Ajith Kumar’s highly anticipated Tamil action movie Good Bad Ugly, directed by Adhik Ravichandran, is creating waves at the box office with good collections. Though critics have given mixed reviews, the film is getting an overwhleming response from Ajith fans across the board. But just as the film is basking in its commercial success, a legal controversy has come to the fore, involving none other than music legend Ilaiyaraaja.
The veteran composer has issued a legal notice to the makers of Good Bad Ugly, alleging unauthorized usage of three of his iconic compositions. According to Ilaiyaraaja, the tracks were not only used without his personal consent but were also modified—something he considers a direct infringement of his copyright.
In his notice, Ilaiyaraaja demanded that the songs be immediately removed from the film and sought compensation for the alleged misuse of his intellectual property. This isn’t the first time the maestro has taken such a stance. Over the years, he has remained vocal and legally active in protecting his musical creations from unauthorized usage, even in public performances and stage shows.
Responding to the controversy, the film’s production house, Mythri Movie Makers, broke their silence with a clear statement. Producer Naveen asserted:
“All the songs used in Good Bad Ugly were licensed legally through the appropriate music labels. We have followed every legal protocol, secured all necessary permissions, and obtained the required No Objection Certificates (NOCs). There has been no violation of copyright from our end.”
This statement suggests that the production team relied on existing agreements with music labels, assuming that those rights were sufficient for the film’s usage. However, Ilaiyaraaja argues that his personal approval remains mandatory, regardless of label ownership.
While legal experts may weigh in on the fine print of copyright law, fans and film circles are keeping a close eye on how this battle unfolds. As of now, the controversy does not appear to have slowed down the film’s theatrical performance. Audiences are still enjoying the songs in theaters, with screenings continuing to draw large crowds.
With Mythri Movie Makers standing firm on their legal compliance and Ilaiyaraaja not backing down from his claims, the industry is bracing for a potentially landmark copyright case. Whether this dispute will impact the future screenings or lead to edits in the film remains to be seen.
For now, Good Bad Ugly continues its successful run in cinemas while the legal drama plays out off-screen. All eyes are now on Ilaiyaraaja’s next move, which could have wider implications for music rights and licensing practices in Indian cinema.
