Nayanthara: Beyond The Fairy is a documentary on Tamil star actress Nayanthara, with a feature from her filmmaker husband Vignesh Shivan. A Tarc Studio LLP production, the OTT documentary premiered on Netflix on November 18, 2024. Two days before its release Nayanthara released a three page open statement with some strong words for Tamil star actor Dhanush. 

Nayanthara's line 'The vengeance that you (Dhanush) have been festering against the film, my partner and I, doesn't just affect us but the people who have given their effort and time towards this project' particularly caught everyone's attention since it revealed of a rift between Dhanush and the Nayanthara, Vignesh Shivan couple, who have all been former co-workers, and friends. 

While Nayanthara and Vignesh Shivan claimed that Dhanush, as the producer of Naanum Rowdy Dhaan movie, sent them a copyright notice of Rs. 10 Cr. hindering the release of the Netflix documentary, many found this whole shtick to be a publicity stunt for the marketing of Nayanthara: Beyond The Fairytale.

This suspicion stemmed from various facts like Nayanthara not having a film release in 2024, her last two Kollywood releases not leaving a mark with the Tamil audience, Dhanush having a good rapport with team Netflix (yes, some people believed he was in on the stunt, and that the Nayanthara-Dhanush combo were having a laugh at the audience's expense), the controversy breaking in time for the documentary's release yet not hindering it, and Nayanthara, Vignesh Shivan's grand wedding which was the highlight of the documentary being a whole two years old (ergo publicity was required to reinvoke interest), among other things. 

Some also viewed the incident as Nayanthara wanting a free use of Dhanush-owned intellectual property, when she herself was making money by selling her documentary to Netflix. Nayanthara has now refuted these claims by revealing details that were not mentioned in her letter. 

In an interview with The Hollywood Reporter India, Nayanthara has said that while it is true that Dhanush refused them the No-objection certificate to use Naanum Rowdy Dhaan stills, footages, music, or lyrics, the actor never gave them a reason why. Nayanthara has also said that she directly reached out to Dhanush's manager to help her connect with the actor, so that she could know what was stopping Dhanush from giving Nayanthara an NOC.

Nayanthara says that call with Dhanush never happened, and she and Vignesh Shivan made their peace with not having Naanum Rowdy Dhaan related anything in the documentary. The actress also states in this interview that the controversy is 'not about money', insinuating that money was step no: 2 after the NOC. Nayanthara however doesn't make any comment on if she and Vignesh Shivan would have been willing to pay Dhanush his dues, had the actor given them the NOC but with a price tag. 

Mumbai based Ormax Media which tracks audience and viewership has told THR India that Nayanthara: Beyond The Fairytale garnered 5 million views in the first two weeks of streaming on Netflix. They have said this number is huge in comparison to other documentary movies, which garner an average of 4-6 million views in their lifetime span on OTT. Speaking on whether her rift with Dhanush was a publicity stunt to make this happen, Nayanthara said,

"Nayanthara: Beyond The Fairytale was never about numbers. We are definitely grateful that it became such a huge hit, and it was trending No: 1 and all that. But all that is like a bonus.. I don't think I've had this response even for a film that I've done.. (the documentary) was always about hope. 

 

It (rift with Dhanush) was never meant to be a controversy. The legal notice (from Dhanush) was sent at that time (post the documentary trailer's release on November 9, 2024), we took 2-3 days to evaluate if we want to do something like this (releasing an open letter) or not.. I am not someone who would want to tarnish someone's image just for the sake of publicity. 

 

There are a lot of people who have supported us largely, but there are also a lot of people who are supposedly his (Dhanush's) fans, or his well wishers which is fine. But for them to say that we did it as a PR for the film, I don't think that was the intention at all. It never even crossed our minds. And the film is a docu which doesn't come in the bracket of a hit or a flop. 

 

The controversy happened because I spoke out. I wanted to speak in public. I personally genuinely tried to reach out to him (Dhanush), so that I can have a genuine answer why (the NOC was not being given)..None of that really worked..Then it came to a point where we did not want to use the Naanum Rowdy Dhaan clips, because both of us Vignesh and I thought it is ok for him to not give the NOC because it is his (Dhanush's) rights. It (Naanum Rowdy Dhaan) is his film. 

 

We wanted four lines which would sum up our life, our love, the kids we have, all those things, for which we tried really really hard (to get permission of use). It was important because it would sum up our whole life and that's what we were trying to get. I am not someone who would generally call or disturb someone for help, and I genuinely thought he (Dhanush) would be the first one to say ok because we have been really good friends..I don't know where or how it changed in the past 10 years. 

 

I just wanted to get on a call with Dhanush knowing they didn't want to give me the NOC for those four lines too, just to know why he was so angry with us, or if he was angry with us. But even when that didn't happen, I wasn't angry with Dhanush. Vignesh just made another song. Even after that when Nayanthara: Beyond The Fairytale trailer released, when BTS footage that was captured on our phone was part of it, what people don't understand is BTS is a part of the (IP/copyright) contract only now. Ten years ago people were randomly capturing pictures and taking videos on their phones. 

 

This was the thing that we used (in the docu and its trailer). Anyone who is a little bit sorted would have let it be.. For a personality like Dhanush who is such a reputed actor, who has so much love and respect from people, we have the same love and respect for him to come to something like this (demanding Rs. 10 Cr. in legal damages for BTS footages shot on personal devices) which is unfair, I had to speak out. The courage (for me to hit him with an open letter) only comes from the truth."