Nayanthara took to Instagram on Saturday to address a legal dispute involving Dhanush, accusing him of obstructing the making of her Netflix documentary, Nayanthara: Beyond the Fairytale. The controversy revolves around Dhanush allegedly refusing to grant permission to use clips and music from their film Naanum Rowdy Dhaan in her documentary.
The documentary explores Nayanthara's relationship with filmmaker Vignesh Shivan, tracing their romance back to the filming of Naanum Rowdy Dhaan. The film, produced by Dhanush under his Wunderbar Films banner, played a pivotal role in their love story. Interestingly, the film was initially set to begin production in 2013 with a different cast and producer. However, in 2014, Dhanush recast Nayanthara and Vijay Sethupathi in lead roles, reshaping the project.
In an open letter, Nayanthara expressed frustration over the legal notice sent by Dhanush, which demanded ₹10 crore in compensation for three seconds of behind-the-scenes footage. She stated that the clips in question were from personal devices and had been publicly shared on social media in the past. “Cinema is a fight for survival for people like me, who are self-made,” she wrote, highlighting her journey in the industry without influential connections. She accused Dhanush of harbouring "vengeance" against the documentary and her personal life, emphasising that his actions affected not just her and Vignesh Shivan but also the numerous people who worked on the project.
The actor also revealed that her team had spent two years persistently trying to obtain a No Objection Certificate (NOC) from Dhanush, who refused to approve the use of even photographs or lyrics from Naanum Rowdy Dhaan. “Your refusal… broke my heart,” she wrote, suggesting that his decision stemmed from personal grievances rather than business or legal compulsions. “If it were about business or monetary issues, I might understand. But this feels like a deliberate attempt to vent a personal grudge,” she wrote, referencing harsh words Dhanush allegedly said before the release of Naanum Rowdy Dhaan.
Nayanthara concluded her letter by urging Dhanush to move past any resentment, allowing the documentary, which celebrates her journey, to release without further conflict. She appealed to him on a moral level, hinting at an obligation that transcends legalities for the sake of their shared industry.
Kollywood turned into a battlefield on Saturday, with Nayanthara openly challenging her Yaaradi Nee Mohini co-star. Some actors, notably Dhanush’s previous collaborators, sided with Nayanthara, while others dismissed the controversy as a “marketing strategy” ahead of the documentary’s release on November 18. Meanwhile, writer-director SS Kumaran accused Vignesh Shivan of using the title LIC without his approval, further intensifying the situation.
Naanum Rowdy Dhaan isn’t the only collaboration between Dhanush and Nayanthara. The two also co-starred in Yaaradi Nee Mohini, a romantic comedy that marked Mithran Jawahar’s directorial debut and was a remake of Selvaraghavan’s 2007 Tamil hit, Aadavari Matalaku Arthale Verule.
As audiences await Dhanush’s response, the legal and personal dimensions of this dispute continue to dominate conversations in Kollywood. Nayanthara: Beyond The Fairytale is set to premiere on Netflix on November 18, coinciding with the actor’s birthday. Whether the documentary will shed more light on this controversy remains to be seen.
Nayanthara: Beyond The Fairytale is all set to premiere on Netflix on November 18, on the occasion of the actor's birthday. The actor is also awaiting the release of Test, Mannangatti Since 1960 and is working on Toxic, Mookuthi Amman 2, Dear Students, and a film with Kavin.
