Chennai: Actor and filmmaker Dhanush is facing a legal dispute after production house Thenandal Films issued a notice seeking compensation of approximately ₹20 crore over a stalled film project dating back to 2016.
According to reports, the dispute centres around a film titled Naan Rudhran, for which Dhanush had signed a contract nearly a decade ago. Under the agreement, he was expected to play the lead role as well as direct the project.
Allegations of Project Delay
As per claims made by the production company, the project was halted midway, resulting in significant financial losses. Thenandal Films alleged that Dhanush later withdrew from the film but assured the producers that he would collaborate on a new project.
However, the company stated that delays in script submission and scheduling conflicts subsequently impacted the film’s progress.
The production house claimed that Dhanush did not provide the complete script within the agreed timeframe and prioritised other film commitments, leaving the project indefinitely delayed.
Reported Financial Losses
Thenandal Films asserted that over ₹20 crore had already been invested in pre-production activities. These expenses reportedly included advance payments, set preparations, and arrangements involving artists such as Nagarjuna and S.J. Surya.
The company maintained that the prolonged uncertainty surrounding the film led to substantial financial setbacks.
Legal Notice and Demands
In the legal notice, the production house has reportedly granted Dhanush one week to clarify his position regarding the project.
Specifically, the notice seeks confirmation on whether the actor will allocate dates to complete the film by the end of 2025.
Failure to respond, the company warned, could result in:
- Recovery of ₹20 crore
- Additional ₹1 crore in damages
- Further legal proceedings
- No Official Response Yet
As of now, Dhanush has not issued an official statement addressing the matter.
The actor continues to remain active professionally, with multiple film projects reportedly scheduled to commence in the coming months.
Industry observers note that contractual disputes of this nature are not uncommon, particularly in long-delayed productions.
