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Biggest South Scandals Of The Year: As the year 2024 comes to a close, it's clear that it was a year marked by both cinematic excellence and controversy in the South Indian film industry. From bitter feuds between industry heavyweights to personal scandals that made headlines, 2024 was a year that had it all. One of the most notable controversies of the year was the very public feud between Nayanthara and Dhanush. The two South Indian cinema stalwarts found themselves at odds, with the situation escalating to the point where legal notices were exchanged. Another major controversy that made waves in 2024 was the announcement of AR Rahman's divorce from his wife. The news came as a shock to fans of the legendary music composer and it sparked a wide-ranging conversation about the challenges of maintaining a high-profile marriage. As the clock ticks down to the start of 2025, it's clear that the past year has been one of significant drama and upheaval in the South Indian film industry.

Biggest South Scandals Of The Year

AR Rahman’s romance rumours with bassist Mohini Dey

Following the announcement of AR Rahman's separation from his wife, Saira Banu, speculation began circulating about a potential romantic connection between the acclaimed composer and his bassist, Mohini Dey. The timing of the announcements, with Mohini also revealing her divorce on the same day, fueled rumours that the two events were somehow linked. 

However, Mohini Dey took to social media to address the unfounded speculation, describing AR Rahman as a father figure and expressing her disappointment over the media's portrayal of their professional relationship. She urged the public to respect their privacy during this challenging time and made it clear that she would not waste her energy on false claims. In a similar vein, Rahman's family also responded to the rumours, dismissing them as baseless and requesting that people respect their personal lives.

Nayanthara vs Dhanush

A highly publicised dispute erupted between Nayanthara and Dhanush, stemming from a disagreement over footage from their 2015 film Naanum Rowdy Dhaan. Nayanthara penned an open letter, levelling serious accusations against Dhanush, claiming that he had withheld permission for the footage despite her repeated requests over a two-year period. She alleged that Dhanush's refusal to grant a No Objection Certificate was motivated by a personal vendetta against her and her husband, Vignesh Shivan. 

Nayanthara's letter was scathing, with her labeling Dhanush a "tyrant" and accusing him of hypocrisy. In response to these allegations, Dhanush's production house, Wunderbar Films, took swift action, issuing a legal notice to Nayanthara, her husband, and their production company. The notice claimed that the clip in question had been used without Dhanush's permission, prompting him to initiate legal proceedings against the parties involved.

Tirupathi Laddu Controversy

A controversy erupted after Karthi made a lighthearted comment about the sacred Tirupati Laddu at an event in Hyderabad, which upset Pawan Kalyan. Karthi apologized on social media, clarifying he meant no disrespect, and Pawan Kalyan accepted the apology. The controversy was linked to allegations of adulterated ghee used in the temple's laddus, with Chandrababu Naidu accusing the previous government of allowing ghee with animal fats.

Hema Committee Report Allegations

The Hema Committee Report shed light on the rampant harassment in the Malayalam film industry, revealing a toxic environment where female artists were exploited for career favors. Several celebrities, including Ranjith Balakrishnan and Siddique, were named in the report, prompting Mohanlal and the AMMA committee to resign. The findings reignited the #MeToo movement, with choreographer Jani Master being arrested under the POCSO Act for assaulting a minor female colleague, although he was later released on bail.

Nandamuri Balakrishna pushes actress on stage

A controversy surrounding Nandamuri Balakrishna erupted after a video showed him pushing actress Anjali at a Gangs of Godavari event. The clip sparked public outrage online, with many calling his actions disrespectful and demanding an apology. However, Anjali later took to social media to address the issue, thanking Balakrishna for attending the event and clarifying that they have mutual respect.

Darshan Thoogudeepa-Renukaswamy case

Darshan Thoogudeepa is embroiled in a legal battle over the alleged murder of his fan, Renukaswamy, who reportedly sent inappropriate messages to actress Pavithra Gowda. Darshan and others were charged with murder and conspiracy, with a chargesheet filed containing evidence. Denying the accusations, Darshan's team argued the case relies on circumstantial evidence. He was granted interim bail for six weeks in October 2024 due to health issues, with the case still ongoing.

Pragya Nagra MMS Video Leak

Malayalam actress Pragya Nagra faced a controversy when unverified private videos of her were leaked on social media. She swiftly addressed the issue, attributing the leak to malicious AI use aimed at tarnishing her image. The actress later broke her silence with a post on Instagram.