Sun Nov 17 01:36:18 UTC 2024: **Nayanthara Accuses Dhanush of Seeking ₹10 Crore for 3-Second Video Use in Netflix Documentary**
CHENNAI, INDIA – Actress Nayanthara has accused actor Dhanush of demanding ₹10 crore (approximately $1.2 million USD) in damages for using a three-second video clip from the film *Naanum Rowdydhaan* in her upcoming Netflix documentary, *Nayanthara: Beyond the Fairytale*. The accusation, made in a statement released on November 16th, has sparked considerable controversy in the Tamil film industry.
The documentary, slated for release on November 18th, chronicles Nayanthara’s life, love story, and marriage to director Vignesh Shivan. The trailer, which includes the brief clip from *Naanum Rowdydhaan*, prompted Dhanush, the producer of the 2015 film, to issue a legal notice demanding compensation.
Dhanush’s legal team, represented by lawyer Arun, argues that Wunderbar Films, the production company owned by Dhanush, holds the copyright to all footage from the film’s production, including the three-second clip. They contend that Nayanthara’s use constitutes a copyright infringement. The notice further states that the video was shot by someone employed by Wunderbar Films, and its presence on the company’s YouTube channel for ten years supports their claim. Dhanush’s legal team claims Nayanthara misled Netflix India.
Nayanthara’s statement counters that the use of the brief clip was unintentional and that she had attempted to secure permission for usage from Dhanush for two years without success. She expresses disappointment that the film, a significant milestone in her career, is not fully represented in the documentary due to these restrictions. She also questioned the producer’s right to control the lives and liberties of those involved in a film’s production. Nayanthara states that she will respond legally to Dhanush’s notice.
Several actresses, including Anupama Parameswaran, Anju Kurian, and Aishwarya Lakshmi, have publicly shown support for Nayanthara. However, some social media users are speculating that this is a publicity stunt for the documentary. Vignesh Shivan, Nayanthara’s husband, has shared portions of the legal notice on his Instagram page.
Legal expert Vetrichelvan explained the complexities of copyright law in India, stating that while the copyright typically rests with the producer, exceptions exist for fair use, particularly in academic or research contexts. Whether the three-second clip falls under fair use is yet to be determined. The case highlights the ongoing debate regarding copyright ownership and usage rights in the Indian film industry.
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