A legal battle between two prominent Tamil film industry actors, Dhanush and Nayanthara, has taken a new turn. The conflict stems from the use of footage from the 2015 film Naanum Rowdy Dhaan in Nayanthara’s Netflix documentary, Nayanthara: Beyond The Fairy Tale. Dhanush, who starred in the film, has filed a civil suit against the actress, her husband Vignesh Shivan, and their production house for using the clips without his consent. The dispute has now escalated, with the Madras High Court stepping in to demand a response from Nayanthara.
The Legal Saga
The issue erupted when Dhanush allegedly refused to provide a No Objection Certificate (NOC) for the inclusion of footage from Naanum Rowdy Dhaan in the documentary. According to reports, the actor has filed a civil suit against not only Nayanthara and her husband but also their production company. Additionally, Dhanush’s legal team is seeking to take action against Netflix’s Mumbai affiliates, who are linked to the documentary’s distribution.
In response, Nayanthara has publicly addressed Dhanush, accusing him of harboring personal grievances and questioning his motives. In a heartfelt post on social media, Nayanthara shared her perspective on the matter. She pointed out the struggles she had faced as a self-made woman in an industry where connections and family support often play a significant role in shaping careers. Her message aimed to shed light on her journey and the hard work that went into the making of the documentary, which she believes was affected by Dhanush’s refusal.
Nayanthara’s Open Letter
In her open letter, Nayanthara highlighted the challenges she faced while building her career without industry connections. She emphasized her reliance on her work ethic, her fanbase, and the support of her peers rather than familial ties. The actress expressed disappointment over Dhanush’s decision not to allow the inclusion of the footage, calling it an act of “vengeance” that has impacted not only her but also the people who had worked hard on the documentary.
She wrote:
“Cinema, as we all know, is a fight for survival for people like me: a self-made woman with no links in the industry. I’d owe this to my work ethic that is no secret to all who know me but more importantly, to the goodwill of the audience and my film fraternity.”
Nayanthara also mentioned that while the documentary features contributions from various well-wishers, it notably lacks footage from Naanum Rowdy Dhaan, a film that holds special significance for her.
Legal Implications
The Madras High Court has now intervened, urging Nayanthara to respond to the civil suit filed by Dhanush. The next court hearing is likely to provide further clarity on whether the actress and her production team will be required to defend their actions or come to a resolution with Dhanush. The case is a reminder of how complicated legal disputes can become when it comes to intellectual property, personal relationships, and the use of film content in documentaries.
While the legal proceedings continue, it’s clear that this is more than just a business dispute—there’s a personal element that has led to public exchanges between two of Tamil cinema’s biggest stars. It remains to be seen how this drama will unfold, both in the courtroom and within the industry.
