Legendary composer Ilaiyaraaja has filed a lawsuit against the makers of the romantic comedy Dude starring Pradeep Ranganathan, alleging unauthorized use of his iconic song “Karutha Machan” from the 1991 film Pudhu Nellu Pudhu Naathu. The case, filed in the Madras High Court on October 22, 2025, targets Sony Music Entertainment India, Echo Recording Company, and Oriental Records, seeking full disclosure of revenue generated from the song’s inclusion in Dude. This marks the second legal clash between Ilaiyaraaja and production house Mythri Movie Makers, following the composer’s successful suit against their Ajith Kumar starrer Good Bad Ugly, which led to the film’s removal from Netflix. The court, under Justice N. Senthilkumar, has permitted Ilaiyaraaja to proceed with the suit against Dude’s team, amid the film’s strong box office run of over ₹41 crore in four days.
The Song in Question: A Humorous Needle Drop Gone Wrong
“Dude”, directed by Dhananjay and starring Ranganathan and Mamitha Baiju, is a youthful rom-com that has garnered acclaim for its breezy humor, crossing ₹41 crore in its first week. The song “Karutha Machan”, composed by Ilaiyaraaja for Bharathiraja’s Pudhu Nellu Pudhu Naathu, appears in a light-hearted interval dance sequence at a wedding, featuring the leads in a comedic routine. Ilaiyaraaja’s team argues that while licenses were reportedly purchased for ₹15-20 lakh from Sony Music, the use violated his moral rights under the Copyright Act, 1957, as no explicit consent was obtained for the commercial exploitation. “The song was used without my approval, diluting its artistic integrity,” Ilaiyaraaja stated through his counsel, S. Prabhakaran, during the hearing.
Echoes of Good Bad Ugly: Ilaiyaraaja’s Ongoing Copyright Crusade
This isn’t Ilaiyaraaja’s first skirmish with Mythri. Earlier in 2025, the composer won a landmark case against the production house for unauthorized use of three of his songs in Good Bad Ugly, leading to an interim injunction and the film’s removal from Netflix. The court awarded him ₹5 crore in compensation, setting a precedent for moral rights in Indian cinema. Ilaiyaraaja, with over 7,000 compositions, has been vocal about protecting his legacy, filing similar suits against Manjummel Boys (2024) and Good Bad Ugly. During the October 22 hearing, Prabhakaran informed the court that Sony Music had not filed a response despite notices, and the song continues to be used in the film’s theatrical run. Justice Senthilkumar returned Sony’s income statements as per Supreme Court orders but allowed the suit to proceed, with the next hearing on November 19.
A Clash Between Art and Commerce
For Ranganathan, whose Dude has been a critical and commercial success with ₹41 crore in four days, the lawsuit is a setback amid the film’s momentum. “We’re committed to resolving this amicably,” a Mythri spokesperson said, hinting at negotiations. Ilaiyaraaja’s actions highlight the growing tensions in Indian film music, where needle drops—brief song usages for nostalgia or humor—are common but increasingly scrutinized. One of the most discussed aspects of the case is the balance between artistic homage and copyright respect, with fans on X debating #IlaiyaraajaVsDude with 1 million posts: “Songs are art, not props—support the maestro!” In India’s diverse 780-language cinematic landscape, the suit underscores the need for clearer guidelines on moral rights, ensuring creators like Ilaiyaraaja—responsible for 7,000+ songs—receive due recognition.
A Melody of Moral Rights
Ilaiyaraaja’s suit against Dude isn’t vengeance—it’s a verdict on value. As “Karutha Machan” dances into court, it asks: Can one song’s echo enforce equity? With the maestro’s melody, the answer resounds yes, tuning Indian cinema toward fairer harmonies.
By -Manoj