Clash of the titans: Dhanush sues Nayan

In an unexpected twist of reel life spilling into real life, actor Dhanush K. Raja’s production house, Wunderbar Films, has locked horns with actor Nayanthara Kurian and her director-husband Vignesh Sivan over a creative dispute that’s now being played out in the Madras High Court. The flashpoint? Alleged unauthorised use of visuals from their 2015 Tamil blockbuster Naanum Rowdy Dhaan in Netflix’s docu-drama Nayanthara: Beyond the Fairytale. The suit, which also names Nayanthara’s production house Rowdy Pictures Private Limited and Netflix’s Indian arm, has sparked conversations about ownership, consent, and the intersection of personal and professional relationships in the entertainment world.

A Love Story Caught in Controversy

For fans, Naanum Rowdy Dhaan isn’t just another hit film; it marks the beginning of a love story between its lead actor, Nayan, and director Vignesh Sivan. The couple, who now helm Rowdy Pictures, revisited their journey in Beyond the Fairytale, a documentary chronicling Nayanthara’s career and personal life. But the heartfelt retelling has come under scrutiny for its use of behind-the-scenes moments from the film, without an NOC (No Objection Certificate) from its producer, Wunderbar Films.

Dhanush’s production house claims the material was used without authorisation. The tension between the former collaborators erupted into public view days before the documentary’s November 18 release, with Nayanthara posting an open letter accusing Dhanush of holding a “personal grudge” against her and her husband.

The Legal Plot Thickens

The case took a formal turn when Wunderbar Films filed a civil suit at the Madras High Court, targeting not just Nayanthara and Vignesh but also Netflix’s India-based entity, Los Gatos Production Services LLP. Since Los Gatos is headquartered in Mumbai, the production house sought the court’s leave to include it in the lawsuit under Clause 12 of the Letters Patent.

In court, senior counsel P.S. Raman, representing Wunderbar Films, argued that the cause of action arose largely in Chennai, where Nayanthara, Vignesh, and Rowdy Pictures are based. Opposing this, senior counsels Sathish Parasaran and R. Partha-sarathy, representing Nayanthara and Netflix, questioned the jurisdictional claims. Justice Abdul Quddhose granted the application to sue Netflix in Chennai but refrained from commenting on the merits of the main case. His ruling emphasized the significant overlap of the dispute within the court’s territorial jurisdiction.

Dhanush’s production house claims the material was used without authorisation

“The visuals amount to only three seconds and were shot on personal devices. Yet, I received a legal notice demanding `10 cr in damages.” — Nayan