The controversy surrounding Nayanthara: Beyond The Fairytale, the Netflix documentary on actor Nayanthara, has intensified as the Madras High Court has now issued legal notices to the documentary’s producers. Tarc Studio LLP and Netflix Entertainment Services India LLP are facing allegations of copyright violation for using footage from the 2005 Tamil film Chandramukhi without permission.
AP International Files Copyright Plea
The plea was filed by AP International, the company holding the audio and song video rights to Chandramukhi. The company claimed that the documentary used scenes from the film without obtaining the necessary licenses. According to the complaint, the producers allegedly used footage sourced from YouTube rather than directly acquiring rights. AP International stated they had already issued a cease and desist notice and demanded ₹5 crore in damages.
Request for Permanent Injunction and Content Removal
Following the legal notice, AP International is now asking the court to issue a permanent injunction that prevents the producers from further using Chandramukhi footage. They are also seeking the removal of all segments in the documentary that include visuals from the film.
This development comes after Sivaji Productions, the original producers of Chandramukhi, clarified earlier this year that they had granted a No Objection Certificate (NOC) and were not involved in any ₹5 crore lawsuit against Nayanthara or the producers.
Earlier Dispute Involving Dhanush
This is not the first legal challenge faced by the documentary. Earlier, actor Dhanush filed a ₹10 crore lawsuit against Nayanthara and the producers for using clips from the 2015 film Naanum Rowdy Dhaan without his permission. The film, which was produced by Dhanush and directed by Vignesh Shivan (Nayanthara’s husband), was featured in the documentary despite his objections. Dhanush had reportedly refused to grant permission, which led to further tensions between the two actors.
About the Documentary
Nayanthara: Beyond The Fairytale premiered on Netflix in November 2024. The documentary focuses on the personal and professional journey of the actress, who is now married to filmmaker Vignesh Shivan and is a mother to twin sons. While the project aimed to celebrate her stardom and legacy, it has instead been plagued by a series of legal hurdles and controversies since its release.
As legal battles continue to unfold, the documentary remains under scrutiny, and the producers may be forced to make further edits depending on court outcomes.
