In a scathing open letter addressed to actor Dhanush, popular actress Nayanthara has accused him of sabotaging her much-awaited Netflix documentary by refusing permission to use clips from their hit film Naanum Rowdy Dhaan. The actress, who has built her career from the ground up, alleges that Dhanush’s refusal to issue a No Objection Certificate (NOC) stems from a personal grudge against her and her partner.
Nayanthara’s letter highlights her struggles in producing the documentary, which she says was a labour of love involving many industry friends and collaborators. The documentary, which delves into her life, love, and marriage, should include special clips and songs from Naanum Rowdy Dhaan, a film that remains a fan favourite. However, according to Nayanthara, Dhanush blocked her team’s attempts for over two years to get the necessary approvals, forcing them to re-edit the project.
“Broke My Heart”
“Your refusal to grant permission for even a few seconds of footage or lyrics broke my heart,” Nayanthara wrote, expressing her disappointment over Dhanush’s stance. She hinted that his decision wasn’t driven by business reasons but rather by personal vendetta, especially since the film became a blockbuster hit, much to his apparent displeasure.
The issue escalated after Dhanush allegedly sent a legal notice demanding ₹10 crore in damages for using just three seconds of behind-the-scenes footage in the documentary’s trailer, which Nayanthara claims were shot on personal devices and are already available on social media.
“A Mask in Front of the World”
The actress did not hold back in criticizing Dhanush’s character, accusing him of being two-faced. “I wish you were half the person you portray to be on stage in front of your innocent fans,” she stated, calling out his public image as a humble star while alleging he is vindictive behind the scenes. Nayanthara recalled that Dhanush was reportedly unhappy with the success of Naanum Rowdy Dhaan, with his discontent visible even at award functions following the film’s release.
“Schadenfreude and Spreading Love”
Nayanthara ended her letter philosophically, introducing Dhanush to the German term “schadenfreude” (finding joy in others’ misfortunes) and advising him to embrace positivity instead. She urged him to watch her Netflix documentary to understand the pleasure of celebrating others’ success, emphasizing the importance of spreading love over harbouring grudges.
The letter, which has quickly gone viral, has sparked discussions on social media about industry politics and the challenges self-made actors face like Nayanthara. Fans and industry insiders are waiting to see if Dhanush will respond to these serious allegations or if the legal battle over the documentary will escalate further.
This latest controversy adds a new chapter to the ongoing tensions between two of Tamil cinema’s biggest stars, highlighting the murky undercurrents in the film industry.
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