Mumbai: A brewing controversy has emerged between actress Nayanthara and actor-producer Dhanush over the usage of footage in the upcoming Netflix documentary, 'Nayanthara: Beyond the Fairy Tale'. The dispute centers on clips from the film 'Naanum Rowdy Dhaan' allegedly used without authorization, leading to Dhanush issuing a legal notice demanding compensation.
Nayanthara addressed the issue in a detailed social media post, accusing Dhanush of attempting to block the documentary's release. She alleged that his refusal to grant permission for the use of clips from 'Naanum Rowdy Dhaan', a significant film in her career, was rooted in personal grievances rather than professional reasons.
The actress expressed her disappointment over the two-year-long effort to secure a No Objection Certificate (NOC) for the documentary. Despite re-editing the project to exclude the disputed content, Dhanush sent a legal notice after the release of the documentary's trailer. She described this move as vindictive, claiming it included a demand for ₹10 crores in damages over a mere three seconds of behind-the-scenes footage, which she stated was publicly available on social media at the time.
Nayanthara further criticized Dhanush, alleging his actions were driven by ego and unresolved resentment. "I wish you were half the person you portray to be on stage in audio launches in front of your innocent fans but you do not practice what you preach, at least not for me and my partner,” she wrote.
Reflecting on their past collaborations, she pointed to 'Naanum Rowdy Dhaan' as one of Dhanush's major successes as a producer, but claimed his comments during the film's release had caused lasting scars. She accused him of harboring a grudge against her and her partner for their subsequent successes.
In her statement, she lamented what she described as an abuse of power by producers in the industry, questioning whether they held ultimate control over the lives and liberties of those working on a film. She also highlighted the efforts of the team behind the documentary, who had to overcome numerous challenges to bring the project to life.
Nayanthara concluded her remarks with a plea for Dhanush to make peace with her and others who have risen in the industry despite their lack of connections. She called for acceptance and mutual respect, emphasizing that success is not limited to those with privileged backgrounds in cinema.
With IANS inputs