A court order landed three months too late to change much, but it made its point loud and clear. Ilaiyaraaja won his copyright battle against ‘Happy Raj’, with the Madras High Court ruling that his song was used without consent.
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Ilaiyaraaja has once again come out on top in a legal battle over his music. The Madras High Court has ruled in his favour in a copyright case involving the film Happy Raj.
Ilaiyaraaja alleged that his iconic song Pothuvaaga En Manasu Thangam, originally composed for the Rajinikanth starrer Murattu Kaalai, was used in GV Prakash Kumar’s film Happy Raj without his consent.
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According to Polimer, after hearing the matter, the Madras High Court restrained the makers of Happy Raj from using the song in the film.
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What makes this ruling particularly notable is its timing. The order came nearly three months after Happy Raj had already released in theatres on March 27. This means the court’s decision arrived well after the film had completed its theatrical run.
Ilaiyaraaja has been known for taking a firm stance on the ownership of his musical compositions over the years. He has consistently refused to accept the use of his songs without prior consent, regardless of the project or platform involved.
This latest ruling adds to a series of legal battles he has pursued to protect his creative work.
Happy Raj is directed by debutant Maria Raja Elanchezian. The film stars GV Prakash Kumar alongside Sri Gouri Priya in lead roles.
The film also marked a significant comeback for actor Abbas, who returned to the screen after a long break from acting.
Alongside the lead actors, Happy Raj features a strong supporting cast, including George Maryan, Geetha Kailasam, Prarthana, Madurai Muthu, Adhirchi Arun, Devi Mahesh, among others.
Happy Raj received positive response from audiences upon its release. Following the film’s success, GV Prakash Kumar and the team travelled across Tamil Nadu as part of a tour to thank fans.
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