Latest news with #GangaiAmaran
India Today
2 days ago
- Entertainment
- India Today
Vairamuthu is a good poet, not good human: Tamil composer backs singer Chinmayi
Playback singer Chinmayi Sripada has been at the receiving end of trolling and hate after she accused legendary lyricist and poet Vairamuthu of sexual misconduct in 2018 during the #MeToo movement. Years later, veteran composer, director and lyricist Gangai Amaran, brother of Ilaiyaraaja, extended his support to her and called his long-time friend Vairamuthu a 'not so good human being'.In an interview with Galatta, Gangai Amaran said, "When I heard about the event that they organised for her, I immediately wanted to attend." Over the years, Chinmayi has spoken up several times and called out celebrities and politicians for platforming Vairamuthu, who has nearly 17 complaints against him from women - some anonymous and some then addressed her sexual harassment claims against Vairamuthu and expressed his support. "She struggled in life to become a playback singer that she is today. But, he [Vairamuthu] was made out to be a good person, while everyone made her the villain [for opening up]. No one supported her during this time," he said. Gangai Amaran also emphasised that it is important to stand by a woman who exposes injustice. "If a woman talks about injustice happening to her, we should stand with her. I condemn those people who don't and the political parties who support the man," he the unversed, Gangai Amaran, Ilaiyaraaja and Vairamuthu have been friends for years and worked on many iconic projects in Tamil cinema. Amaran also talked about his relationship with Vairamuthu and stated, "Just because we are friends, it doesn't mean we cannot question when he does something wrong. Can I ask Chinmayi not to talk about him because he is my friend?"advertisementHe then added, "He is a good poet, there is no doubt about that, but he is not a good person."In 2018, Chinmayi Sripada named lyricist Vairamuthu - a legend in Tamil industry with great political connections - as her perpetrator. She said that the lyricist asked her to 'co-operate' in 2005. She levelled these allegations as she spearheaded Tamil cinema's #MeToo denied the allegations, but Chinmayi has been facing a ban in the Tamil film Reel
Time of India
24-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Time of India
Did 'Good Bad Ugly' succeed because of Ilaiyaraaja's songs? Premgi Amaren responds
The recent release of ' Good Bad Ugly ', directed by Adhik Ravichandran and starring Ajith Kumar , has turned into more than just a cinematic conversation, it has sparked a debate involving legendary composer Ilaiyaraaja. The film, which hit theatres on April 10, features three popular tracks originally composed by Ilaiyaraaja. While the movie has been performing decently at the box office, the use of these classic songs led to controversy, as Ilaiyaraaja claimed the makers didn't obtain proper permission and issued a legal notice demanding ₹5 crore in compensation. Gangai Amaran steps in for his brother Ilaiyaraaja's brother, Gangai Amaran, came forward in defense of the composer, expressing his disappointment. He stated that if the filmmakers had requested permission the right way, Ilaiyaraaja would have surely granted it. 'Your film is thriving because of our songs. Isn't it fair to compensate us?' Gangai Amaran said in a recent interview, adding to the ongoing conversation surrounding the role of music in the film's reception. Premgi Amaren stands by Venkat Prabhu by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Upto 15% Discount for Salaried Individuals ICICI Pru Life Insurance Plan Get Quote Undo At a press event, actor and musician Premgi Amaren, who is also the brother of filmmaker Venkat Prabhu, addressed the controversy. He stated, 'Just like Gangai Amaran spoke in support of his brother Ilaiyaraaja, I will always stand by my brother Venkat Prabhu if he faces any issues. It's natural for us to support our own.' Premgi Amaren downplayed the copyright clash, treating it as an internal matter that's being blown out of proportion. "Ajith is the real draw," Says Premgi Amaren Responding to claims that Ilaiyaraaja's songs were the primary reason for the film's success, Premgi strongly dismissed the idea. 'People know the truth, it's Ajith's presence that drives the film. Any film starring Ajith gets its appeal because of him. That's the real reason audiences are showing up,' he concluded confidently.
News18
23-04-2025
- Entertainment
- News18
Ilaiyaraaja Versus Good Bad Ugly: Composer's Brother Refutes Financial Motive, Says 'He Has More Than Enough'
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. First Published:
