T Rajender  
Cinema

T Rajender files suit to restrain exploitation of Uyirullavarai Usha songs

The film was re-released in February 2026 by Simbu Cine Arts.

DTNEXT Bureau

CHENNAI: Filmmaker, actor, and music composer T Rajender has instituted a suit before the Madras High Court seeking an injunction to restrain commercial exploitation of the songs from his film Uyirullavarai Usha.

T Rajender and his wife, Usha Rajender, have filed a joint civil suit before the Madras High Court alleging infringement of their copyright over the songs of his 1983 movie Uyirullavarai Usha, starring T Rajender, Saritha, and Nalini, among others. The movie was produced by Thanjai Cine Arts, owned by Usha Rajender. The film was re-released in February 2026 by Simbu Cine Arts.

Songs’ rights transferred multiple times

The movie had popular songs such as Vaigai karai kaatre nillu, vanji thanai paarthaa sollu sung by veteran KJ Yesudas, Indiralogathu sundari rathiri kanavinil vanthaalo sung by late SP Balasubrahmanyam and Unnaithane azhaithen, urangaamal thavithen sung by S Janaki. It is stated that the copyright in the songs was originally assigned to AVM Productions and has subsequently been transferred multiple times.

In the suit, they seek to restrain AVM Productions and WL Epic Media from commercially exploiting the songs in violation of copyright.

Hearing adjourned to April 20

Upon hearing the matter, Justice Senthilkumar Ramamoorthy on Monday (March 30) directed AVM Productions and WL Epic Media to file their response on or before April 20 and adjourned the matter for further hearing.

Custodial death: Prosecution pulled up for delay in filing reports

Chennai Corporation to fall short of Rs 2,750-cr target of tax collection this year

IIT-M opens PG admissions for 2026–27; applications close April 27

Two days of stock market slump wipes out Rs 18.60 lakh cr from investors' wealth