November 16, 2024: In a new twist to what was expected to be a celebratory release, Nayanthara, India’s ‘Lady Superstar,’ has found herself caught in a heated legal controversy involving fellow actor-producer Dhanush. The dispute has escalated after Dhanush filed a ₹10 crore copyright infringement case against the makers of Nayanthara’s much-anticipated Netflix documentary, Nayanthara: Beyond The Fairy Tale.
The issue? A brief three-second clip from Naanum Rowdy Dhaan—a film produced by Dhanush—was featured in the trailer of Lady Superstar upcoming project. Despite the clip’s fleeting presence, Dhanush has demanded hefty compensation, citing copyright violations for using footage that he claims was not authorized.
In an unexpected turn, the Lady Superstar husband, filmmaker Vignesh Shivan, responded not through legal channels but with a pointed Instagram post. Sharing a motivational video of Dhanush—who advocates spreading positivity and love—Vignesh took a sarcastic swipe at his rival. “Vaazhu vaazha udu (live and let live),” he wrote in the caption, adding: “#spreadLove #OmNamaShivaya at least for the sake of some innocent die-hard fans who believe all of this! I sincerely pray to God for people to change and find happiness in other people’s happiness.”
As if to double down on the situation, Vignesh also shared the “10 crores video”—the one featuring the contentious three-second clip—on his Instagram Stories, encouraging fans to watch it for free, a move that certainly caught attention.
Nayanthara’s Open Letter: A Personal Attack
The situation reached a boiling point when the actress herself shared a heartfelt open letter addressing Dhanush directly. In the letter, the actress expressed shock at Dhanush’s actions, calling his legal notice “an all-time low.” She questioned the legitimacy of the claim, especially given that the footage in question came from personal devices and was already public on social media.
“What’s even more shocking,” Nayanthara wrote, “is your legal notice after the release of the trailer of the Netflix Documentary. We were startled to read those lines wherein you questioned the usage of some videos (just 3 seconds) which were shot in our personal devices and that too BTS visuals that are already very much publicly present on social media.” She continued, condemning Dhanush’s actions as contradictory to the image of kindness and generosity he projects publicly. “This is an all-time low from you and speaks so much about your character,” she added.
The actress didn’t stop there, taking aim at the actor public persona, saying, “I wish you were half the person you portray to be on stage in audio launches in front of your innocent fans, but clearly, you do not practice what you preach, at least not for me and my partner.”
The Backdrop: Nayanthara’s Rising Star
Nayanthara, a superstar of Tamil and Telugu cinema, has built an empire through years of hard work, cementing her place as one of India’s most beloved actresses. Married to Vignesh Shivan in June 2022, the couple is now raising twin sons, Uyir and Ulag, adding a new chapter to their personal story. Their professional journey, however, is far from uncomplicated, especially with the release of Nayanthara: Beyond The Fairy Tale set for November 18—Lady Superstar 40th birthday.
The documentary, which promises an intimate look into the actress’s life and career, was expected to be a celebration of her remarkable journey. However, this legal battle has cast a shadow over its release, sparking discussions among fans and industry insiders about the nature of celebrity conflicts and the complexities of intellectual property in the digital age.
What’s Next for Nayanthara and Dhanush?
With both parties making their views public through social media, it remains to be seen how this legal battle will unfold. While Dhanush has reportedly issued a legal notice to Netflix India, questioning the usage of the footage, the actress open letter paints a picture of a deeply personal dispute that goes beyond mere copyright concerns.
As Nayanthara: Beyond The Fairy Tale gears up for its debut on Netflix, the controversy surrounding the documentary is likely to attract even more eyes. Whether this legal standoff will escalate or subside, one thing is certain: the drama surrounding the actress Netflix docuseries has added an unexpected layer of intrigue to what was supposed to be a joyous occasion for her fans.
As the battle between two of Tamil cinema’s biggest stars continues to unfold, only time will tell if this dispute will end in a courtroom or a heartfelt reconciliation.