November 18, 2024: The ongoing legal feud between Nayanthara and Dhanush has escalated, with the latter’s lawyer issuing a stern statement demanding the removal of allegedly infringing content from the trailer of Nayanthara: Beyond The Fairytale. The controversy revolves around a three-second behind-the-scenes clip from the 2015 film Naanum Rowdy Dhaan, produced by Dhanush, which is featured in the trailer of Nayanthara’s Netflix documentary.
Dhanush’s Legal Stance
Dhanush’s legal representative responded to Nayanthara’s open letter, asserting that as the producer of Naanum Rowdy Dhaan, Dhanush owns all rights to the footage, including behind-the-scenes material. The statement declared that the actress’ claim about the BTS footage being independently recorded was “baseless” and challenged her to provide proof.
The lawyer also emphasized that Nayanthara’s submission lacked clarity regarding the ownership of the footage and stressed that the content in question falls under the copyright owned by Dhanush as the producer of the film.
Legal Ultimatum
The legal notice issued to Nayanthara and Netflix India demands the removal of the disputed footage within 24 hours. Failure to comply will result in legal proceedings seeking damages worth ₹10 crores. The notice states, “Advise your client to take down the content infringing my client’s copyright over the film Naanum Rowdy Dhaan by using the same in your client’s documentary Nayanthara: Beyond The Fairytale within 24 hours, failing which my client will be forced to initiate appropriate legal action.”
Nayanthara’s Open Letter
The controversy began when Nayanthara penned an emotional open letter accusing Dhanush of refusing to grant a No Objection Certificate (NOC) for the use of the footage despite her team’s two-year-long efforts to secure permissions. She expressed frustration at the legal obstacles and called Dhanush’s actions an “all-time low,” alleging that his lawsuit stems from personal grudges rather than legitimate business concerns.
Documentary Release Amidst Controversy
Despite the ongoing legal battle, Nayanthara: Beyond The Fairytale is set to premiere on Netflix on November 18. The documentary promises an intimate look into Nayanthara’s personal and professional life, including her relationship with her filmmaker husband, Vignesh Sivan.
As the release date approaches, fans eagerly await the documentary, while the industry closely watches how this high-profile legal tussle unfolds.
