Dhanush has recently filed a ₹10 crore lawsuit against Nayanthara and Netflix, alleging copyright infringement. The legal dispute stems from the use of behind-the-scenes footage from the 2015 Tamil film Naanum Rowdy Dhaan in the Netflix documentary Nayanthara: Beyond The Fairytale. Directed by Vignesh Shivan, Nayanthara’s husband, the documentary is intended to celebrate her personal and professional life. However, a brief three-second clip from the movie’s production, included in the documentary, has led to a serious legal battle.
Dhanush, who co-produced Naanum Rowdy Dhaan under his Wunderbar Films banner, claims that the footage was used without his consent. He asserts this act violates copyright law and has demanded compensation along with the removal of the clip from the documentary. The dispute has come as a shock to fans who admired the on-screen and professional relationship between Dhanush and Nayanthara during the film’s production, which was both a commercial and critical success.
In response to the lawsuit, Nayanthara has strongly defended herself by publishing an open letter. She criticized Dhanush’s actions, accusing him of unnecessary hostility and publicly damaging her reputation. Referring to Dhanush as a “tyrant,” Nayanthara expressed disappointment in his alleged two-faced behavior, suggesting he projects kindness in public but engages in manipulative tactics in private. Her bold remarks have sparked a debate among fans and industry members, with some applauding her candidness while others feel the issue should have been resolved behind closed doors.
The legal tussle has elicited reactions from within the Tamil film industry. Actor RJ Balaji, who worked on Naanum Rowdy Dhaan, expressed hope that the matter would be resolved amicably. He highlighted the professionalism of both Dhanush and Nayanthara, suggesting they could settle the issue through dialogue or legal means without further escalation. Balaji, currently promoting his upcoming film with Suriya, remarked that the controversy should not overshadow the legacy of their past collaboration.
This case has also prompted discussions about intellectual property rights within Indian cinema. The increasing digitization of content has raised concerns about the legalities of reusing materials from past works. Nayanthara’s supporters argue that the clip’s use in a personal documentary was harmless, while critics emphasize the need for explicit permissions to avoid such disputes.
Netflix, a central player in the controversy, now faces yet another challenge involving intellectual property. The outcome of this lawsuit may set a precedent for the use of archival content in documentaries, potentially influencing future projects on the platform.
The court’s decision will not only determine the resolution of this case but could also impact the working dynamics of Dhanush, Nayanthara, and Vignesh Shivan. Fans and industry insiders are keenly watching how the situation unfolds, hoping for an outcome that respects both artistic expression and legal frameworks.
