According to reports, actor Dhanush has been served a legal notice by Thenandal Films and a demand to pay 20 crore to compensate for a project announced in 2016 that was not completed. Reportedly, in the notice, Thenandal Films alleged that Dhanush signed up for a starring role and in a directorial capacity for its film Naan Rudhran. However, it did not materialise as Dhanush exited the project, reportedly agreeing to do another film instead with the banner.

According to the complaint, Dhanush's withdrawal from the project caused Thenandal Films a loss of almost 20 crore, with regard to preproduction expenses and advance payments to actors who were supposed to star in the film, including SJ Suryah and Nagarjuna.

The aforesaid banner also accused Dhanush of backing out of the project for his inability to produce a complete screenplay and his choice to focus more on other commitments, causing a prolonged delay on the project. The notice asked Dhanush to give his confirmation inside a week about fulfilling his earlier commitment by scheduling dates for this project before the completion of the year. Should the actor not respond to the notice within this time, the producer would seek repayment of what it spent on the shelved film and one more crore in damages. The actor has also been cautioned of further legal proceedings in the event that a resolution on the issue does not come.

Recently, Dhanush found himself in the cross hairs of a legal controversy after he sent a legal notice to Nayanthara, star of his 2015 production Naanum Rowdy Dhaan, and Vignesh Shivan, for unauthorised use of behind-the-scenes footage from the 2015 film for their wedding documentary on Netflix. After Dhanush sought 10 crore in damages, the Madras High Court allowed him to start legal proceedings against the streamer, Vignesh Shivan, and Nayanthara.