Dhanush Demands ₹20 Cr? Vetrimaaran Reacts Strong

What started as excitement over a sequel has now spiraled into controversy. Following the success of Vada Chennai, the combination of Dhanush and director Vetrimaaran became one of Tamil cinema’s most celebrated. When Dhanush recently confirmed at a film festival that Vada Chennai 2 is likely to release next year, fans were thrilled. But soon after, buzz began spreading online that Dhanush had demanded ₹20 crore for the sequel’s copyright, a claim that quickly took social media by storm.

Adding fuel to the speculation, Vetrimaaran also released a video announcement for his next film starring Simbu, set in the same gritty North Chennai backdrop. That move led to confusion. Was Simbu replacing Dhanush in the sequel? Was this a different story altogether? The rumors only intensified when the ₹20 crore copyright demand began circulating, suggesting a fallout between the two longtime collaborators.

Vetrimaaran, not one to usually respond to gossip, finally broke his silence. He clarified that his upcoming project with Simbu is not Vada Chennai 2, but a separate film set in a similar zone. He acknowledged that if the story overlaps with the tone or characters of the original, he would respectfully seek Dhanush’s permission. More importantly, he dismissed the money talk outright. “Dhanush never asked for money. He said, ‘Do whatever you feel is right, and we’ll provide a no-objection certificate,’” Vetrimaaran revealed, putting the record straight.

The director also admitted that the rumors have taken an emotional toll. “These things hurt,” he said. With Dhanush and Vetrimaaran’s collaboration being one of Tamil cinema’s most respected creative bonds, the public narrative shifting toward a money dispute is clearly unsettling. For now, both seem focused on their individual projects, but the doors to Vada Chennai 2 still appear wide open, free from bad blood or price tags.