Legendary music composer Ilaiyaraaja has issued a legal notice to the creators of the recently released Malayalam film ‘Manjummel Boys’, accusing them of unauthorized use of his musical work. The notice claims that the film unlawfully incorporated the song “Kanmani Anbodu Kaadhalan”, originally composed by Ilayaraja for the 1991 Tamil movie ‘Guna’, without his consent.
Ilaiyaraaja expressed his astonishment upon discovering that the makers of ‘Manjummel Boys’ had used his song without seeking the necessary permissions. He emphasized that under the Copyright Act, 1957, the rights of the original creator are protected, and any unauthorized use of their work is strictly prohibited.
The legal notice highlights that any use or adaptation of an original musical composition by a third party requires the composer’s consent and appropriate compensation. Ilayaraja, asserting his rights as the original owner of “Kanmani Anbodu Kaadhalan”, accused the filmmakers of exploiting his work for promotional purposes to gain commercial advantage and publicity.
The notice demands that the filmmakers remove the song from the film and all promotional materials within 15 days. Additionally, it seeks compensation for the unauthorized use of the song. Failure to comply with these demands will result in legal action for the willful infringement of Ilayaraja’s rights.