Dhanush sues Nayanthara over use of Naanum Rowdy Dhaan footage in Netflix documentary
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Actor and producer Dhanush has filed a civil lawsuit against actress Nayanthara, her partner Vignesh Shivan, and their production company Rowdy Pictures Private Limited for allegedly using footage from her film Naanum Rowdy Dhaan that he produced in her Netflix documentary Nayanthara: Beyond the Fairy Tale.
The lawsuit also names Los Gatos Production Services India LLP, Netflix’s Indian content entity, seeking permission to sue within the jurisdiction of the Madras High Court.
The conflict, which surfaced on November 16, began when Nayanthara accused Dhanush of refusing to issue a No Objection Certificate (NOC) for her documentary, delaying its release by two years. Nayanthara claimed that Naanum Rowdy Dhaan footage, produced by Dhanush’s Wunderbar Films, was used sparingly in the documentary's trailer, including three seconds of behind-the-scenes clips shot on personal devices.
In an open letter, Nayanthara criticised Dhanush, alleging that his actions reflected poorly on his character. “This is an all-time low from you,” she wrote, adding that his refusal to provide an NOC may be justified legally but lacked moral grounding.
Dhanush’s legal team, however, maintains that the use of footage without prior approval violates copyright laws. They have also filed the suit against Los Gatos Production Services India LLP, which oversees Netflix’s investments in India.
Despite the legal battle, Nayanthara: Beyond the Fairy Tale premiered on Netflix on December 18. The documentary explores the actress’s life and career, as well as her relationship with filmmaker Vignesh Shivan.
