Nayanthara: Beyond The Fairytale was supposed to be a tribute. A glossy Netflix feature celebrating one of South India’s most beloved stars. But instead of admiration, the documentary is now buried in controversy and courtroom drama. And with each new development, the project is looking less like a success story and more like Netflix’s most regrettable investment.

The latest blow comes from AP International, the original producers of Chandramukhi, a cult hit from 2005. They’ve taken the matter straight to the Madras High Court, accusing the makers of the Nayanthara documentary of using scenes and songs from Chandramukhi without acquiring any official rights. The most shocking detail? The claim that the footage was sourced from YouTube and inserted directly into the film.

That’s not just an oversight. That’s a potential copyright violation on a global streaming platform. AP International is now demanding ₹5 crore in damages and is calling for a permanent ban on all unauthorized material used in the documentary. Legal notices have already been issued to Netflix India and the production house Torque Studios.

And this is not the first storm this documentary has faced. Earlier, it was entangled in another high profile drama involving actor Dhanush. What was meant to be a heartwarming chronicle of Nayanthara’s personal journey has now turned into a cautionary tale of poor planning and rushed execution.

Strangely, Nayanthara has remained completely silent throughout all of this. No official comment. No social media clarification. Nothing from her or her team. And that silence is only fuelling more speculation. Especially since the Chandramukhi footage had been public knowledge since the documentary dropped. The timing of this lawsuit, nearly nine months after release, is raising more eyebrows than answers. Is this a genuine fight for rights or just pressure tactics aimed at a bigger player like Netflix?

Whatever the truth may be, the damage is already done. What could have been a timeless tribute now reads like a messy footnote in Nayanthara’s legacy. As the legal process unfolds, all eyes are on Netflix and how it chooses to respond. Because in a streaming world where image is everything, this one is beginning to look like a major misstep.

 

For more updates on film controversies, streaming dramas, and everything OTT, follow Binge Moves on Instagram and Facebook.