Nayanthara-Dhanush Rift: What Is The Decade-Long Professional Feud All About?
Tamil cinema’s “Lady Superstar” Nayanthara stirred controversy on November 16 when she published an open letter on Instagram targeting fellow actor Dhanush K Raja. The letter revealed deep-seated animosity, marking a sharp turn in what was once a cordial professional relationship.
Accusations Against Dhanush
Nayanthara accused Dhanush of jealousy toward actors who succeed without industry connections, calling him a “tyrant” and a “small-hearted person.” She alleged he harboured personal grudges against her and her partner, filmmaker Vignesh Shivan. Criticising his public image, she urged Dhanush to “remove the mask” he wears in public and stop pretending to be someone he is not.
Conflict Over Naanum Rowdy Dhaan
At the centre of the feud is the 2015 film Naanum Rowdy Dhaan, which marked a significant milestone in Nayanthara’s career and personal life, as she and Vignesh Shivan fell in love during its production. However, tensions reportedly escalated when Nayanthara’s team sought permission to use footage from the film in her upcoming Netflix documentary, Nayanthara: Beyond The Fairytale.
According to her, multiple attempts were made to secure a No Objection Certificate (NOC) from Dhanush’s team, but he allegedly refused. As a workaround, her team used personal behind-the-scenes (BTS) footage. Matters took a legal turn when Dhanush’s team issued a notice demanding Rs 10 crore in damages for three seconds of footage in the documentary trailer. Nayanthara called the move an “all-time low.”
Legal and Personal Rift
Nayanthara claimed the feud has deeper roots, referencing Dhanush’s displeasure over Naanum Rowdy Dhaan’s unexpected success. She alleged his ego was bruised when the film surpassed expectations, and tensions were apparent at the 2016 Filmfare Awards.
Her letter also criticised Dhanush’s alleged hypocrisy, pointing out the contrast between his public persona of promoting love and friendship and his private actions.
Industry Reactions
Following Nayanthara’s statement, industry figures like Parvathy Thiruvothu, Shruti Haasan, and Dia Mirza voiced support for her, applauding her courage. Meanwhile, Dhanush and his team have remained silent, leaving fans and colleagues divided over the accusations.
The open letter has brought a simmering feud into the spotlight, casting a shadow over two of Tamil cinema’s biggest stars. Whether this dispute escalates further or is resolved amicably remains uncertain, but it has undeniably shaken the industry.
