In a rare and candid moment, filmmaker Vignesh Shivan has addressed the high-profile fallout between his family and actor Dhanush. Speaking ahead of the release of his upcoming sci-fi romantic comedy Love Insurance Kompany, Shivan described the collapse of their relationship as his "biggest loss" and expressed deep personal regret over the situation. This follows a period of intense public scrutiny after a legal dispute erupted between Dhanush and Shivan’s wife, actor Nayanthara, over the use of film footage in her Netflix documentary. Nayanthara and Dhanush Avoid Each Other at Wedding Amid Ongoing Feud Over Netflix Documentary (Watch Viral Video).

Vignesh Shivan on His Damaged Relationship With Dhanush

During an interview with Gopinath on his YouTube channel, Vignesh Shivan reflected on the emotional weight of his strained bond with the actor. Shivan revealed that he once viewed Dhanush with a level of respect that bordered on familial.

"I like Dhanush sir a lot. His birthday is on July 28, and on that same day, my father passed away. I feel a fatherly presence in him; I identify him that way," Shivan shared. He went on to admit that the breakdown of their friendship is something he carries with him, stating, "My biggest loss is losing that relationship. That is also something I feel ashamed about. There must have been a mistake somewhere at some point."

Vignesh Shivan’s Memories of the ‘VIP’ Days

The director also reminisced about their earlier years of collaboration, specifically during the production of Velaiilla Pattadhari (VIP). Shivan served as an assistant and lyricist on the project and recalled a time of deep loyalty and professional closeness."I was with him for two years during the VIP shoot. I used to eat only after he ate," Shivan remarked, highlighting the bond they once shared. He suggested that the current animosity is difficult for him to process, adding, "Sometimes, we don’t even understand the situation when something happens between people."

Watch Vignesh Shivan’s Full Podcast With Gobinath:

More About ‘Nayanthara: Beyond the Fairytale’, Dhanush Controversy

The rift between the two parties became a major industry talking point in late 2024. The tension escalated when Dhanush issued a legal notice seeking INR 10 crore in damages from Nayanthara and Vignesh Shivan.

The legal action centred on the alleged unauthorised use of a three-second behind-the-scenes clip from the 2015 film Naanum Rowdy Dhaan, which Dhanush produced and Shivan directed, in the Netflix documentary Nayanthara: Beyond the Fairytale. Nayanthara responded at the time with a scathing open letter, accusing Dhanush of nursing a long-standing "vengeance" against the couple. Nayanthara Comes on Board Salman Khan and Vamshi Paidipally’s Film (See Post).

Moreabout ‘Love Insurance Company’

Despite the lingering personal tensions, Vignesh Shivan is currently focused on the promotional campaign for Love Insurance Kompany (LIK). The film, which stars Pradeep Ranganathan and Krithi Shetty, is a futuristic romantic comedy set in the year 2040. The movie is set for a theatrical release on April 10, 2026.

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(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Apr 06, 2026 03:10 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).