Actor Dhanush, through his production house Wunderbar Films Private Limited, has filed a civil suit in the Madras High Court against actress Nayanthara, her director-husband Vignesh Shivan, their production house Rowdy Pictures Private Limited, and others. The legal dispute centers on the alleged unauthorized use of visuals from the Tamil movie Naanum Rowdy Dhaan in the Netflix docu-drama Nayanthara: Beyond the Fairytale.
Legal Grounds and Jurisdiction
Since Los Gatos Production Services India LLP, associated with Netflix’s operations in India, is based in Mumbai, Dhanush’s legal team sought permission under Clause 12 of the Letters Patent to bring the lawsuit under the jurisdiction of the Madras High Court. Justice Abdul Quddhose granted leave to proceed with the case, noting that a significant portion of the dispute involved individuals and events tied to Tamil Nadu.
The Dispute Explained
The controversy became public in the days leading up to the release of Beyond the Fairytale on November 18, 2024. In an open letter addressed to Dhanush on November 16 and shared on her social media, Nayanthara alleged that she had repeatedly sought a No-Objection Certificate (NOC) from Wunderbar Films for over two years to include songs, visuals, and photographs from Naanum Rowdy Dhaan in her documentary. She claimed these elements held sentimental value as her relationship with Vignesh Shivan blossomed during the making of the film.
However, she accused Dhanush of withholding the NOC due to personal grievances, further expressing shock at receiving a legal notice demanding ₹10 crore in damages following the release of the docu-drama’s trailer. According to Nayanthara, the trailer featured only three seconds of behind-the-scenes footage captured on personal devices during the movie’s production.
The Case So Far
Advocates representing both parties presented preliminary arguments on Wednesday, November 27, 2024. Senior counsel P.S. Raman, appearing for Dhanush, urged the court to proceed with the case, while senior counsels Sathish Parasaran and R. Parthasarathy, representing Nayanthara and Netflix, opposed the claims. The judge granted permission for the case to proceed without commenting on its merits.
Broader Implications
The lawsuit highlights growing disputes over intellectual property rights in the film industry, especially concerning derivative works like documentaries and behind-the-scenes content. As the case unfolds, it raises questions about the balance between personal narratives and professional copyright.
Fans and industry observers are keenly watching the developments, as the fallout from this high-profile dispute could set significant legal precedents for Indian cinema.