Dhanush Served ₹20 Crore Legal Notice by Thenandal Films Over Stalled 2016 Project

Chennai, February 14, 2026 – National Award-winning actor and filmmaker Dhanush has found himself at the center of a legal storm. Prominent production house Thenandal Films has officially served the actor a legal notice, demanding ₹20 crore in compensation. The dispute stems from a high-profile project titled Naan Rudhran, which was initiated nearly a decade ago in 2016 but never reached completion.

The Root of the Conflict: Naan Rudhran

According to the legal notice issued through advocate A. Chidambaram, the production house alleges that Dhanush signed on for Naan Rudhran in 2016, originally committing to both directing and starring in the film.

The studio claims they invested heavily in the early stages, making substantial payments to high-profile co-stars, including Nagarjuna Akkineni and S. J. Suryah. However, the project hit multiple roadblocks. The production house alleges:

• Incomplete Screenplay: Despite several modifications to the production plan, Dhanush allegedly failed to provide a finalized script.
• Broken Promises: When the original plan for Naan Rudhran faltered, the actor reportedly assured the banner that he would collaborate on an alternative project, which also failed to materialize.
• Scheduling Conflicts: The notice explicitly states that the project remained stalled because Dhanush prioritized other commitments, providing “call sheets” to other films while leaving the Thenandal project in limbo.

Financial Demands and Deadlines

Thenandal Films claims to have spent approximately ₹20 crore on advances and pre-production expenses. The studio is now seeking:

1. Full Repayment: The recovery of the ₹20 crore investment.
2. Damages: An additional ₹1 crore as compensation for the prolonged delay and financial strain.

The production house had reportedly set a deadline for the end of 2025 for Dhanush to allocate dates and finish the project. With that deadline now passed, the studio has given the actor one week to respond to the notice and confirm his availability. Failure to do so, they warn, will result in further litigation.

A Pattern of Producer Disputes

This isn’t the first time Dhanush’s scheduling has caused friction within the industry. In July 2024, the Tamil Film Producers Council (TFPC) issued a temporary directive requiring producers to consult them before signing Dhanush, following complaints from multiple studios—including Thenandal Films—regarding incomplete commitments. While a temporary settlement was reached at the time, this new legal notice suggests that those underlying issues remain unresolved.

Current Status and Upcoming Work

As of now, Dhanush has not issued an official statement regarding the ₹20 crore demand. The actor remains one of the busiest figures in Indian cinema, fresh off the success of his recent releases and preparing for his upcoming projects, Kara (directed by Vignesh Raja) and his 55th film, tentatively titled D55.