Mythri Movie Makers settle with Ilaiyaraaja for ₹50 lakhs over copyright violation

Legendary composer Ilaiyaraaja continues to assert his rights over his iconic songs in Indian cinema. Mythri Movie Makers, the production house behind the Tamil films Good Bad Ugly and Dude , has officially settled with Ilaiyaraaja for ₹50 lakhs for using five of his songs without prior permission. This follows an original demand of ₹5 crore by the maestro, highlighting the seriousness of music copyright enforcement in the industry.

The specific songs involved include “Otha Rooba Tharen” ( Nattupura Pattu , 1996), “Ilamai Idho Idho” ( Sakalakala Vallavan , 1982), and “En Jodi Manja Kuruvi” ( Vikram , 1986) from Good Bad Ugly , and “Nooru Varusham” ( Panakkaran , 1990) and “Karutha Machaan” ( Pudhu Nellu Pudhu Naathu , 1991) from Dude . Their inclusion is expected to enhance the narrative and emotional depth of both films.

This settlement echoes an earlier case involving the Malayalam film Manjummel Boys , whose team had used Ilaiyaraaja’s song “Kanmani Anbodu Kaadhalan” ( Guna , 1991) without permission. The team initially faced a claim for ₹2 crore in damages but settled the dispute for ₹60 lakhs, acknowledging the unauthorized use.

Ilaiyaraaja invoked India’s Copyright Act, 1957, to protect his work. Under the law, any music composition, including the melody, arrangement, and recording, is automatically protected, giving the creator exclusive rights to reproduce, distribute, and publicly perform the work. Unauthorized usage can lead to civil remedies such as injunctions, damages, and account of profits. The law also protects moral rights, ensuring the composer’s work is not distorted or misrepresented. By sending legal notices and demanding fair compensation, Ilaiyaraaja reinforced his intellectual property rights and set an example for filmmakers about adhering to copyright norms.

Several similar cases in Indian cinema highlight the growing emphasis on music rights. Composer A. R. Rahman has previously filed complaints over unauthorized use of his songs, settling disputes after compensation. In 2013, Sony Music took legal action against T-Series for uploading copyrighted tracks online without permission, leading to settlements. Independent singers like Shreya Ghoshal have claimed royalties when their songs were reused without licensing, often securing payments in the range of several lakhs. Saregama India has also actively protected its song library, including cases where classic tracks were used in films or online without consent. Bollywood remakes of classic songs have faced disputes as well, with settlements often reaching ₹10-₹50 lakhs depending on the song’s popularity.

The recent settlements, ₹50 lakhs from Mythri Movie Makers, ₹60 lakhs from Manjummel Boys, and similar figures in past cases, demonstrate the financial and legal consequences of using copyrighted music without permission. These precedents reinforce the need for filmmakers to secure proper licensing and fairly compensate artists, ensuring creative works are respected and legally protected.