Makers of ‘Neelavelicham’ dismiss copyright claims raised by MS Baburaj’s family over the songs

Aashiq Abu’s upcoming film ‘Neelavelicham’ had landed in a legal soup, after the legendary musician MS Baburaj’s family sent a legal notice to the team citing the songs were used without prior permission. Makers of ‘Neelavelicham’ has now refuted the copyright claim raised by MS Baburaj’s family, and clarified that the production ‘followed all legal procedures, signed an agreement, and paid the required compensation to obtain the rights to rightfully reproduce those songs’.‘Neelavelicham’, based on the eponymous short story by Vaikom Muhammad Basheer is a remake of the classic ‘Bhargavi Nilayam’, released in 1964. Makers of ‘Neelavelicham’ reproduced the music, which was originally composed by MS Baburaj. “The production company that owned the copyright for the 1964 movie "Bhargavinilayam" acquired the necessary rights and permission to recreate and reuse its songs, including the ability to use new singers or change the orchestration. They obtained these rights from both the lyricists, Shri. P. Bhaskaran, and the descendants of the music director, Shri. M.S.Baburaj, who were authorized to grant them. OPM Cinemas, the producers of "Neelavelicham," followed all legal procedures, signed an agreement, and paid the required compensation to obtain the rights to rightfully reproduce those songs. We have all the relevant documents and records of all agreements, new and old (However, to protect the privacy of the parties involved in this lawsuit, their names are not disclosed here).” the statement said.