The film was initially announced with Devi Sri Prasad as the composer, in his first collaboration with Adhik Ravichandran and second with Ajith Kumar after Veeram (2014).[1][2] However, Prasad was replaced due to creative differences with the production company Mythri Movie Makers, as he blamed them for being complained about failing to deliver the songs and background score on time for Pushpa 2: The Rule (2024).[3]G. V. Prakash Kumar, who had worked on Adhik's Trisha Illana Nayanthara (2015) and Mark Antony (2023), was then reported to replace Prasad as the composer.[4][5] His involvement was confirmed by the producers on 28 February 2025, during the film's teaser release.[6][7]Good Bad Ugly also marked Prakash's second collaboration with Ajith after 18 years, since Kireedam (2007).[5]
Prakash described Good Bad Ugly as one of the challenging projects because he joined the film very late and had nearly a month to score the film as well as compose fresh music for the songs that had been shot.[8] Since the entire film was completed, Prakash added that he had the final visual footage in hand and his songs had to match the lip sync throughout the runtime, recalling a similar incident on composing "Un Mela Aasadhaan" in Aayirathil Oruvan (2010).[8] Comparing it being starkingly different to Kireedam whose soundtrack "was really classy and entirely in lieu of the storyline", Prakash admitted that the film's score and songs were "designed inch-by-inch for a theatrical experience to the hilt, set to elevate each frame and Ajith sir's performance".[8]
Release
The first single titled "OG Sambavam" sung by G. V. Prakash Kumar and Adhik, under the lyrics of Vishnu Edavan, was released on 18 March 2025.[9][10] The second single titled "God Bless U", featured vocals by Anirudh Ravichander, written by Rokesh and rap performed by Paal Dabba, was released on 30 March 2025.[11][12][13] The third single titled "Ak The Tiger" was released on 9 April 2025.[14] The song is a recreation of "Puli Puli" performed by Malaysian Samba rock artist Darkkey Nagaraja and his band Darkeys and the Keys.[15][16] The fourth song "Ranagalam", performed by Smith Asher and Nixen, was released as part of the album on 10 April.[17]
Gopinath Rajendran of The Hindu wrote "GV Prakash's songs might not have hit the bullseye, but his background score amps up the star vehicle."[19] Balakrishna Ganeshan of The News Minute wrote "The only person who seems to have understood the assignment of this crazy project is GV Prakash. He has delivered a fun background music complimenting the proceedings."[20] Latha Srinivasan of Hindustan Times wrote "GV Prakash Kumar's background score does justice to Ajith's elevation scenes, and several songs are already chartbusters."[21] Janani K of India Today wrote "GV Prakash's music turned out good in places and jarring in other places."[22]
Additional music
The film features the following songs: "Ilamai Idho Idho" from Sakalakala Vallavan (1982), "En Jodi Manja Kuruvi" from Vikram (1986), "Oththa Roova" from Nattupura Pattu (1996; which was also remixed), "April Maathathil" from Vaalee (1999), "Aadiyila Kaathadicha" from Villain (2002), "Thottu Thottu Pesum" from Ethirum Puthirum (1999), "Vizhiyil" from Kireedam, "Aaluma Doluma" from Vedalam (2015). Additionally, an adapted Tamil version of the popular Odia song "Chhi Chhi Chhi Re Nani" and the gaana song "Stove Mela Kadai" was also featured in the film.[19][23][a]
Legal issues
After the film's release, musician Ilaiyaraaja filed a legal notice against Mythri Movie Makers, the film's production company for using his compositions—"Ilamai Idho Idho", "En Jodi Manja Kuruvi" and "Oththa Roova"—without obtaining his permission. Noting this violated Section 51 of the Copyright Act of India, he demanded ₹5 crore (US$590,000) compensation, removal of the said songs and a written apology from the producers, for the commercial exploitation of his works.[25][26] Co-producer Y. Ravi Shankar retorted that they followed protocol by obtaining approval from the record labels of the songs since they are the rights holders.[27] Despite this, in late May, Kasthuri Raja, director of Nattupura Pattu, announced his plans to sue the makers for using "Oththa Roova" without his permission.[28] On early September, Ilaiyaraaja filed a case in the Madras High Court against the producers,[29] and on 8 September, the court granted an interim injunction restraining the film from being exhibited with the disputed songs pending resolution of the case.[30]
Guitars: Dan Kristen Pandian, Smith Asher, Shiv Paul, Boy MJ
Trumpets and trombones: Maxwell, Babu
Studios: Divine Labs, Sounds Right, River Records India, Albuquerque Records, Synergy
Recording engineers: Roopash Tiwari, Manu Ravichandran, Ashwin George John, Hariharan A, Srinivasan M, R. Ananthakrishnan, Eashwar Venkatesh
Pre-mixing: Roopash Tiwari
Mixing and mastering: Jehovahson Alghar
Musicians' assistance: P. Rajamurugan
Notes
↑ Some of the songs were different in the film's theatrical versions in both India and overseas. For instance, in the jail fight sequence with Ajith, the song "Aadiyila Kaathadicha" was played in the overseas version, while the Indian version had the song "Stove Mela Kadai" being played in the same sequence. Similarly, During Jammy's (Arjun Das) entry sequence, the song "En Jodi Manja Kuruvi" is played in the overseas version, while in the Indian version, the sequence is soundtracked with the remix of the same song with lyrics from "Otha Rooba Tharen".[23][24]
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Good Bad Ugly- Jukebox on YouTube