Ilaiyaraaja Sends Legal Notice to 'Good Bad Ugly' Makers Over Unauthorized Use of Songs
- MediaFx
- 3 hours ago
- 2 min read
TL;DR: Legendary composer Ilaiyaraaja has issued a legal notice to the producers of Ajith Kumar's film 'Good Bad Ugly' for using three of his classic songs without permission. He demands ₹5 crore in compensation and a public apology. The filmmakers claim they obtained necessary permissions, but Ilaiyaraaja insists his consent was not sought.
Renowned music composer Ilaiyaraaja has taken legal action against the producers of the Tamil film Good Bad Ugly, starring Ajith Kumar and Trisha Krishnan. The film, directed by Adhik Ravichandran and produced by Mythri Movie Makers, was released on April 10, 2025, and has been performing well at the box office.
Ilaiyaraaja's grievance centers on the alleged unauthorized use of three of his iconic songs in the film:
"Ilamai Idho Idho" from Sakalakala Vallavan (1982)
"En Jodi Manja Kuruvi" from Vikram (1986)
"Oththa Roova" from Nattupura Pattu (1996)
According to Ilaiyaraaja's legal team, these songs were used, altered, and commercially exploited without obtaining prior permission or paying royalties to the composer. The notice demands ₹5 crore in compensation and a written public apology from the producers. Additionally, it calls for the removal of the songs from the film and associated platforms within seven days, warning of further legal action if the demands are not met.
The producers, Naveen Yerneni and Yalamanchili Ravi Shankar of Mythri Movie Makers, have reportedly obtained No Objection Certificates (NOCs) from the music labels for the usage of the songs. However, Ilaiyaraaja contends that his personal consent was not sought, and he maintains that the moral rights of a creator are protected under the Indian Copyright Act.
This is not the first instance of Ilaiyaraaja taking legal action over the unauthorized use of his compositions. In the past, he has sent notices to filmmakers for similar infringements, emphasizing the importance of respecting the rights of creators.
As of now, the producers have not publicly responded to the legal notice. The situation underscores the ongoing complexities surrounding music rights and the necessity for clear agreements between composers, music labels, and filmmakers.
