Actor Dhanush, through his production company Wunderbar Films, has asserted exclusive copyright over the characters and costumes in the 2015 film Naanum Rowdy Dhaan. This claim comes in the wake of a legal dispute with actress Nayanthara, who used 28 seconds of behind-the-scenes footage from the film in her Netflix documentary Nayanthara: Beyond the Fairytale without permission.
The case is currently before the Madras High Court, where Senior Advocate PS Raman, representing Wunderbar Films, argued that the use of the footage violated the Copyright Act, 1957, and highlighted that the agreement between the production house and Nayanthara grants them exclusive rights over all aspects of the film, including costumes. Meanwhile, Netflix, a co-defendant in the case, has filed a petition to dismiss the lawsuit, questioning the jurisdiction of the Madras High Court. They propose that the matter should be heard in Kanchipuram or Mumbai, where Netflix is registered.
Nayanthara, in response, publicly criticized Dhanush’s legal action, accusing him of personal grievances and revealing that she had sought permission to use the footage for two years before resorting to including the clip in her documentary.
With the Madras High Court reserving its final order, the entertainment industry and fans alike are eagerly awaiting the resolution of this high-profile legal dispute.
