Veteran music composer Ilaiyaraaja sued the makers of the super hit Malayalam movie Manjummel Boys for using his iconic song ‘Kanmani Anbodu’ without authorization and demanded compensation. In May 2024, Ilayaraja sent a legal document to the producers accusing them of using his 1991 Tamil film Gunaa track ‘Kanmani Anbodu’ without obtaining permission.
The famous Guna caves had this Kamal Haasan’s music which ever since has remained deep in many people’s hearts. Ilaiyaraaja reportedly sought Rs.2 crores as compensation alleging that its numerous use by Manjummel Boys in the crucial parts helped to make it big. However, after initial claims were made and demands were placed by Ilaiyaraaja, he got just 0.6 million INR as compensation. Money Control reveals that during negotiations Soubin Shahir, Babu Shahir and Shawn Antony met with him personally. The producers felt that their demand was unreasonable but after long discussions they come to an agreement.
That momentously elevates when considering “Kanmani Anbodu” number at one place of the film is used extensively especially at a pivotal moment in it. The high demand from Ilaiyaraaja was also justified by immense popularity of this song after its release and its use in promotions afterwards. On the other hand, though producers thought it was too much they battled over it fiercely before coming to terms.
Accordingly, LiveLaw stated that Ilaiyaraaja insisted that merely naming him on title cards did not imply he had given permission or license or consented to use his musical work. He also said when such kind of work is used commercially without paying royalties or licensing fee; it becomes copyright infringement according to law.“ Though they credited me in titles but it does not mean that my permission/license/consent for using the musical work,” he continued. Additionally, he stated that his rights as the owner of the musical work were subject to protection under the Copyrights Act 1957.
