Ajith Kumar’s film Good Bad Ugly, which enjoyed a strong theatrical run earlier this year, has now landed in legal trouble. The film, directed by Adhik Ravichandran, has been pulled down from the OTT platform following a court ruling related to copyright infringement. The issue revolves around the "unauthorised" use of iconic songs composed by music legend Ilaiyaraaja. Known for his strict stance on intellectual property rights, Ilaiyaraaja took legal action against the film’s producers, accusing them of using his work without proper permission or royalty settlement.

Good Bad Ugly removed from OTT platform

Good Bad Ugly, which released in cinemas on April 10, 2025, made its digital debut on Netflix on May 8. However, the film was recently removed from the platform after a court order issued by Justice N Senthilkumar. The verdict explicitly barred the producers from exhibiting or streaming the film with the disputed songs. These include popular Tamil hits like Ottha Ruba Tharen, En Jodi Manja Kuruvi, and Ilamai Idho Idho, classics originally composed by Ilaiyaraaja. The composer reportedly demanded Rs 5 crore in compensation along with a formal written apology from the production team before escalating the matter legally.


The copyright lawsuit filed by Ilaiyaraaja alleges that the filmmakers used his music without obtaining the necessary permissions or agreeing to any royalty terms. As a result, the court's ruling forced Netflix to take down the film from its platform. The streaming platform has not yet released an official statement on whether the film will return with revised music or if further legal discussions are ongoing.

All you need to know about Good Bad Ugly

The cast of Good Bad Ugly features a star-studded lineup including Ajith Kumar, Trisha, Arjun Das, Prasanna, Prabhu, and Sunil. The film had generated buzz prior to its release, especially for its mass action, stylish presentation, and nostalgia-driven music choices. But it is precisely this musical nostalgia that has now led to the controversy.


For the unversed, this isn’t the first time Ilaiyaraaja has taken legal action over the unauthorised use of his music. In recent years, he has issued notices to the makers of Manjummel Boys, Coolie, and several other films.

As the case unfolds, it remains to be seen whether Good Bad Ugly will return to streaming, and if so, whether it will do so with a revised soundtrack that avoids further legal challenges.