Gangai Amaran on Ilaiyaraaja suing for unauthorised use of music: When your music directors who get paid in crores fail, you play our songs to get claps
Gangai noted that many filmmakers rely on Ilaiyaraaja's classics, often neglecting to ask permision from him.
Last Updated: 09.31 AM, Apr 22, 2025
Veteran and celebrated music composer Ilaiyaraaja, who stands the test of time, had recently sued the makers of Good Bad Ugly for the unauthorised usage of his yesteryear songs in the film. For the unversed, Ilaiyaraaja is strictly against the use of his songs in other films without his prior permission, and holds no bar when it comes to moving legally when other films make use of his songs.
Good Bad Ugly is the latest example, with the Ajith Kumar-starrer using Ilaiyaraaja’s song Ilamai Idho Idho in one of its fight sequences. Subsequently, Ilaiyaraaja filed a case. In the latest, Ilaiyaraaja’s brother and composer Gangai Amaran came in support of the former and expressed how it is still the old songs that are saving new films.
Gangai Amaran on brother Ilaiyaraaja suing makers for unauthorised use of music
Gangai Amaran, who recently spoke at an event, supported his brother Ilaiyaraaja move to ask copyright for his music. Gangai Amaran said that it is the rightful thing to ask for permission to use the songs. "There have been times when our records were selling like hot cakes and we did not get any money. So later, anna (Ilaiyaraaja) got the music contract saying the rights will be with him. In fact, it was after I said, he allowed stage singers to sing freely without royalty.”
But speaking about the usage of Ilaiyaraaja songs in films, Gangai Amaran said, “You pay music directors in crores and those songs don't work out. When you play our songs, you get the claps. When you are unable to do with your composer is when you use our songs right? Shouldn't we then get the rightful share for it? If you ask for permission, he will give it for free. But how many of them ask and that is his grouse.”
Ilaiyaraaja’s latest work Viduthalai Part 2 on OTT
Ilaiyaraaja most recently scored for Viduthalai: Part 2, which is available for streaming on ZEE5. Helmed by Vetrimaaran, the period action film stars Soori, Vijay Sethupathi and others.
While it is hard to concise Ilaiyaraaja’s works in mere few lines, some of his best musical include Pithamagan, Anjali , and Clap to name a few.