S. P. Balasubrahmanyam, affectionately known as SPB, is widely acknowledged as a legendary figure in the realm of music. Renowned for his unparalleled vocal prowess, he has left an indelible mark on the Indian music industry, earning admiration and adoration from music enthusiasts worldwide. With a career spanning several decades, SPB’s contribution to the world of playback singing is nothing short of extraordinary. His mellifluous voice and versatile singing style have graced innumerable songs across various languages, including Tamil, Telugu, Hindi, Kannada, and Malayalam. Tragically, this musical maestro bid farewell to the mortal world in September 2020, leaving behind a legacy that transcends time.
Recently, a Telugu film titled “Keedaa Cola” has garnered attention for utilizing artificial intelligence to recreate the distinctive voice of the late legendary singer SP Balasubrahmanyam without obtaining consent from his family. The recreated voice is featured in the background during a particular scene in the film. In response to this unauthorized use, SPB’s son, SP Charan, has taken legal action by sending a formal notice to the filmmakers.
According to Kavitha Deenadayalan, the legal representative for SP Charan, it is emphasized that Charan and his family appreciate the genuine expressions of love from fans when they recreate SPB’s voice. However, the concern arises when such recreations are exploited for professional purposes, leading to financial gains. Deenadayalan notes the ethical approach taken by A.R. Rahman, who ensured proper credit was given to the late singer’s family when employing similar technology. In contrast, the team behind “Keedaa Cola” disregarded these ethical considerations by using SPB’s voice without consent, credit, or regard for his family’s wishes.
In detailing their demands from the film producers, Kavitha shared, “Our request encompasses three key aspects: a formal apology, payment of a compensation amounting to 1 crore for the damages incurred, and a stake in the royalty. This legal action represents what might be the initial case filed against the unauthorized utilization of AI-generated voices of singers.”
The lawyer shared her surprise because the filmmakers are now claiming they didn’t do anything wrong, despite openly admitting their actions in previous interviews. This contradiction between their current denial and past acknowledgment raises questions about the consistency of their stance on the matter.
Source: Times Of India
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