The Madras High Court has refused to lift the interim injunction that prevents the upcoming film Good Bad Ugly from using three popular Ilaiyaraaja compositions. Justice N. Senthilkumar dismissed the producers’ request to vacate the earlier restraining order, holding that the legendary composer’s rights over his musical works cannot be bypassed without proper authorization.
The disputed songs “Otha Rupayum Tharen,” “Ilamai Idho Idho,” and “En Jodi Manja Kuruvi” are iconic tracks from films released decades ago. Ilaiyaraaja approached the court alleging that the makers of Good Bad Ugly had reproduced portions of these works in their movie without his consent and without securing any licence or royalty arrangement.
Back in September, the High Court had granted an interim order stopping the film’s makers, Mythri Movie Makers, from releasing or circulating the movie with these musical pieces. The production house later argued that they had obtained the required rights from music labels, but the Court found no convincing evidence of a valid transfer of rights from the composer himself or from any party legally empowered to grant such permission.
In declining to vacate the earlier order, the Court emphasized that an author retains the right to protect the integrity of their creations and to prevent unauthorized use, even if the works are several decades old. The ruling reinforces the legal principle that classic songs cannot be adapted or reused in new films unless all relevant rights are lawfully secured.
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