'See a fatherly presence in him': Nayanthara's husband Vignesh Shivan gets emotional over rift with Dhanush, calls it his biggest regret

Vignesh Shivan has candidly spoken about his strained relationship with actor Dhanush, expressing regret over how things unfolded between them. The fallout, which became public in 2024, stemmed from a legal dispute involving Nayanthara’s wedding documentary, but Shivan’s latest remarks reveal a far more emotional and personal side to the rift. During the conversation with Gobinath on his YouTube channel,Vignesh didn’t hold back while reflecting on his connection with Dhanush, describing him as someone deeply significant in his life. “I admire Dhanush a lot. His birthday falls on July 28… the same day my father passed away. In a way, I see a fatherly presence in him and relate to him like that.”

He went on to add: “Losing that bond with my father is my greatest loss… I often feel there must have been a mistake somewhere along the way. In the life I’m living now, Dhanush sir holds a very special place for me.”

The filmmaker also admitted he feels a sense of guilt and embarrassment over the breakdown of their relationship.

Memories from the ‘VIP’ Days

Looking back, Vignesh recalled the time he spent working closely with Dhanush during Velaiilla Pattadhari (VIP), describing those years as deeply formative. “I spent two years with him during the VIP shoot. I would only eat after he had eaten. Sometimes, when things happen between people, we don’t fully understand the situation ourselves.”

The Controversy That Sparked the Rift

The tension between the trio began when Nayanthara accused Dhanush of sending a legal notice demanding Rs 10 crore over the alleged unauthorised use of a three-second clip from their 2015 film Naanum Rowdy Dhaan. The clip was featured in the trailer of her wedding documentary, Nayanthara: Beyond the Fairytale, triggering a public fallout and sparking debate within the industry.

Moving Ahead with ‘Love Insurance Kompany’

Despite the emotional weight of the past, Vignesh is currently focused on his upcoming film Love Insurance Kompany. Set in the year 2040, the sci-fi romantic comedy features Pradeep Ranganathan and SJ Suryah in key roles. The story revolves around a futuristic matchmaking company that uses advanced technology to test compatibility between couples. The film also stars Yogi Babu, Seeman, Gouri Kishan and Malavika Mohanan, and is slated for release on 10 April.

Inputs from TOI