In the notice, Ilaiyaraaja has also demanded that the film’s production team, including Mythri Movie Makers, issue an unconditional apology within seven days.
Published Apr 15, 2025 | 2:29 PM ⚊ Updated Apr 15, 2025 | 2:29 PM
Ilaiyaraaja. (X)
Legendary music composer Ilaiyaraaja has issued a legal notice to the makers of the Ajith’s film Good Bad Ugly, produced by Mythri Movie Makers, demanding ₹5 crore in damages for the unauthorized use of three of his iconic songs.
The notice objects to the inclusion of the songs “Oththa Roopaiyum Thaarein,” from Nattupura Pattu (1996), “En Jodi Manjal Kurivi,” from Sakalakala Vallavan (1982) and “Ilamai Idho Idho” from Vikram (1986) in the film without obtaining proper permission. Ilaiyaraaja has strongly opposed the use of his compositions and has called for the immediate removal of all three songs from the movie.
In the notice, he has also demanded that the film’s production team, including Mythri Movie Makers, issue an unconditional apology within seven days. Failure to comply, he warned, would result in further legal action.
According to the Cinema Express report, Ilaiyaraaja’s legal team sent the film’s makers a four-page notice, stating that the songs have have been “used, altered, and commercially exploited” without getting prior permission or payment of royalties to Ilaiyaaraja despite holding all legal rights to his work.
“You did not take any such permission from our Client, who is the original author and producer of the musical works and have exceeded the scope of permitted usage by altering and republishing the Works without any contractual or statutory justification, thereby infringing his statutory and economical rights,” said the notice.
Further, they underlined that these are in violation of the Section 51 of the Copyright Act and have demanded Mythri Movie Makers to pay a sum of ₹5 crore towards “unpaid royalties, damages, and legal costs” while tendering an “unconditional written apology” for unauthorised use of his work.
However, this is not the first time that Ilaiyaraaja has issued such a legal notice. In 2024, he issued a legal notice to the makers of Manjummel Boys for using his song “Kanmani Anbodu” from Gunaa (1991) without permission.
After receiving the legal notice, the Manjummel Boys producers met with Ilaiyaraaja. Initially, he demanded ₹2 crore due to the film’s success, but the issue was settled for ₹60 lakh, which the producers paid.
