Dhanush vs Netflix: High Stakes Court Battle Over Nayanthara Documentary Footage


In a significant legal development, the Madras High Court has dismissed Netflix India’s plea against actor Dhanush

regarding the alleged copyright infringement related to the documentary Nayanthara: Beyond The Fairytale. This ruling comes as a victory for the actor, who filed a lawsuit against Nayanthara, Vignesh Shivan, and Netflix over the unauthorized use of behind-the-scenes (BTS) footage from his 2015 film Naanum Rowdy Dhaan in the documentary. The court’s decision has now set the stage for the main copyright case, which will be heard on February 5, 2025.

The Dispute: Copyright Infringement and Unauthorized Use of BTS Footage

The controversy began after the release of the highly anticipated Netflix documentary Nayanthara: Beyond The Fairytale on November 18, 2024. The documentary, which chronicles the personal and professional journey of the popular South Indian actress Nayanthara, delves into her life, struggles, relationships, and rise to stardom in the male-dominated film industry.

However, trouble began brewing when Dhanush’s Wunderbar Productions, which produced Naanum Rowdy Dhaan, discovered that behind-the-scenes footage from their film was used in the documentary without permission. The production house, led by Dhanush, filed a civil suit claiming that the footage was used improperly, and sought compensation amounting to ₹10 crore for the alleged copyright infringement.

According to Dhanush’s legal team, the footage in question was never authorized for use by Netflix or the filmmakers behind Nayanthara: Beyond The Fairytale. This led to the legal battle that would eventually make its way to the Madras High Court.

The Court’s Ruling: A Win for Dhanush

On January 23, 2025, the Madras High Court ruled in favor of Dhanush and dismissed Netflix India’s plea to reject the copyright claims made by Wunderbar Productions. The court’s decision means that Dhanush’s case will now proceed, and the film’s alleged misuse of BTS footage will be examined in detail.

The matter of jurisdiction was raised by Netflix’s legal team, who argued that since Wunderbar Productions’ registered office is located in Kanchipuram, not in Chennai, the Madras High Court did not have jurisdiction over the case. However, the court disagreed with this argument. Advocate General PS Raman, who represented Wunderbar Films, countered by highlighting that the film’s contract with Nayanthara and some portions of the film were shot in Chennai. Additionally, Netflix’s documentary was released across India, including in Chennai, providing a strong basis for the case to be heard in the Madras High Court.

This victory is a critical one for Wunderbar Films, and it has provided them with the momentum to continue pursuing their claims in the upcoming hearings scheduled for February 5, 2025.

The Contentious Issue: Unauthorized Use of Naanum Rowdy Dhaan Clips

The issue at the heart of this legal dispute is the use of BTS footage from Naanum Rowdy Dhaan in the documentary. Prior to the film’s release, Nayanthara had written an open letter to Dhanush, expressing her frustration at his refusal to grant a No Objection Certificate (NOC) for the inclusion of clips from the film. In her letter, she emphasized that the clips were meant to shed light on her journey, and she took issue with Dhanush’s legal stance.

Despite the open letter, Dhanush issued a legal notice threatening to sue Nayanthara and Vignesh Shivan, her husband and the filmmaker behind the documentary, if the footage was not removed. The legal notice stated that Dhanush would seek ₹10 crore as compensation if the clips were used without his approval.

After the documentary was released with the disputed footage intact, Dhanush followed through with legal action, filing a case through his production house, Wunderbar Films Private Limited. In the lawsuit, Dhanush targeted Nayanthara, Vignesh Shivan, their production house Rowdy Pictures Private Limited, and others involved in the film’s production and distribution.

What’s Next? The Future of the Lawsuit

With Netflix’s plea dismissed, the path is now clear for Wunderbar Films to pursue its copyright infringement claims in court. The matter will be taken up on February 5, 2025, where the court will hear arguments from both sides regarding the alleged unauthorized use of the footage.

As the legal battle continues, the film industry and fans alike are eagerly watching how this case will unfold, especially considering its potential implications for other filmmakers, production houses, and OTT platforms in the future. Copyright issues related to unauthorized use of material in digital content are becoming increasingly common in the entertainment industry, and this case will likely set a significant precedent for similar disputes.

The Bigger Picture: Industry Reactions and Concerns

While the case primarily involves Dhanush and Nayanthara, it also highlights growing concerns within the industry regarding creative control and the importance of permissions when it comes to using archival footage or material from other films. With OTT platforms like Netflix gaining immense popularity, the question of who holds the rights to such footage is likely to be raised more frequently.

The outcome of this lawsuit could have a lasting impact on the way filmmakers and streaming platforms handle copyrights and permissions for their projects, especially when incorporating content from other creators.

Legal Disputes in the Digital Age

As streaming platforms continue to dominate the entertainment landscape, the issues surrounding copyright infringement and unauthorized use of content are becoming more prevalent. The case between Dhanush’s Wunderbar Productions and Netflix over the use of Naanum Rowdy Dhaan clips in the documentary Nayanthara: Beyond The Fairytale serves as a reminder of the importance of respecting intellectual property in the digital age.

With the next hearing scheduled for February 5, 2025, all eyes will be on the Madras High Court to see how this legal battle progresses and whether Dhanush and his team will be successful in their pursuit of justice.

With That Note, Kriti Sanon to Star Opposite Dhanush in ‘Tere Ishk Mein’

Actress Kriti Sanon has officially joined the cast of Aanand L Rai’s upcoming film Tere Ishk Mein, where she will star alongside Dhanush. The film, set to release on November 28, 2025, marks their third collaboration after Raanjhanaa (2013) and Atrangi Re (2021).

Sanon, who will play the role of Mukti, shared the news on her Instagram, revealing that her character will be seen alongside Dhanush’s Shankar. The actor also shared a sneak peek of the film’s premise, teasing an intense love story with a connection to the Raanjhanaa universe.

“Some love stories are destined to rise from the flames. Witness Shankar and Mukti in #TereIshkMein. From the #WorldOfRaanjhanaa – an unforgettable story. In cinemas 28.11.2025,” Sanon wrote in her post.

She further expressed her excitement in an Instagram story, where she mentioned the collaboration with director Aanand L Rai and music maestro A.R. Rahman, saying it was a major milestone for her. She also shared her enthusiasm for working with Dhanush, writing, “Really looking forward to collaborating with you @dhanushkraja.”

Sanon was last seen in Do Patti, her debut as a producer.