The South Indian film industry is abuzz with controversy as actress Nayanthara and actor-producer Dhanush find themselves embroiled in a heated legal dispute. The issue revolves around a ₹10 crore lawsuit filed by Dhanush against Nayanthara over her documentary Nayanthara: Beyond the Fairytale.
The Origin of the Fallout
The rift traces back to the 2015 film Naanum Rowdy Dhaan, produced by Dhanush and directed by Vignesh Shivan, who later became Nayanthara’s husband. During the production, budget overruns created tension, with Dhanush allegedly withholding funds to complete the film. Nayanthara reportedly stepped in, using her own money to finish the project, which marked a turning point in her relationship with Vignesh.
The Documentary Dispute
Fast forward a decade, Nayanthara planned a wedding documentary titled Beyond the Fairytale and sought permission to use behind-the-scenes footage from Naanum Rowdy Dhaan. However, Dhanush refused to grant a No Objection Certificate (NOC), citing creative and legal concerns. Despite waiting two years for his approval, Nayanthara proceeded with the project, using a mere three-second clip captured on her personal device.
Dhanush then filed a ₹10 crore lawsuit against her, claiming unauthorized usage of the footage. This action ignited a public fallout, with Nayanthara writing an open letter on Instagram, calling the lawsuit an “all-time low” and questioning Dhanush’s character.
Industry Reactions
In her letter, Nayanthara expressed frustration, stating:
“We were startled to read those lines wherein you questioned the usage of some videos (just 3 seconds) which were shot on our personal devices and that too BTS visuals that are already very much publicly present on social media. This is an all-time low from you and speaks so much about your character.”
The post garnered widespread support from industry colleagues, including Parvathy Thiruvothu, Nazriya, and Aishwarya Lekshmi, who stood by Nayanthara.
Beyond the Legalities
Trade analyst Ramesh Bala shed light on the deeper issues between the two stars. He noted that tensions had been simmering since the Naanum Rowdy Dhaan days, exacerbated by creative differences and a remark made by Nayanthara at an awards event, where she allegedly taunted Dhanush about his lack of appreciation for her acting.
What’s Next?
As the legal battle unfolds, this dispute has highlighted the complexities of personal and professional relationships in the film industry. Fans and peers alike await a resolution, hoping for a truce between these two cinematic powerhouses.
Stay tuned for updates on this developing story!
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