November 16, 2024: In a stunning twist to an already highly anticipated Netflix documentary, Nayanthara has publicly accused Dhanush of stooping to an “all-time low” after he filed a ₹10 crore copyright infringement lawsuit against her and the makers of Nayanthara: Beyond The Fairy Tale.
It’s a clash that no one saw coming—two of Tamil cinema’s biggest stars, once thought to be on good terms, now locked in a bitter, very public feud. What started as a harmless inclusion of a few seconds of footage from Naanum Rowdy Dhaan, a film produced by Dhanush, has now escalated into a full-blown legal drama. The catalyst? A mere three-second clip in the trailer of Nayanthara’s Netflix documentary, which Dhanush claims was used without proper permission.
The dispute first came to light when Dhanush’s team issued a ₹10 crore copyright infringement claim, demanding compensation for the brief clip of Naanum Rowdy Dhaan, which was part of behind-the-scenes footage shared publicly on social media. This legal notice, filed against Netflix India and the filmmakers behind the documentary, took everyone by surprise, especially given the relatively small amount of footage involved.
But the real shock came from Nayanthara herself, who didn’t hold back in her public response. In a heartfelt, sharply worded letter posted on Instagram, she described Dhanush’s actions as a betrayal of the values he publicly espouses. The actress wrote, “This is an all-time low from you. I wish you were half the person you portray to be on stage in front of your innocent fans.”
For Nayanthara, the issue was more than just legal—it was personal. The footage in question was captured on her personal devices, meant to be intimate behind-the-scenes moments shared with fans. To her, Dhanush’s legal action felt like an attack on her privacy and her integrity, especially since the clip had already been circulating on social media for months.
Vignesh Shivan’s Sarcastic Retort to Dhanush Legal Notice to Nayanthara
As the controversy deepened, Nayanthara’s husband, filmmaker Vignesh Shivan, weighed in with a pointed social media post. He shared an old motivational video of Dhanush, who is known for speaking about love, kindness, and positive energy. In the clip, Dhanush encourages his followers to “spread love.”
But Vignesh’s caption was anything but loving. He sarcastically wrote: “Vaazhu vaazha udu (live and let live), #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.”
In an even bolder move, Vignesh shared the “10 crores video”—the one featuring the controversial three-second clip—for free on Instagram Stories. It was his way of sticking it to Dhanush, allowing fans to view the footage without charge, a direct challenge to Dhanush’s legal threats.
Nayanthara’s Heartfelt Letter: A Personal Attack
In her open letter, Nayanthara couldn’t mask her disappointment. She wrote: “What’s even more shocking 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, her voice tinged with hurt: “This is not about money for me; this is about who I am as a person. This is an all-time low from you and speaks so much about your character. 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.”
It’s clear that Nayanthara feels deeply hurt by Dhanush’s actions, especially given their history. The two have shared a professional bond in the past, having worked together on Naanum Rowdy Dhaan, and have both been long-time figures in the Tamil film industry. To see a relationship once built on mutual respect unravel in such a public manner has clearly affected her.
This is more than just a professional dispute—it’s a family matter. Nayanthara and Vignesh Shivan, who tied the knot in June 2022, are parents to twin sons, Uyir and Ulag. For Nayanthara, this battle feels like an attack on her personal life and the privacy she shares with her family. The couple has always been very private, sharing only glimpses of their personal world with fans, and this public confrontation feels like a violation of that space.
Vignesh Shivan has also been vocal in defending his wife, and in doing so, he’s brought his own reputation into the fray. The fact that the entire issue centers around a brief clip—a mere three seconds—feels trivial to the public, yet the emotions running deep within the couple are undeniable.
The Bigger Picture: The Power of Celebrities and Their Legal Influence
At the heart of this controversy lies a deeper issue: the power of celebrities and the way they use their influence in the age of social media. Dhanush, known for his measured public persona and messages of positivity, seems to have surprised many with this aggressive legal move. Nayanthara, who has always been known for her quiet strength, has now taken to social media to speak out about the hurt she feels.
As much as this is a legal dispute, it’s also a battle of public personas. Who will the fans side with? Will the personal hurt and public accusations change the way we view these stars? For now, the answer remains uncertain, but the emotional stakes are high, and the public fallout is far from over.
What’s Next for Nayanthara: Beyond The Fairy Tale?
As the legal drama unfolds, Nayanthara’s Netflix documentary, Nayanthara: Beyond The Fairy Tale, is still slated for release on November 18, marking the actress’s 40th birthday. What was meant to be a personal celebration of her life and career is now overshadowed by this controversy. Fans and followers alike will be watching closely to see how this story develops—and whether this bitter feud will have any impact on the documentary’s success.
In the end, this isn’t just a fight over money—it’s a war of words, values, and personal boundaries that has brought two of Tamil cinema’s biggest stars to an emotional crossroads. As the battle rages on, one thing is certain: the stakes are higher than ever.
