Mumbai: Popular actor and filmmaker Dhanush has reportedly found himself in legal trouble after production house Thenandal Films served him a notice seeking ₹20 crore in compensation. The controversy is based on the unofficially long-held film project called Naan Rudran which was announced almost ten years ago but never reached the ground. The makers have attributed the huge financial losses associated with the long delay and assert that the project has stalled because of the failure of the actor to honor his promises.
According to reports from OneIndia Tamil, Dhanush had signed Naan Rudran in 2016 and had agreed to both act in and direct the film. The production house was also reported to have undergone several modifications in the project plan over the years. But this time they claim that Dhanush failed to deliver the full screenplay and this is what led to the film being indefinitely held.
Why Thenandal Films Is Seeking ₹20 Crore
In the legal notice sent through their counsel, advocate A Chidambaram, the production house has claimed that they invested heavily in the project during its early stages. According to the complaint, about ₹20 crore has been used as advance payments and initial production costs. The producers further claimed that they had paid money in onboarding actors such as Nagarjuna Akkineni and SJ Suryah who were supposed to have played important roles alongside Dhanush.
The notice further alleges that the project was stalled midway because Dhanush chose to prioritise other films. It asserts that he provided call sheets to various projects and failed to finish work on Naan Rudran, which caused a huge delay and accumulating financial losses to the makers.
Citing these setbacks, Thenandal Films is demanding monetary compensation to recover their investments. The production house has also warned that they will initiate further legal action if their demands are not met within the given timeframe.
So far, Dhanush has not released any official statement addressing the allegations. His silence has only added to the speculation surrounding the controversy.
Dhanush’s Recent and Upcoming Projects
On the work front, Dhanush was last seen in Kuberaa, Idli Kadai, and Tere Ishk Mein in 2025. Among these, Tere Ishk Mein, a romantic drama also starring Kriti Sanon, received mixed reviews from audiences and critics. In spite of the mixed reception, the movie was able to finish its theatrical engagement with a global income of ₹161.96 crore. The plot was about a man, Shankar, whose life goes dramatic following a heartbreak break up.
Looking ahead, Dhanush will next appear in Kara, directed by Vignesh Raja and produced by Dr Ishari K Ganesh. The movie will be released in theatres this summer but the exact date of release has not been announced. Moreover, he has one more much-awaited project provisionally named, D55, which will be directed by an Amaran director Rajkumar Periasamy.
As the legal dispute with Thenandal Films unfolds, all eyes will be on whether Dhanush chooses to break his silence and clarify his stand on the stalled Naan Rudran project. Up until now, the controversy remains a hot topic of debate in the film industry and among viewers.
Also Read | O’ Romeo Day 1 Box Office: Shahid Kapoor’s Action Romance Sees Late Surge, Ends at Rs 8.25 Crore
