In a move that has caught the attention of fans and media alike, Vignesh Shivan, the filmmaker and husband of actress Nayanthara, deactivated his X (formerly Twitter) account in the early hours of December 1, 2024. The timing of the deactivation coincides with the intensifying feud between Nayanthara and actor Dhanush, which has dominated headlines in recent weeks. Speculation suggests that trolling, largely sparked by a controversial Instagram post, may have played a role in Shivan’s decision.
Rising Tensions Between Nayanthara and Dhanush
The controversy between Nayanthara and Dhanush began to heat up after a clip from the Netflix documentary Nayanthara: Beyond the Fairytale was released, leading to legal tensions. In the documentary, a behind-the-scenes segment from the 2015 film Naanum Rowdy Dhaan featured both actors. Dhanush, who produced the movie, took issue with the inclusion of the footage, leading to a legal notice. The clip, which was only a few seconds long, became a focal point for the growing animosity between the two stars.
In response to the legal action, Nayanthara and Vignesh Shivan seemed to downplay the seriousness of the situation. On November 18, Shivan posted a reel on Instagram featuring the controversial footage, captioning it as “The 10 crores clip that wants to be taken down from our Netflix documentary. Please watch it here for free.” This post, while intended as a joke, was not well received by Dhanush’s fans, who took to social media to criticize Shivan for mocking the actor’s legal battle. The post quickly went viral, leading to heavy trolling directed at Shivan from Dhanush’s supporters.
Legal Action Escalates the Feud
The conflict took a more formal turn when the Madras High Court allowed Dhanush’s legal team to file a lawsuit against Netflix, Nayanthara, and Vignesh Shivan for the alleged unauthorized use of the behind-the-scenes footage. The move effectively brought the feud into the legal arena, intensifying public interest in the ongoing dispute.
Dhanush’s legal team has been vocal about their stance, accusing Nayanthara and Shivan of using the footage without proper clearance. In contrast, Nayanthara has expressed frustration with Dhanush’s actions, accusing him of holding a grudge and using the legal notice as a form of “vengeance.” This public war of words has added fuel to the fire, further polarizing fans of both stars.
Shivan’s Social Media Silence
Amidst the drama, Vignesh Shivan’s decision to deactivate his X account has only added to the intrigue. Shivan had been active on social media, sharing personal updates, film-related posts, and interactions with fans. However, after facing a wave of online backlash, particularly from Dhanush’s loyalists, his sudden exit from the platform has raised questions.
While Shivan has not made any public statements regarding the deactivation, many speculate that the constant trolling and public scrutiny might have taken a toll. Social media can be a double-edged sword, and the pressure of dealing with online hate can often lead celebrities to step away from their accounts. It is also possible that Shivan deactivated his X account in an effort to protect his privacy during the ongoing controversy.
What’s Next for the Feud?
As the legal battle continues to unfold, the Nayanthara-Dhanush feud shows no signs of cooling down. With the Madras High Court’s recent decision in favor of Dhanush’s legal team, the case is expected to progress in the coming weeks. However, it remains to be seen how the involvement of Netflix, along with the increasing media coverage, will impact the relationship between the two stars.
For now, fans are left to speculate about the future of Nayanthara, Dhanush, and Vignesh Shivan in the public eye. While Shivan has temporarily disappeared from social media, Nayanthara continues to be active, offering no indication that she intends to back down from her stance.
