Director Vignesh Shivan's sudden deactivation of his X (formerly Twitter) account has sent shockwaves through the Tamil film industry, coming amid intensifying speculation about his marriage to actress Nayanthara and her alleged involvement with actor Dhanush. The move, occurring at 2:37 AM on Wednesday, followed weeks of increasingly personal social media scrutiny regarding the couple's relationship status.
Timeline of events:
- November 12: Dhanush and Nayanthara spotted at private Mumbai event
- November 15: Viral meme comparing Nayanthara-Dhanush chemistry to Vignesh's films
- November 18: Shivan tweets cryptic message about "trust and betrayal"
- November 20: Account deactivated after 12-hour deletion countdown
Industry insiders reveal multiple layers to the controversy:
1. Professional tensions over Nayanthara's upcoming film with Dhanush
2. Speculation about the couple's twin sons' godparent choices
3. Alleged creative differences on Vignesh's next project
4. Social media comparing their marriage to other fractured film couples
The situation has highlighted the intense scrutiny faced by celebrity couples in South Indian cinema, with particular focus on:
- Power dynamics in star-director marriages
- The "six degrees of separation" in Kollywood relationships
- Mental health impacts of viral speculation
- Ethical boundaries in film journalism
Psychologists note this reflects a broader pattern of how social media amplifies personal crises for public figures. Meanwhile, Nayanthara continues shooting for her upcoming film in Hyderabad, while Vignesh is reportedly in discussions with Amazon Prime for a web series.
The couple's representatives have issued a statement requesting privacy, emphasizing that "personal decisions should not be interpreted as professional statements." With the controversy showing no signs of abating, industry watchers speculate this may lead to broader discussions about mental health safeguards for filmmakers in the digital age.
Vignesh Shivan deactivates X account amid Nayanthara Dhanush controversy
