The recent release of the title teaser for 'Coolie', the much-anticipated collaboration between superstar Rajinikanth and director Lokesh Kanagaraj, has been overshadowed by a copyright controversy. The teaser featured the iconic "Va Va Pakkam Va" song from the film "Thangamagan", originally composed by legendary musician Ilaiyaraaja. Anirudh Ravichander, the composer for "Coolie", incorporated the song into the teaser, which sparked the dispute.
Ilaiyaraaja, known for fiercely protecting his intellectual property, sent a copyright notice to the "Coolie" team for using his music without prior permission. This has caused a stir in the industry, with fans and media closely following the developments.
When questioned about the issue at the Chennai airport, Rajinikanth distanced himself from the controversy, stating, "The issue is between Ilaiyaraaja and producer Kalanithi Maran." This response indicates that the actor prefers to remain neutral while the involved parties seek a resolution.
The situation remains unresolved, leaving a cloud of uncertainty over the film's promotional activities. "Coolie" is set to feature Rajinikanth as a mafia don involved in gold smuggling. While the film is not part of Lokesh Kanagaraj's cinematic universe (LCU), it is expected to be a high-octane action thriller.