Ilaiyaraaja sends legal notice to Manjummel Boys team for unauthorised use of Gunaa song

Veteran music composer and Rajya Sabha MP Ilaiyaraaja has sent a legal notice to the team of Malayalam hit film Manjummel Boys on the grounds of copyright violation. The composer claimed that the film team indulged in the unauthorised usage of his song Kanmani Anbodu from the Kamal Haasan-starrer Gunaa in Manjummel Boys.

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Ilaiyaraaja sends legal notice to Manjummel Boys

For the unversed, the Malayalam hit film Manjummel Boys used the song Kanmani Anbodu from the 1991 Tamil film Gunaa at a crucial juncture in the film. In fact, the usage of the song became one of the highlights and selling points of the film. Manjummel Boys follows a group of youngsters from Kerala, who visit the famous Gunaa Caves. A survival drama based on real events; the film follows the rescue by a group of men in order to save their friend who fell into a deep cave pit. The song was used during the climax portion, which was lauded by the audience and critics.

Now, Ilaiyaraaja has sent a legal notice, expressing his shock that the makers of the Malayalam film had not sought his permission to use the song. He also said that he was not aware of it and his consent was not taken to use it. He contested on the grounds of the Copyright Act, 1957. It is to be noted that Ilaiyaraaja is quite vocal about the unsought usage of his musical works. He had even issued a legal notice to the makers of Rajinikanth-starrer Coolie for using his song in the film teaser.

Also read: Manjummel Boys review: Chidambaram carves an earnest rescue thriller that relies on emotions to carry it 

More on Manjummel Boys

However, the makers of Manjummel Boys have not yet responded to the issue. Directed by Chidambaram, the film is produced by Soubin Shahir, Babu Shahir, and Shawn Antony. The film is currently streaming on Disney+ Hotstar. It stars Soubin Shahir, Sreenath Bhasi, George Maryan, Lal Jr, and others.

Manjummel Boys became one of the commercial successes of Malayalam cinema this year. Even outside Kerala, the dubbed versions of the film ran successfully in other southern states.

Also read: Chidambaram's debut film Jan.E.Man prove that Manjummel Boys' success was no accident