In what can be dubbed as Clash of Superstars, the Tamil film industry has been rocked by the ongoing feud between Nayanthara and Dhanush. Notably, a video clip recorded in 2015 is at the centre of this mega clash. Nayanthara is currently the highest-paid actress of the Tamil industry whereas Dhanush is one of the leading actors, directors, and filmmakers as well as the former son-in-law of Superstar Rajnikanth.
A Netflix Documentary, “Nayanthara: Beyond the Fairy Tale” is all set to be released on the actress’ birthday, 18th November. Ahead of the premiere, the trailer was launched on November 9. Her documentary will revolve around her journey from humble beginnings to superstardom. It will feature her industry colleagues like Rana Daggubati, Taapsee Pannu, Nagarjuna, and her family, including her filmmaker husband Vignesh Shivan.
But ahead of its release, the documentary has brought along with it strained relations between Nayanthara and Tamil actor and filmmaker Dhanush. The feud centres around the use of visuals from their 2015 movie ‘Naanum Rowdy Dhaan’. Nayanthara and Vijay Sethupathi were the main leads in that film. It was produced by Dhanush and his Wunderbar Films.
Dhanush who has the rights to the movie ‘Naanum Rowdy Dhaan’ refused to give permission to use the visuals of the movie in the Netflix Documentary and also went up to send a legal notice demanding a sum of Rs 10 crore for using the behind the scene visuals from the sets of ‘Naanum Rowdy Dhaan’. Responding to the legal notice, Actress Nayanthara on 16th of November lashed out at Dhanush by issuing an open letter to the actor.
Addressing Dhanush, here is what Nayanthara wrote in her open letter
In her open letter addressed directly to Dhanush, the actress condemned what she called the “vengeance” Dhanush has held over the years, particularly regarding the use of clips from their 2015 film. The letter addressed Dhanush’s refusal to allow the use of songs and visuals from the film, despite repeated requests. Nayanthara also expressed her hurt over the legal action taken following the documentary’s trailer release, describing it as a personal vendetta.
In the letter, Nayanthara highlighted that despite several requests being made, Dhanush refused to grant permission for the use of not only the film’s songs and visuals but also even the photographs from the sets. Nayanthara revealed that after two years of trying to secure approval for the documentary, they were forced to re-edit the content and settle for the version that was eventually released.
She accused Dhanush of objecting to behind-the-scenes visuals taken by people on their phones, calling it an “all-time low” and also slammed Dhanush for not practicing what he preaches in public. Furthermore, she stated that Dhanush might justify his refusal from a legal perspective, there is also a moral dimension to the matter, which she believes will be defended in the “court of God.” Till now, Dhanush has not responded to the open letter by Nayanthara.