The Madras High Court has rejected an application by Netflix India seeking dismissal of a copyright infringement lawsuit filed by actor-producer Dhanush’s production house, Wunderbar Films. The lawsuit revolves around alleged unauthorised use of behind-the-scenes footage from the movie Naanum Rowdy Dhaan in Netflix’s documentary Nayanthara: Beyond the Fairytale.
Justice Abdul Quddhose ruled against Netflix India’s plea and scheduled a hearing on Wunderbar Films’ interim injunction application for February 5, 2025.
The Lawsuit
Wunderbar Films, helmed by Dhanush, alleged that Netflix included behind-the-scenes footage from the 2015 movie Naanum Rowdy Dhaan in its 2024 documentary about actress Nayanthara without proper authorisation. Dhanush claimed the footage, along with costumes and set materials, constitutes intellectual property owned by the producer.
Netflix India’s Defense
Netflix India argued that the lawsuit was procedurally flawed because Dhanush sought permission to sue only Netflix India (Los Gatos) and not all defendants, violating the Copyright Act and the Letters Patent Act. The platform also pointed out that the plaintiff had not objected when a photo from the movie set was shared on social media in 2020, raising concerns only after the documentary’s release in 2024.
Netflix further argued that the delayed lawsuit lacked urgency and bypassed the mandatory pre-suit mediation required under Section 12A of the Commercial Courts Act.
Wunderbar Films’ Argument
Senior Advocate PS Raman, representing Dhanush, countered that the intellectual property rights of the producer covered all movie-related materials, including behind-the-scenes footage. He explained that an email had been sent to Netflix after the documentary’s trailer release, asking them to refrain from using the footage. However, the full extent of the alleged infringement only became evident after the documentary’s release, prompting the lawsuit.
What’s Next?
The court has decided to proceed with the case and will hear Wunderbar Films’ interim injunction application on February 5, 2025. The decision to dismiss Netflix’s plea underscores the complexity of copyright disputes in the evolving digital content landscape.
