The makers of Suriya-starrer Karuppu have issued an apology and said they will remove a dialogue mocking Ilaiyaraaja’s copyright fight after it drew criticism on social media. The film, directed by RJ Balaji, has been receiving a good response in theatres and earned Rs 147 crore globally at the box office.

The controversy is related to a scene featuring the song Poradada from 1985 film Alai Osai, after which a dialogue about Ilaiyaraaja appeared. The dialogue was a dig at the music maestro and his infamous copyright strikes against unauthorised use of his songs in Tamil films. The line was criticised by several fans online, with the makers now responding by expressing regret, clarifying their intent and announcing a change in future versions of the film.

In its statement, the production house said the scene using Ilaiyaraaja’s name in Karuppu was a coincidental moment handled only with the intention of conveying the message. It said the team had no intention of hurting or tarnishing the image of the composer, whom it described as a music king who has ruled the world of music for more than 50 years.

The statement added that if Ilaiyaraaja, those associated with him, his fans or anyone else had been hurt by the scene, which it said was placed without any ulterior motive, the team was expressing its humble regret.

The makers further said they understood that a particular dialogue appearing in Karuppu had caused concern and upset Ilaiyaraaja. They said they sincerely regretted that the dialogue had led to such sentiments and added that there was absolutely no intention to offend, hurt or disrespect Ilaiyaraaja, his contribution or his rights in any manner.

According to the statement, the reference was part of a broader satirical context and was not conceived as a personal remark directed at him.

The statement also said the team deeply valued and respected Ilaiyaraaja’s feelings and, as a gesture of regard, had decided to remove or modify the concerned portion in future versions and subsequent exploitations of the film.

With Karuppu continuing to draw audiences to theatres, the makers have now apologised over the backlash around the Ilaiyaraaja reference and said the dialogue will be changed. Karuppu also stars Trisha, Indrans and Anagha Maya Ravi in key roles, while Sai Abhyankkar has composed the music.

Source: India Today