The controversy surrounding the Netflix documentary ‘Nayanthara: Beyond The Fairy Tale’ continues to escalate. After actor Dhanush filed a lawsuit against actress Nayanthara and the producers, the makers of the 2005 blockbuster ‘Chandramukhi’ have now taken legal action, alleging unauthorised use of copyrighted film footage in the documentary.
According to a report by LiveLaw, the Madras High Court on July 8 issued legal notices to Tarc Studio LLP and Netflix Entertainment Services India LLP in response to a petition filed by AP International, which holds the film’s copyright from the original producers, Sivaji Productions.
What the Petition Alleges:
- The documentary reportedly used footage from Chandramukhi without obtaining a proper license or prior permission.
- AP International, which owns the audio and song video rights to the film (excluding certain formats in a few countries), claimed the documentary pulled clips from publicly available YouTube sources instead of seeking official clearance.
- After a cease and desist was issued, the producers allegedly approached the company only afterward, requesting rights retroactively.
- AP International has now demanded ₹5 crore in damages and sought a permanent injunction to prevent further use of the disputed footage.
- They are also asking for immediate removal of all related clips from the documentary currently streaming on Netflix.
Background on the Documentary:
‘Nayanthara: Beyond The Fairy Tale’ premiered on Netflix in November 2024. It offers an intimate look into the actress’s life, covering her career milestones, relationship with filmmaker Vignesh Shivan, and their journey as parents to twin boys.
This is the second legal challenge the documentary has faced. Actor Dhanush earlier filed a separate case, reportedly raising concerns over his depiction and consent, although details of his complaint remain sealed.
With multiple legal hurdles now surrounding its release, the fate of ‘Nayanthara: Beyond The Fairy Tale’ on Netflix may be uncertain, pending the court’s next hearing and the outcomes of these cases.
