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Renowned composer AR Rahman and the Association of Surgeons of India (ASI) have become entangled in a legal dispute. Both parties have exchanged notices and are demanding public apologies for alleged defamation. Rahman, the Indian musical composer and record producer, has served a Rs 10 crore defamation notice against the ASI, accusing them of damaging his reputation. In response, the ASI has issued a legal notice of Rs 15 crore, claiming that Rahman defamed the doctors and the medical association.
The dispute stems from a scheduled performance by Rahman at the 78th annual conference of the ASI in 2018, which ultimately did not take place. The ASI lodged a complaint with the Chennai police commissioner’s office on September 27, 2023, seeking the return of the advance amount of Rs 29.5 lakhs, which they had paid to Rahman for the conference. They alleged that Rahman failed to fulfill his obligations and has not returned the money for the past two years.
Rahman’s advocate, Narmadha Sampath, has denied these allegations and called on the surgeons association to withdraw their complaint. She sent a legal notice on October 3, demanding Rs 10 crore in compensation for what Rahman claims are false and baseless allegations that are defamatory in nature. Rahman’s advocate stated that he has no connection with the ASI and has never entered into any contractual obligation with them.
The advocate also refuted the claim that Rahman was booked for a show and paid an advance of Rs 29.50 lakh. She asserted that the ASI included Rahman’s name in their complaint to gain media attention. They demanded a public apology and Rs 10 crore in damages for defaming Rahman’s reputation, threatening legal action if their demands were not met.
It was revealed that a third party, Mr. Senthil Velan, and his companies were involved in the financial transaction, which Rahman was not aware of. The advocate argued that no monetary transaction had occurred in 2018.
In response to Rahman’s notice, the ASI issued a legal notice on October 4, demanding Rs 15 crore in compensation for allegedly defaming the doctors and the medical fraternity. They also requested a public apology, along with a refund of the amount paid, plus interest.
Advocate Shabnam Banu, representing the association of surgeons, stated that Rahman’s reply was evasive and that relying on his reputation would not absolve him from legal liability. They accused Rahman of misrepresenting facts and demanded that he apologize for wrongly accusing the association.
The ASI also contested Rahman’s claim of not being aware of the payment to a third party, arguing that it is implausible for an agreement to be based solely on the actions of a renowned artist.
Additionally, Advocate Shabnam alleged that Rahman further damaged the image of the surgeons association by publicizing his response in the media. They indicated that evidence related to the incident would be presented in court.
