Ilaiyaraaja Slaps Legal Notice on Good Bad Ugly Team, Seeks ₹5 Crore Compensation for Unauthorized Use of His Songs

Veteran music maestro Ilaiyaraaja has sent shockwaves through the film industry by issuing a legal notice to the makers of Good Bad Ugly, alleging unauthorized usage of his iconic compositions. The legendary composer claims that three of his classic tracks were used in the film without obtaining prior permission — a serious violation of copyright norms, according to the legal notice served.

The songs in question are:

• “Otha Roobaiyum Tharen” from the film Nattupura Paattu
• “Ilamai Idho Idho” from the cult favorite Sakalakala Vallavan
• “En Jodi Manja Kuruvi” from Vikram

All three songs, treasured by fans for decades, hold cultural and musical significance and are still widely celebrated.

Ilaiyaraaja, known for fiercely protecting his musical rights, has demanded ₹5 crore in compensation from the producers for infringement. Additionally, he has called for a formal written apology from the makers of Good Bad Ugly. The legal notice also instructs the filmmakers to immediately remove the disputed songs from the film and any associated promotional material. Failure to comply, it warns, will result in further legal proceedings.

The film in question, Good Bad Ugly, is a stylish action entertainer starring Ajith Kumar in the lead role. Directed by Adhik Ravichandran, the movie released on April 10, 2025, and has been performing well at the box office despite the controversy. The film features Trisha Krishnan as the female lead and has music composed by GV Prakash Kumar, adding another layer of complexity to the dispute, as fans are now questioning whether these reused tracks were part of his re-composition or simply included without oversight.

The ensemble cast includes several prominent actors such as Prabhu, Prasanna, Arjun Das, Sunil, Priya Prakash Varrier, Simran, Rahul Dev, and Yogi Babu, bringing significant star power to the project.

As of now, Mythri Movie Makers, the production house behind the film, has not issued an official statement in response to the legal notice.

The incident has sparked a wider discussion across the film and music industry about intellectual property rights, proper licensing procedures, and the ethical reuse of iconic works. Fans of Ilaiyaraaja and industry insiders alike are eagerly waiting to see how this situation unfolds.