Dhanush’s civil lawsuit against Nayanthara has escalated, drawing significant attention as the Madras High Court has asked the actress to submit her response in the next hearing.
This case has its roots in allegations from Dhanush’s production company, Wunderbar Films Private Limited, claiming unauthorized use of visuals from the 2015 Tamil film Naanum Rowdy Dhaan (NRD) in Nayanthara’s Netflix documentary, Beyond the Fairytale. The suit also includes allegations against Nayanthara’s husband, director Vignesh Shivan, who helmed the movie NRD.
The Core Allegations
The central claim made by Dhanush is that excerpts from NRD were used without permission in Nayanthara’s Netflix documentary, which provides an intimate look into her life and career.
According to reports, this usage was done without securing rights from either Dhanush or Wunderbar Films. The legal suit also seeks to include Los Gatos Production Services India LLP, a company responsible for managing Netflix’s content investments in India.
In response to these allegations, Dhanush demanded compensation of Rs 10 crore and asked for the immediate removal of the allegedly unauthorized footage from the documentary. Legal sources have confirmed that the court has acknowledged jurisdiction over the case, given that a significant part of the dispute originated within its purview. This acknowledgment sets the stage for an intensified legal battle.
Nayanthara’s Response and Legal Defense
After receiving the legal notice, Nayanthara took a public stand, penning a detailed three-page letter addressing Dhanush’s allegations. In her letter, she criticized him for harboring a grudge against her for personal reasons, accusing him of escalating a matter that could have been resolved amicably. She further defended herself by claiming the footage in question was derived from private sources rather than NRD’s original production.
Adding to her defence, Nayanthara alleged that the footage was unjustly classified as proprietary material. Her legal team has been preparing a formal response to Dhanush’s claims, which will be presented in the next hearing as directed by the court.
Impact on the Industry
This public feud between two of South India’s biggest stars has become the talk of the town, particularly because it involves Netflix, a global streaming giant, and questions about copyright in the digital age. The Madras High Court’s handling of this case could set a precedent for how intellectual property disputes involving major film productions and international platforms are resolved in the future.
Nayanthara’s supporters argue that the lawsuit is an overreach, aimed more at tarnishing her reputation than addressing genuine copyright concerns. Dhanush’s camp, however, maintains that the suit is a necessary step to protect intellectual property rights in an industry often plagued by unauthorized use of creative content.
Recent Developments
Amid this legal tussle, both actors recently attended the wedding of a prominent producer, Akash Baskaran. Despite being seated close to each other, they reportedly avoided any interaction, further fueling speculation about the strained nature of their relationship.
With the case gaining traction in the media, industry insiders are keenly observing how this legal battle will unfold. For now, the court’s directive for Nayanthara to respond formally adds another layer of complexity to the case. Whether this dispute will reach an out-of-court settlement or proceed to trial remains to be seen, but it has already left a mark on the reputations of everyone involved.
The next hearing is expected to shed more light on the claims and counterclaims, offering a clearer picture of the legal boundaries surrounding the use of cinematic material in personal or promotional projects. Fans and critics alike will be watching closely as this high-profile case progresses.
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