Ilaiyaraaja’s Name Dropped from ‘Mrs. and Mr.’ Promotions, Producer Clarifies in Court

Speedy Summary

• Movie Details: Tamil movie Mrs. and Mr., directed by Vanitha Vijayakumar, released on July 11, 2025.
• Dispute: Music composer R. Ilaiyaraaja filed a civil suit against Vanitha Film Productions for using his name in promotional materials and the song Sivarathri, composed by him for another movie (Michael Madana Kama Rajan, 1990), without proper authorization.
• Court Proceedings:

– Justice Senthilkumar Ramamoorthy of Madras High Court noted the producer’s compliance to remove Ilaiyaraaja’s name from promotional platforms like Instagram.
– Ilaiyaraaja’s counsel argued that using his name amounted to misrepresentation, as he was not involved in composing music for Mrs. and Mr.

• Composer’s Demands:

– Removal of the song Sivarathri from the movie.- Permanent injunction against exploiting his personality rights for promotion.
– Disclosure of profits gained through such exploitation.

• Producer’s Clarifications: Jovika Vijayakumar was stated as the producer (not Vanitha Vijayakumar). Sony Music Entertainment holds rights to the disputed song; they may need inclusion in future legal proceedings.

Indian Opinion Analysis

This legal dispute highlights critical issues surrounding intellectual property rights and personality exploitation within India’s entertainment industry. The controversy underscores how unauthorized use of creative works or names can lead to misleading perceptions, affecting a creator’s reputation or legacy-a matter increasingly sensitive given evolving global standards on IP protection.

For filmmakers, this case serves as a cautionary tale about ensuring due diligence when licensing materials or using names tied to public figures before publication or launch. For artists like Ilaiyaraaja, it illustrates valid concerns over maintaining control of thier contributions and protecting their legacies. While no immediate interim relief has been granted besides removing promotional references with Ilaiyaraaja’s name, an outcome favoring transparent contracts may strengthen professionalism across India’s thriving film sector.Further deliberations will likely clarify procedural adjustments needed to accurately assign responsibility among producers and IP holders like Sony Music Entertainment.

Read more at The Hindu.