Actress Nayanthara has released an open letter in response to a legal notice from actor and producer Dhanush, following the upcoming release of her Netflix documentary, Nayanthara: Beyond the Fairytale. The legal dispute centers around the use of clips from the 2015 film Naanum Rowdy Dhaan, for which Dhanush has demanded Rs 10 crore in compensation, citing unauthorized use.
Nayanthara’s letter accuses Dhanush of harboring a long-standing grudge. She writes, “Cinema as we all know is a fight for survival for people like me: a self-made woman with no links in the industry and someone who had to struggle my way to the position I hold today.” She highlights the emotional and professional investment put into her documentary, emphasizing the efforts of her team and supporters: “The release of my Netflix documentary has been much awaited by not just me but so many of my fans and well-wishers.”
The actor expressed her frustration at the multiple attempts to secure permission to use clips from Naanum Rowdy Dhaan, which were met with repeated denials. “After two long years of battling it out with you for an NOC… we finally decided to give up, re-edit and settle for the current version,” she said, calling Dhanush’s refusal a reflection of a personal vendetta.
She added that the songs from the film, cherished by audiences, held deep significance. “The songs of Naanum Rowdy Dhaan are appreciated till date because the lyrics came from true emotions… your refusal to give us the opportunity to use it… broke my heart,” she wrote, expressing disappointment at Dhanush’s continued resistance.
Nayanthara also condemned the timing of Dhanush’s legal notice, which arrived shortly after the trailer release, stating, “What’s even more shocking is your legal notice after the release of the trailer… claiming a sum of Rs 10 crores as damages for the mere 3 seconds. This is an all-time low from you and speaks so much about your character.”
In a pointed critique, she addressed Dhanush’s public persona versus private behavior: “I wish you were half the person you portray to be on stage in audio launches… but clearly, you do not practice what you preach.” She questioned the nature of control exerted by producers in the industry, “Does a Producer become an Emperor controlling the lives, freedom and liberty of all the persons in the set?”
While acknowledging Dhanush’s right to justify his actions legally, she emphasized the moral implications, stating, “Your refusal to give NOC… might be justified by you to the Courts from the copyright angle, but I wish to remind you that there is a moral side to it, which has to be defended in the court of God.”
The letter also delves into past grievances, hinting at Dhanush’s alleged displeasure over the success of Naanum Rowdy Dhaan: “I have not forgotten all the horrible things that you said about the film that was one of your biggest hits as a producer… Your displeasure over its success was perceptible even to common man through award functions connected with this film.”
Nayanthara concluded with a call for empathy and acceptance. “The world is a big place. It’s meant for everyone… It’s okay for people you know to come up in life. It’s okay for normal people with no background in cinema to make it big,” she stated, advocating for joy in others’ successes.
The letter closed on a hopeful note: “There is joy in others’ joys, there is happiness in seeing other people’s happiness and hope that comes from other’s stories… I suggest you also watch [the documentary] and maybe it might change your mind.”
With the release of Nayanthara: Beyond the Fairytale looming, this legal clash has shed light on complex interpersonal dynamics within the film industry. Nayanthara’s response emphasizes resilience and the belief in spreading positivity, hoping for an eventual resolution.