After the release of Manjummel Boys in February, music composer Ilaiyaraaja issued a legal notice to the producers, claiming they used his song, "Kanmani Anbodu Kaadhalan," without authorization. Initially demanding ₹2 crore in compensation, the case has reportedly been settled for ₹60 lakh, according to Moneycontrol.

Ilaiyaraaja Receives ₹60 Lakh Compensation

Following a legal notice, Manjummel Boys producers—Soubin Shahir, Babu Shahir, and Shawn Antony—met Ilaiyaraaja in person. Due to the film's success and extensive use of the song, Ilaiyaraaja demanded ₹2 crore in compensation. However, after intense negotiations, the matter was settled for ₹60 lakh, as the producers found the initial demand exorbitant. The song "Kanmani Anbodu Kaadhalan" is from the 1991 Kamal Haasan-starrer Gunaa.

ilaiyaraaja's Legal Battles Over His Music

Ilaiyaraaja has been actively defending his music rights. In 2017, he sued singer SP Balasubrahmanyam for performing his compositions without permission on a world tour. Recently, he sent a legal notice to the producers of Rajinikanth-starrer Coolie for using the song "Vaa Vaa Pakkam Vaa" from the 1983 film Thanga Magan in a promotional video without his consent. Additionally, he is involved in a legal dispute with the Indian Record Manufacturing Company (INERCO) in the Madras High Court over songs composed in the late 1970s and early 1980s.

About Manjummel Boys

Directed by Chidambaram and featuring Soubin Shahir, Sreenath Bhasi, Balu Varghese, and others, the Malayalam film is based on a true incident from 2006. It follows a group of friends visiting Guna Caves in Tamil Nadu and the events that unfold when one of them becomes trapped there.