Madras HC sends notice to Nayanthara doc makers

The Madras High Court has issued notices to the makers of Nayanthara: Beyond the Fairytale and the OTT platform streaming it, following a copyright plea by AP International, a film distribution company.

AP International claims that the documentary, which explores the life and career of actress Nayanthara, includes clips from the 2005 Rajinikanth-starrer Chandramukhi without permission. Nayanthara had played a key role in the film, and AP International holds the copyright for its distribution.

According to the plea, the documentary allegedly used video excerpts directly sourced from AP International’s official YouTube channel, without acquiring proper rights or a licence. The company also stated that it had earlier issued a cease-and-desist notice to the producers, asking them to stop using the clips.

Despite the producers reportedly reaching out to negotiate digital rights after receiving the notice, no agreement was reached between the two parties. AP International is now seeking ₹5 crore in damages and has also requested a permanent injunction to remove the infringing portions of the documentary.

The case is currently under the court’s consideration, and further updates are expected following responses from the documentary's production team and the streaming platform. The legal move highlights ongoing issues surrounding intellectual property rights and digital content usage in the entertainment industry.