The ₹1 Crore Reason Rajinikanth Songs Disappeared From CSK IPL 2026 Promotions

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Chennai Super Kings (CSK) will not use songs or background music from Rajinikanth films during IPL 2026 promotions or match-day content after a copyright dispute reached the Madras High Court.

The franchise gave this assurance in court following a legal complaint filed by Sun TV Network, which alleged that CSK used copyrighted music and dialogues from Rajinikanth films without permission.

Here's a breakdown of the issue and why the change is happening.

What happened between Sun TV and Chennai Super Kings?

The controversy began when Sun TV Network approached the Madras High Court accusing CSK of using copyrighted material in its promotional content.

According to the petition, CSK used background scores and dialogues from Rajinikanth films in social media promotional videos without obtaining the necessary licences from the rights holders.

The complaint specifically mentioned the use of music tracks such as the "Harbour Gang" background score from the film Coolie, as well as music associated with Jailer and Jailer 2. These films are produced by Sun TV and feature music composed by Anirudh Ravichander.

Sun TV argued that the use of this material amounted to copyright infringement and demanded damages of ₹1 crore.

How CSK used the songs

The petition also highlighted that the music and dialogues were used in promotional videos released by the franchise, including a campaign around the launch of the IPL 2026 jersey.

The promotional clip reportedly featured captain MS Dhoni's arrival along with Rajinikanth film music in the background.

Sun TV claimed that the use of the songs helped boost merchandise promotion and fan engagement, especially given Rajinikanth's massive popularity in Tamil Nadu.

CSK responds in court

During the hearing, CSK acknowledged that parts of Rajinikanth film music had been used in its promotional material in the past.

However, the franchise told the court that it would stop using such content unless it receives proper permission from the copyright holders.

CSK's legal counsel assured the court that the team has already removed the disputed material from its social media platforms and will not reuse it without obtaining the required licences.

The franchise has also agreed to submit a formal affidavit confirming this undertaking.

Why copyright issues matter in sports promotions

The case highlights how sports organisations must be careful when using music or film content in promotional material.

Even short clips of songs used in social media posts, highlight videos or stadium entertainment can violate copyright rules if the rights have not been licensed for that platform.

Using copyrighted music without permission can lead to legal action, financial penalties and removal of the content.

Similar disputes in the IPL before

This is not the first time IPL teams have faced legal scrutiny over music usage.

In 2016, the Indian Singers' Rights Association (ISRA) approached the Delhi High Court against the BCCI and IPL franchises for allegedly playing Bollywood songs during matches without paying royalties to performers.

At the time, the court directed event organisers to temporarily stop playing certain songs during games until proper permissions were secured.

What happens next

The Madras High Court has recorded CSK's assurance and asked the franchise to submit a formal affidavit confirming it will not use Rajinikanth film music without authorisation.

The next hearing in the case is scheduled soon, and the outcome could set an important precedent for how sports franchises handle copyrighted entertainment content in their promotional campaigns.