Madras High Court Rejects Netflix's Plea To Dismiss Dhanush's Copyright Claim

The intervention of Netflix India in the legal row between actors Dhanush and Nayanthara over the copyright claims on the latter’s documentary series, Nayanthara: Beyond the Fairytale, has witnessed momentum. The Madras High Court has rejected the streaming platform’s plea to dismiss the case.

The legal row faced by the Netflix documentary and the open letters shared by actors on social media created a huge buzz among the audience. Now, the Madras High Court has dismissed Netflix India’s application to reject the copyright suit by Dhanush for using footage from Naanum Rowdy Dhaan in the documentary without a no objection certificate (NOC) from him.

Dismissing the application, Justice Abdul Quddhose said that the court would hear the interim application filed by Dhanush’s Wunderbar Production, seeking a stay against the documentary series, on February 5.

Read Also: ‘Chandramukhi’ Makers Deny Claims of Demanding Rs 5 Crore From Nayanthara

However, Netflix reportedly argued that the picture of Nayanthara and Vignesh Shivan from the movie was uploaded in 2020, but no action was taken then. The streaming platform also highlighted that the complaint was filed one week after the documentary was released, showing no urgency.

In response to this, Dhanush’s counsel argued that an official email was sent against the footage usage back when the trailer of the Netflix show was released, but it was paid no heed.

Notably, the counsel also argued that even the costumes and hairstyles of the character belonged rightfully to the production house.

Since the company through which Netflix is operating in India is based in Mumbai, the Kubera actor moved an application under Section 12 of the Letter Patent Act seeking to allow him to sue the company along with other respondents before the Madras High Court.

Read Also: Nayanthara Thanks Shah Rukh Khan And Others For Issuing NOC Certificate

In November, Dhanush’s Wunderbar Films Private Limited filed a suit against Nayanthara, Vignesh, and their Rowdy Pictures Private Limited. The lawsuit claims that they have used certain visuals from Naanum Rowdy Dhaan in the Netflix docudrama Nayanthara: Beyond the Fairytale.

Dhanush’s company has also taken out an application urging the High Court to grant permission to sue Los Gatos Production Services India LLP, an entity through which Netflix reports its content investments in India.