Actor-filmmaker Dhanush has reportedly been served a legal notice by Tamil production house Thenandal Films, which is seeking Rs 20 crore in compensation over an unfinished film project announced nearly a decade ago.

The dispute centres on the film Naan Rudhran, which was announced in 2016 with Dhanush set to both direct and star. According to the notice, the project failed to materialise after the actor allegedly withdrew despite assuring the banner that he would complete another film for them at a later date.

Production House Claims Rs 20 Crore Loss

Thenandal Films claims it suffered losses of approximately Rs 20 crore due to the stalled project. The company says it had already incurred substantial expenses, including advance payments and pre-production costs.

Among the expenditures cited are remuneration reportedly paid to actors Nagarjuna and SJ Suryah, who had been attached to the film during its initial planning stages.

The production house further alleges that the project collapsed because Dhanush did not submit a complete script and chose to prioritise other professional commitments, leading to prolonged delays that ultimately forced the film to be shelved.

One-Week Deadline To Respond

In the legal notice, Thenandal Films has asked Dhanush to confirm within one week whether he will honour his earlier assurance by allotting dates before the end of 2025 to complete the project. If he fails to comply or respond, the banner has demanded repayment of the alleged losses along with an additional Rs 1 crore as damages.

The notice also warns of further legal action if the dispute is not resolved within the stipulated timeframe.

Comes After Previous Legal Controversy

The development follows another high-profile legal dispute involving Dhanush in 2024. The actor had sent a legal notice to Nayanthara over the alleged unauthorised use of behind-the-scenes footage from the film Naanum Rowdy Dhaan in her Netflix documentary. He reportedly sought Rs 10 crore in damages, after which the Madras High Court allowed him to initiate proceedings against the streaming platform, the actress and filmmaker Vignesh Shivan.

Separately, Bollywood actor Ranveer Singh is also said to be facing a contractual dispute with Excel Entertainment following his exit from the upcoming film Don 3, with reports suggesting the banner is seeking around Rs 40 crore in damages over pre-production losses.

The legal notice to Dhanush now adds another chapter to a series of high-stakes disputes in the film industry involving stalled projects and contractual obligations.

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