After actor, producer and director Dhanush sent a legal notice to Nayanthara demanding Rs 10 crore as compensation for the unauthorized use of certain clips in her upcoming Netflix documentary, Nayanthara: Beyond the FairytaleNayanthara responded with a lengthy Instagram post refuting the allegations.

Directly targeting Dhanush, Nayanthara shared a three-page note on her social media handle defending the use of specific images in her documentary. She also expressed disappointment over Dhanush’s refusal to approve the NOC (No Objection Certificate) for the use of songs from the 2015 film, Naanum Rowdy Dhaan.

Check out the post here:

Here is Naynathara’s full note:

Dear Mr. Dhanush K Raja, S/o Kasthoori Raja, B/o Selvaraghavan This is an open letter to you to correct several wrongs.

A well-established actor like you, with the support and blessings of your father and your brother, a good director, needs to read and understand this. Cinema, as we all know, is a struggle for survival for people like me: a self-made woman with no connections to the industry and someone who had to fight my way to the position I have today. I would owe this to my work ethic which is no secret to anyone who knows me, but more importantly, to the goodwill of the audience and my film fraternity.

The release of my Netflix documentary has been highly anticipated by not only me but so many of my fans and well-wishers. It took a whole team of collaborators and film friends to pull the project together through all the difficulties that were thrown at us.

The revenge that you have endured against the film, my partner and I, affects not only us but the people who have put their effort and time into this project. This NetFlix documentary about me, my life, my love and marriage includes clips of many of my industry darlings who have graciously contributed and memories from several films, but unfortunately does not include the most special and important film, Naanum Rowdy Dhaan.

After two long years of fighting with you for a NOC (No Objection Certificate) and waiting for your approval for our Netflix documentary release, we finally decided to give up, re-edit and settle for the current version as you refused to allow the use of Naanum Rowdy Dhaan songs or visual clips, even the photographs to say the least despite several requests.

The songs of Naanum Rowdy Dhaan are appreciated so far because the lyrics came from true feelings, knowing that there is no better music that we could use in our documentary, your refusal to give us the opportunity to use it, or even just lyrics from the songs , broke my heart.

It is understandable if it is business imperatives and monetary matters that require your denial; but it hurts that your decision is only to vent your personal grudge against us and that you have been deliberately indecisive for so long.

What’s even more shocking is your legal notice following the release of the trailer for the Netflix documentary. We were surprised when we read those lines where you questioned the use of certain videos (only 3 seconds) recorded in our personal devices and also BTS photos which are already very public presence on social media and claimed a sum of 10 crores Rs. damage in just 3 seconds. This is an all time low from you and speaks volumes about your character. I wish you were half the person you portray standing on stage at audio launches in front of your innocent fans, but it’s clear you don’t practice what you preach, at least not to me and my partner.

Does a producer become an emperor controlling the life, liberty and freedom of every person on the set? Any deviation from the Emperor’s dictum has legal consequences?

I have received your legal notice and we will respond appropriately by legal means. Your refusal to grant NOC for the use of parts of Naanum Rowdy Dhaan for our Netflix documentary can be justified by you in the courts from a copyright point of view, but I want to remind you that there is a moral side to it, which must be defended in the court of God.

It’s been almost 10 years since the movie was released, and that’s a long time for someone to continue to be this vile while wearing a mask to the world. I haven’t forgotten all the horrible things you said about the film which was one of your biggest hits as a producer and a film that is loved by all even today. The words you said before the release have already left us with some unhealable scars. I learned through movie circles that your ego gets extremely hurt after the movie becomes a blockbuster. Your displeasure over its success was palpable even to common people through award functions attached to this film (Filmfare 2016).

Corporate competition aside, prominent figures in public life generally do not tamper with the private lives of others. Politeness and decency require a big heart in such matters. I think the people of Tamil Nadu, or anyone with a right conscience, would not appreciate such tyranny, even if it comes from an established personality like you.

Through this letter, I only wish and pray that you come to peace with yourself over the success of some people you knew from the past.

The world is a big place. It is meant for everyone. It’s okay for people you know to come up in life. It’s okay for normal people with no film background to make it big. It’s okay if some people make connections and are happy. It doesn’t take anything away from you. It is just an ode to their work, blessings and kindness of people.

You might create a fake story and pack it with punch lines and deliver it in your next audio launch too, but god is watching. I want to introduce a German word into your vocabulary, “schadenfreude” and make sure you don’t taste that feeling with us or anyone anymore.

And indeed, in this world where it is easy to look down on people, there is also joy in the joy of others, there is happiness in seeing other people’s happiness and hope that comes from other people’s stories. That’s the reason for our Netflix documentary. I suggest you watch it too and maybe change your mind. It’s important to #SpreadLove and I hope and pray that one day you too are fully capable of doing so and not just saying
the.

About Namah Shivaya

Watch the trailer of Nayanthara’s documentary here:

Nayanthara’s documentary will focus on her life’s transition from humble beginnings to her rise to superstardom. It will feature accounts from her industry friends and colleagues, including Rana Daggubati, Taapsee Pannu and Nagarjuna Akkineni, as well as her family and husband, filmmaker Vignesh Shivan. The documentary will reveal her work ethic as an artist and her transformation as a daughter, sister, wife and mother.

Nayanthara: Beyond the Fairytale will be streaming on Netflix from November 18.