As the release date of Nayanthara: Beyond The Fairy Tale approaches on November 18, Netflix finds itself embroiled in controversy. The documentary, which provides a glimpse into the life and career of Nayanthara, has sparked a ₹10 crore copyright claim from actor-producer Dhanush over the use of a 3-second clip from Naanum Rowdy Dhaan. The Tamil film, produced by Dhanush, holds sentimental and professional significance as it was directed by Nayanthara’s husband, Vignesh Shivan, and starred Nayanthara in the lead role.
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In response to the lawsuit, Nayanthara issued a strong statement on her Instagram, accusing Dhanush of acting out of ego and malice. She revealed that her team had spent two years seeking a No Objection Certificate (NOC) from Dhanush to include clips, songs, and photographs from Naanum Rowdy Dhaan in the documentary. However, their efforts were repeatedly denied, forcing the filmmakers to re-edit the project.
Addressing Dhanush directly, Nayanthara wrote, “After two long years of battling it out with you for an NOC and waiting for your approval, we finally decided to give up, re-edit, and settle for the current version. Despite multiple requests, you declined to permit the usage of songs, visual cuts, or even photographs. What’s even more shocking is your legal notice after the release of the trailer…claiming ₹10 crores for a mere 3 seconds of behind-the-scenes visuals shot on our personal devices.”
Calling the legal action an “all-time low,” Nayanthara questioned Dhanush’s motives, accusing him of projecting an image of integrity publicly while acting differently in private. She further criticized his perceived control over the creative outputs of those involved in the film.
“It’s almost been 10 years since the release of the film, and your behavior continues to be disappointing. Your displeasure over its success was evident even during award functions, where your hurt ego was on display,” Nayanthara added.
The open letter concluded with a spiritual touch, as Nayanthara signed off with “Om Namah Shivaya,” suggesting she has made peace with the situation despite her grievances.
Legal and Ethical Debate
While Nayanthara’s letter raises questions about artistic freedom and ego clashes in the industry, supporters of Dhanush argue that copyright law remains clear. As the producer of Naanum Rowdy Dhaan, Dhanush owns the rights to the film and is under no obligation to grant permissions, especially if the request is commercial in nature. Critics of Nayanthara’s stance suggest that her claims of entitlement on “humanity grounds” lack substance, pointing out that neither she nor Vignesh Shivan worked on the film for free.
Further, reports indicate that Vignesh Shivan, as the film’s director, faced criticism for exceeding the movie’s budget significantly, which some allege strained his relationship with Dhanush during production. Dhanush, having borne the financial risk as the producer, may view the inclusion of footage in the documentary as a breach of copyright law rather than an act of goodwill.
A Star-Studded Docuseries
Despite the controversy, Nayanthara: Beyond The Fairy Tale promises an intimate look at Nayanthara’s professional journey and personal life, including her much-discussed romance and wedding with Vignesh Shivan. Featuring appearances by film legends such as Rajinikanth, Shah Rukh Khan, and Mani Ratnam, the documentary explores the highs and lows of her stardom.
While the legal dispute casts a shadow over the release, fans eagerly await the unveiling of Lady Superstar’s untold story. Whether this controversy will impact the documentary’s reception remains to be seen.
