Nayanthara Docu-Drama Twist, Makers Chase Out-Of-Court Peace

Actress Nayanthara’s Netflix documentary, Nayanthara: Beyond The Fairytale, is facing legal hurdles even after its release. AB International, the production house behind her 2005 hit Chandramukhi, filed a lawsuit claiming the documentary used its footage without permission and sought Rs 5 crore in damages. Nayanthara’s legal team, however, is working on an out-of-court settlement to resolve the issue. The next hearing is scheduled for October 6, 2025.

Rahul Dhawan of Lex Chambers said the production house wants to settle directly with AB International and avoid a trial. Meanwhile, the documentary has already faced another dispute with Dhanush’s Wunderbar Films. In November 2024, Dhanush filed a civil suit against Nayanthara, her husband Vignesh Shivan, and their production house Rowdy Pictures, claiming the film used a three-second clip from his movie Naanum Rowdy Dhaan without consent.

The Madras High Court has rejected Netflix India’s petition to dismiss Dhanush’s copyright case. Nayanthara’s team has stated that pleadings are complete and the matter will now move toward trial. The last hearing in August 2025 was not taken up due to a lack of time, and the next court date is yet to be notified.

These legal battles highlight the challenges of making documentaries on stars, especially when incorporating clips from other films. While fans continue to stream Nayanthara: Beyond The Fairytale, the resolution of these disputes will determine how much footage can be shown freely and set a precedent for future docu-dramas in Indian cinema.