the old stereotypes
- Uplifting other children with muscular dystrophy
- Being a global example of what true parenting means
- For embracing inclusive parenting
Final Statement
Actor Napoleon is more than a star or politician; he is an example of how far a father will go to ensure equal rights for his kids. He is a real-life hero whose journey speaks to the power of resilience, love, and purpose. He has embraced the role of a devoted father, not only to his son but also as a guiding light and father figure to countless children with physical challenges. Hence, honoring Actor Napolean as the Best Father is more than an award. It is a heartfelt celebration of inclusive parenting, a tribute to the quiet strength of fatherhood, and a moving reminder that love, in its purest form, knows no boundaries. It’s a message from humanity that the world deeply needs.
