A fallout so explosive, even Ekta Kapoor’s serials would take notes!
In November last year, just days before the release of her Netflix documentary 'Nayanthara: Beyond The Fairytale', the actress dropped a bombshell. In an open letter shared on social media, she accused Dhanush of holding a personal grudge and hinted that he had gone out of his way to make things difficult for her in the industry. That one post set the internet ablaze. Everyone had something to say, and almost overnight, Dhanush found himself painted as the villain. But as always, there are two sides to every story. Dhanush didn’t clap back. And the truth is, this wasn’t the beginning. Their story had started cracking years ago. What began as a small rift eventually turned into a cold war that the public only saw glimpses of.
On Dhanush’s 42nd birthday today, let’s take a closer look at what exactly went wrong between him and Nayanthara. Let me make one thing clear: this has nothing to do with me personally, and the intention here is not to escalate the feud, especially between their fan clubs. Every piece of information shared below is backed by legitimate sources.
At one point, Dhanush and Nayanthara were a golden pair on screen. Their first film together, 'Yaaradi Nee Mohini', was a box office success, with their chemistry capturing hearts across Tamil Nadu. Directed by Mithran Jawahar and produced by Dhanush’s then father-in-law, the film reflected a warm camaraderie between the two actors.
Their respect for one another was evident. In a 2015 interview, Nayanthara praised Dhanush as a “versatile actor” and commended his work ethic. Dhanush, in turn, referred to her as a “game-changer” in the industry. Their professional rapport appeared strong, with no public friction... at least, not back then.
The First Signs of Strain
Trouble, however, may have begun during 'Naanum Rowdy Dhaan', a film produced by Dhanush’s Wunderbar Films, starring Nayanthara and Vijay Sethupathi, and directed by Vignesh Shivan. The movie was a commercial and critical success. But behind the scenes, all was not smooth. Trade analyst Ramesh Bala, speaking to the Times of India, noted that Dhanush was reportedly unhappy with the production exceeding its original budget. Creative and financial disagreements soon surfaced. Around this time, Nayanthara’s relationship with Vignesh Shivan began, and some insiders hinted that Dhanush wasn’t entirely pleased with how things unfolded post-release.
At the 2016 Filmfare Awards, Nayanthara took the stage and quipped, “Sorry Dhanush for disappointing you. I’ll probably make it better next time.” It was a line that many interpreted as a veiled response to Dhanush’s behind-the-scenes criticism. The seeds of discord, though not yet fully visible, had been sown.
(Credit: Wunderbar Films)
The simmering tension finally boiled over on November 16, 2024. Nayanthara posted a scathing three-page open letter on Instagram, directly addressing Dhanush. The trigger was a legal notice from Dhanush’s team, demanding Rs 10 crore in damages over a brief three-second behind-the-scenes clip from 'Naanum Rowdy Dhaan' featured in the trailer of her upcoming Netflix documentary 'Nayanthara: Beyond the Fairytale', set for release just a few days later.
In her letter, Nayanthara accused Dhanush of harboring a long-standing personal grudge against her and Vignesh Shivan. She claimed that he deliberately withheld a No Objection Certificate (NOC) for two years, forcing her team to re-edit the film and exclude any reference to 'Naanum Rowdy Dhaan'. She called his legal action “an all-time low,” ending her note with a sharp remark: “I wish you were half the person you portray to be on stage".
(Credit: nayanthara)
The letter immediately went viral, dominating social media and news cycles for days. Celebrities like Parvathy Thiruvothu and Shruti Haasan publicly supported Nayanthara by liking or sharing her post. And without an iota of doubt, it was the kind of public fallout Tamil cinema hadn’t seen in years.
While Nayanthara poured her heart out in her open letter, Dhanush took a more reserved route. He didn’t respond publicly, but his legal team did. On November 17, 2024, they issued a statement asserting Dhanush’s copyright as the producer of 'Naanum Rowdy Dhaan', demanding the trailer clip be removed within 24 hours or face a Rs 10 crore lawsuit.
Ten days later, Wunderbar Films filed a formal civil suit against Nayanthara, Vignesh Shivan, their company Rowdy Pictures, and Netflix India in the Madras High Court. His refusal to engage in a public war of words earned both admiration and criticism. Some fans applauded his restraint, calling it “grace under pressure.” Others accused him of dodging accountability, allowing Nayanthara’s narrative to dominate the headlines.
Big win for @dhanushkraja Sir 🤩#Dhanush #Nayanthara #CharacterlessLadyNAYANTHARA pic.twitter.com/BGUgnflJOI
— Dhanush Fans Team (@DhanushFanzTeam) January 29, 2025
(Credit: Actor Dhanush Fans)
Though Dhanush’s legal approach may have centered on copyright, the emotional weight of Nayanthara’s open letter meant that public perception remained largely in her favor.
As expected, the internet erupted. Hashtags like #NayantharaVsDhanush took over X (formerly Twitter). Supporters of Nayanthara praised her courage for speaking out, while Dhanush’s loyal fans defended his actions, accusing her of using the controversy to promote her documentary. Several actors who had worked with Dhanush subtly sided with Nayanthara, liking her post or making cryptic comments online. The absence of Dhanush’s voice only added to the speculation. The entire episode underscored how fan wars and one-sided narratives can quickly take over a sensitive issue, making balanced reporting more essential than ever.
As of July 2025, the drama is far from over. The personal distance between the two stars was visible at a recent wedding in Chennai, where they reportedly kept their distance, barely acknowledging each other. While reconciliation seems unlikely, both have continued to focus on their work; Dhanush with 'Kuberaa", and Nayanthara riding high on the success of her documentary. The industry watches with cautious curiosity, wondering if this feud will ever find closure.
Happy birthday, Dhanush. May your journey continue to inspire.
