Copyright news18
Legendary music composer Ilaiyaraaja has initiated a lawsuit against Mythri Movie Makers over the unauthorised use of his song Karutha Machan in the Tamil blockbuster Dude, directed by Pradeep Ranganathan. The composition, originally created for Bharathiraja’s 1991 film Pudhu Nellu Pudhu Naathu, was used without the composer’s permission in the movie’s wedding sequence. This legal move marks another dispute between Ilaiyaraaja and the studio, following a previous court case concerning the Ajith Kumar film Good Bad Ugly, also produced by Mythri Movie Makers. In that instance, Ilaiyaraaja successfully secured a court order leading to the removal of his songs from Netflix during the film’s streaming run. Ilaiyaraaja has filed legal proceedings in the United States against Sony Music Entertainment India, Echo Recording Company, and Oriental Records for the alleged unauthorized use of Karutha Machan in Dude. The composer’s team claims that Sony Music has not responded to requests regarding the issue, and the song continues to feature in the film, which has performed strongly at the box office. The case was heard today by Judge N. Senthilkumar at the Madras High Court. During the hearing, Ilaiyaraaja’s legal team highlighted the continued commercial use of his song in Dude, which has reportedly grossed over Rs 50 crore domestically within its first five days. The court directed Sony Music to submit details of any income generated from Ilaiyaraaja’s catalogue under their management. The next hearing is scheduled for 19 November, allowing the composer to continue his pursuit of legal remedies against the film’s producers. The disputed song appears in a humorous dance sequence during the film’s interval, featuring actors Pradeep Ranganathan and Mamitha Baiju. This is not the first time Ilaiyaraaja has raised copyright concerns against Mythri Movie Makers. He had earlier issued a notice regarding the use of his songs in Good Bad Ugly, alleging that compositions including Otha Rubayum Tharen (Nattupura Pattu), Ilamai Idho Idho (Sakalakala Vallavan), and En Jodi Manja Kuruvi (Vikram) were used without consent. “Such actions constitute unauthorized use, appropriation and a clear infringement of our Client’s copyright and moral rights. You may also please take note that he has never accorded any permission or consent, either express or implied, for using/altering/distorting/changing the form of the of the musical work that has been used in the cinematograph Good Bad Ugly,” the notice stated. The composer has demanded a compensation of Rs 5 crore, an immediate cessation of the songs’ use, and a written apology from the filmmakers. “Remove the altered versions of the songs Otha Rubayum Tharen, Ilamai Idho Idho, and En Jodi Manja Kuruvi from all platforms where they are published or performed; Tender an unconditional [apology],” the notice read.
