There has been much discourse around filmmakers using old Ilaiyaraaja songs in a remixed form as part of their narratives and without seeking permission from the legendary composer. The music director has taken legal measures against the practice, putting the makers of multiple films, such as Dude, Good Bad Ugly and Manjummel Boys, in troubled waters. Composer Sam CS recently talked about this subject in a recent conversation with CE. "It is not wrong to do this with his permission. However, those songs by themselves are hit numbers and composed by a legend. Why not use them in their original form?" Sam said. The composer also argued that remixing Ilaiyaraaja's compositions for commercial purposes would spoil their essence.
Sam argued that it is important to look at the requirement for the use of the legendary music director's songs for the film's context. The young composer shared that for one of his films, a love story set in the 1980s, he composed a song in retro-style. "It might not be a hit among the masses," Sam argued, before claiming that using an Ilaiyaraaja song for it instead, would mean the audience instantly connecting with it. Sam supported the legendary composer's decision to take legal action against filmmakers for the aforementioned and highlighted how the latter music director has worked without remuneration on films. "All he considered back then was not money but that the audience should like his songs," Sam explained. The composer added, "What is wrong with such a genuine person asking royalty for the songs he has composed?"
