Actor Dhanush has reportedly found himself in legal trouble after production banner Thenandal Films issued a legal notice seeking ₹20 crore in compensation over a long-delayed film project. The dispute revolves around a movie titled Naan Rudran, which was announced nearly a decade ago but never materialised.
According to reports, the project was initiated in 2016, when Dhanush allegedly signed on not only to play the lead role but also to direct the film. At the time, the collaboration generated significant buzz in the Tamil film industry. However, the film reportedly failed to move beyond the early stages of development.
As per a report by Oneindia Tamil, the production house has claimed that despite initial agreements and preparations, Dhanush did not proceed with the project as planned. The legal notice, issued through the company’s counsel, alleges that while Thenandal Films agreed to certain changes proposed by the actor during development, he ultimately failed to provide a complete screenplay. This, they claim, resulted in the project being stalled indefinitely.
The complaint further states that the banner invested close to ₹20 crore in advance payments and pre-production expenses. The production house has also alleged that payments were made to other actors, including Nagarjuna Akkineni and S. J. Suryah, who were expected to feature in the film alongside Dhanush. With the film remaining incomplete, the producers claim to have suffered substantial financial losses.
In the legal notice, advocate A. Chidambaram reportedly stated that the project was left midway because Dhanush prioritised other film commitments by allocating his call sheets elsewhere before completing work on Naan Rudran. The production house has now demanded monetary compensation to recover the funds invested during the initial stages of production. It has also warned that further legal action may be initiated if the compensation is not paid within the stipulated timeframe.
As of now, Dhanush has not issued any public statement addressing the controversy. The actor has maintained silence on the matter, leaving fans and industry observers awaiting his response.
On the professional front, Dhanush has had a busy few years. He was last seen in Tere Ishk Mein, a romantic drama that starred Kriti Sanon opposite him. The film received mixed reviews from critics and audiences but managed to complete its box office run with a worldwide gross of approximately ₹161.96 crore. The story followed Shankar, a man grappling with emotional turmoil after a painful breakup, showcasing Dhanush’s trademark intensity in romantic roles.
In addition, he appeared in projects such as Kuberaa and Idli Kadai in 2025, further cementing his presence across industries. Looking ahead, Dhanush is set to star in Kara, directed by Vignesh Raja. The film is being produced by Ishari K. Ganesh and is expected to release in theatres this summer, although the exact date has yet to be announced.
He also has another project tentatively titled D55 in the pipeline. The film will be helmed by Rajkumar Periasamy, best known for directing Amaran. With multiple films lined up, Dhanush continues to remain one of the most sought-after actors in Indian cinema, even as the legal dispute with Thenandal Films unfolds.
Whether the issue will be resolved amicably or escalate further remains to be seen. For now, the controversy has cast a spotlight on a project that never reached the screen but may now find its conclusion in court rather than cinemas.