Ilaiyaraaja Versus Good Bad Ugly: Composer's Brother Refutes Financial Motive, Says 'He Has More Than Enough'

News18

23-04-2025

Ilaiyaraaja sued Good Bad Ugly makers for unauthorized use of his music, seeking Rs 5 crore. His brother Gangai Amaran denies financial motives, stressing respect for art.
Veteran composer Ilaiyaraaja had earlier initiated legal proceedings against the makers of Good Bad Ugly, starring Ajith Kumar and Trisha Krishnan, over alleged unauthorised use of his music. The composer reportedly sought Rs 5 crore in compensation, claiming that his compositions were used in the film without his explicit permission.
While the producers issued a response to the controversy, the situation sparked mixed reactions online, with some netizens pointing out Ilaiyaraaja's history of similar legal actions. Addressing speculation that the move was financially motivated, the composer's brother Gangai Amaran firmly denies the claims, calling them baseless.
Ilaiyaraaja's brother, Gangai Amaran, has made it clear that money has never been the driving force behind the veteran composer's decisions. Brushing off the chatter around financial motives, he said, 'Do you think my brother lacks money? He has more than enough. We are struggling to even spend what we have," according to Pinkvilla.
When someone suggested they could use their wealth to help others, Amaran didn't hold back. He explained that every bit of what they have today was earned through hard work and perseverance, and they believe it's only fair that their children benefit from it.
'My brother isn't unreasonable. He just wants people to respect the art and the artist," he concluded.
In the legal notice addressed to the makers of Good Bad Ugly, Ilaiyaraaja had alleged that three of his iconic compositions namely Otha Rubayum Tharen from Nattupura Pattu, Ilamai Idho Idho from Sakalakala Vallavan, and En Jodi Manja Kuruvi from Vikram were featured in the film without his consent. The composer claimed that this amounts to a copyright infringement.
'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," a part of his notice read.
Along with alleging copyright infringement, Ilaiyaraaja demanded a compensation of Rs 5 crore from the team behind Good Bad Ugly. He also asked the filmmakers to immediately stop using the songs in question. In addition, the composer insisted on receiving a formal written apology from the makers for using his work without his direct permission.
However, the makers of the Adhik Ravichandran-directorial responded to the allegations, stating that they had obtained a No Objection Certificate (NOC) from the respective music labels prior to including the tracks. Producer Yalamanchili Ravi Shankar of Mythri Movie Makers, who backed Good Bad Ugly, spoke to Hindustan Times and clarified that the team followed all necessary procedures before using the tracks.
'We have taken permission from all the music labels required for the songs we used in the film. The labels hold the rights, so we have followed protocol and taken NOCs from them. We have done things by the book," he said.
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