Celebs Speech @ Jawaan Movie Pre Release Event

Director Anil Ravipudi has finally put an end to speculation regarding the use of an Ilaiyaraaja composition in Megastar Chiranjeevi’s latest film, Mana Shankar Vara Prasad Garu. Speaking to the media on Tuesday evening, Ravipudi clarified that the team had formally approached the legendary composer and obtained his approval to feature the evergreen song.

The director explained that the makers followed the proper procedure, seeking permission before incorporating the iconic romantic melody “Sundari” from the classic film Dalapathi. Ravipudi added that Ilaiyaraaja immediately accepted the proposal and assured the team there was no cause for concern. Emphasising the importance of due process, he noted that adhering to the correct protocol helps avoid unnecessary controversies.

Since the film’s release, audiences have praised the sequence featuring “Sundari”, applauding Ravipudi for recreating a nostalgic, heartfelt moment that resonates with fans of the original song. In the past, Ilaiyaraaja has taken legal action against filmmakers for unauthorised use of his compositions, with courts sometimes ordering songs to be removed from theatres and OTT platforms. For instance, Mythri Movie Makers reportedly paid around ₹75 lakh for using a few of his songs in Good Bad & Ugly, while the composer did not charge a fee for his music in the Tamil film Lumber Pandhu.

Industry insiders believe that approaching the composer well in advance and following the proper procedure often proves crucial in avoiding legal and reputational issues.