Renowned music director Ilaiyaraaja has issued a legal notice to the producers of the hit Malayalam film, “Manjummel Boys,” demanding the removal of his song, “Kanmani Anbodu,” originally composed for the movie “Guna” starring Kamal Haasan. Ilaiyaraaja is also seeking compensation for the unauthorized use of his work.
Despite the team behind “Manjummel Boys” having legally acquired the rights from the music company, Ilaiyaraaja has asserted his copyright claim, insisting on compensation. The song, alongside the evocative backdrop from “Guna,” significantly contributed to the success of “Manjummel Boys,” particularly boosting its popularity in the Tamil version.
Ilaiyaraaja is known for taking a strong stance on the use of his music. In a similar incident, he sent legal notices to the famed singer SP Balasubrahmanyam for performing his songs at events without permission, sparking widespread controversy. This ongoing debate raises important questions about the ownership of film music, with opinions divided between producers, music companies, and music directors. It remains to be seen how this particular issue will unfold.
Rishi