Madras High Court Impleads Gautham Menon and Others in ‘Dhruva Natchathiram’ Case, Restrains Interference with Film’s Release

The Madras High Court has passed key orders in the ongoing legal dispute surrounding the Tamil film Dhruva Natchathiram, bringing filmmaker Gautham Vasudev Menon and associated parties formally into the proceedings while also issuing directions aimed at safeguarding the film’s release.

In an order dated March 17, 2026, Justice Senthilkumar Ramamoorthy allowed applications filed by Gautham Menon, S. Venkataramanan, and Kondaduvom Entertainment seeking to be impleaded as respondents in the case. The court observed that these applicants are partners in the firm involved in producing Dhruva Natchathiram and are therefore likely to be affected by any orders passed in the original application, which concerns an interim injunction against the alienation or encumbrance of the film.

Subsequently, during the hearing on April 28, 2026, the court recorded an undertaking submitted by Gautham Menon on behalf of Kondaduvom Entertainment. In the affidavit, it was stated that no communication would be initiated with creditors in any manner that could prejudice the release of the film. Taking this undertaking on record, the court directed that the original applicants should not approach or communicate with the creditors of the production entity or take any actions that may adversely impact the release of Dhruva Natchathiram.

The court has granted time to the applicants to review certain financial details mentioned in the affidavit and has adjourned the matter for further hearing.