November 16, 2024: Nayanthara’s open letter to actor Dhanush has sent shockwaves through the South Indian film industry, revealing a deep personal and professional rift between the two.
The letter, posted on social media on Saturday, accuses Dhanush of blocking her from using footage from their 2015 film Naanum Rowdy Dhaan for her upcoming Netflix wedding documentary. The film, which was directed by Nayanthara’s husband, Vignesh Shivan, and produced under Dhanush’s Wunderbar Films banner, holds significant sentimental value for the actress.
Nayanthara, who has long been regarded as one of the most successful self-made women in the Tamil film industry, was candid in her letter, expressing her frustration over what she described as Dhanush’s “vile” and vindictive actions. She alleged that the actor not only refused to allow the use of the Naanum Rowdy Dhaan footage, but also demanded an exorbitant sum of Rs 10 crore for a mere three-second snippet of the film’s songs.
In the heartfelt letter, Nayanthara writes: “Cinema as we all know is a fight for survival for people like me: a self-made woman with no links in the industry and someone who had to struggle my way to the position I hold today. I’d owe this to my work ethic that is no secret to all who know me, but more importantly, to the goodwill of the audience and my film fraternity.”
The actress further highlights that her Netflix documentary, which documents her life, love, and marriage, has been highly anticipated by her fans and well-wishers. She notes that the project was made possible by a dedicated team of collaborators who contributed their time and efforts, yet Dhanush’s refusal to grant permission for the footage from Naanum Rowdy Dhaan affected not just her, but the entire team involved.
While acknowledging the legal aspects of the issue, Nayanthara emphasized the “moral side” of the dispute, suggesting that Dhanush’s actions were not just a legal matter, but a personal grudge that had lasted for years. She recounted how Dhanush’s dissatisfaction with the film’s success was palpable, and she claims that his ego was hurt when the movie became a blockbuster.
Reflecting on past events, Nayanthara also mentioned the unpleasant experience during the 2016 Filmfare Awards, where she believes Dhanush’s displeasure with the success of Naanum Rowdy Dhaan was evident. She claims that Dhanush made disparaging remarks about the film, which left lasting emotional scars on her and her team.
The actress ended her letter with a call for reconciliation, urging Dhanush to “spread love” and find peace with the success of others. She also referenced the German word “schadenfreude,” which means taking pleasure in the misfortune of others, and suggested that Dhanush should reconsider his attitude towards her and her success.
“I wish to introduce a German word into your vocabulary, ‘schadenfreude’ and ensure that you don’t taste that emotion with us or anyone anymore. I suggest you also watch it and maybe it might change your mind. It is important to #SpreadLove, and I hope and pray that someday you are also fully capable of doing it and not just saying it,” she concluded.
Nayanthara’s candid letter has generated significant buzz on social media and within the film industry, with many fans expressing support for her stance. The letter also sheds light on the complexities of relationships within the industry, particularly when personal and professional matters intersect.
As of now, Dhanush has not responded to Nayanthara’s open letter, leaving the public and industry insiders to speculate about the true nature of their fallout. Despite the tension between them, it is clear that Naanum Rowdy Dhaan remains a significant part of both their careers, and the dispute surrounding the documentary has only added a layer of drama to the already high-profile relationship between the two actors.
