New Delhi: Until now, the documentary Nayanthara: Beyond the Fairy Tale has been in the spotlight for all the wrong reasons—the Tamil star’s public feud with former friend Dhanush, who slapped her with a Rs 10 crore legal notice for using a behind-the-scenes clip from his film Naanum Rowdy Dhaan. But since the documentary dropped on Netflix on 18 November, the conversation has shifted to Nayanthara’s rise to superstardom and how she rewrote the rules for women in cinema.
Fans and stars have plenty to say about the documentary, most of it glowing. Released on on Monday, Nayanthara’s 40th birthday, it showcases her life and marriage to director Vignesh Shivan, who also produced the series. “What an awe-inspiring journey,” wrote one fan on X. Another praised it as a “beautifully made wedding documentary,” while one comment claimed Dhanush’s legal battle was just because he is “jealous of this happy couple”.
The documentary was first announced in 2022, around the time of Nayanthara and Shivan’s opulent wedding. The pair met on the sets of Naanum Rowdy Dhaan (2015), produced by Dhanush, directed by Shivan, and starring Nayanthara. While tensions between Dhanush and Nayanthara were no secret, the feud boiled over when she revealed last week in an open letter on Instagram that he had blocked the documentary’s release for two years. She accused him of hitting “an all-time low” by demanding money and refusing to allow the use of any footage or even photos from Naanum Rowdy Dhaan. Ultimately, the documentary had to be re-edited to remove all traces of Naanum.
But if anything, the controversy has only added to the buzz around the documentary.
Essentially, it’s a homage to Nayanthara, one of the most celebrated female stars in South Indian cinema. It explores how she became the “Lady Superstar” in an industry where grand epithets are usually reserved for men— like Thalaiva (boss) for Rajinikanth or Global Star for Ram Charan. Industry insiders featured in the film unanimously credit Kolamaavu Kokila (2018) as the film that cemented her star image.
Actors Nagarjuna, Rana Daggubati, Tamannaah Bhatia, and Parvathy Thiruvothu offer their takes on what makes Nayanthara special, from her acting skills to her larger-than-life persona. Thiruvothu calls her the “OG girl boss” and points out how Nayanthara made her mark in a time when “being a powerful woman was akin to witchcraft.”
Also Read: Nayanthara-Dhanush are friends turned foe. Legal notice to open letter, a feud gone too far
Woman behind the star
How does a girl born to an Air Force officer and a homemaker become one of South India’s biggest superstars, with a wedding attended by the likes of Shah Rukh Khan and Mani Ratnam?
The 82-minute documentary, directed by Amith Krishnan, answers many such questions about Nayanthara, who became a pan-Indian icon with her breakout role in Atlee’s Jawan (2023).
Styled like Netflix’s The Romantics (2023), which paid homage to Yash Raj Chopra and YRF, the film is less about glitz and more about the woman behind the stardom—including her enigmatic personality and her grand comeback after a much-publicised failed relationship prompted her to take a two-year hiatus.
What sets this ‘fairy tale’ apart is that the woman is the star. And she marries for love and forges her own path as opposed to playing the role of a woman ‘behind the successful man’.
The film has earned many positive reviews, despite the controversy surrounding it, with most impressed with the actor’s life and love depicted on screen. Mahesh Babu shared its poster on Instagram, featuring Nayanthara, Vignesh Shivan, and their two sons, adding three hearts to it. Parvathy Thiruvothu, who appears in the documentary, shared the trailer on her Instagram story and captioned it “Way to bring in your birthday super”. Thirovothu had also earlier reposted Nayanthara’s open letter.
The reactions haven’t been restricted to the South Indian film industry. Janhvi Kapoor wrote on Instagram: “Nothing more inspiring than watching a strong woman be a strong woman.” Gajraj Rao, known for Badhaai Ho (2018), also lavished praise. “What an incredible story of this powerhouse actress, and what a beautiful love story between Nayanthara and Vignesh,” he wrote.
(Edited by Asavari Singh)