Music director Ravi Shankar Sharma, popularly known as Ravi, has issued a legal notice to the producers of the Oscar award winning film "Slumdog Millionaire" seeking Rs 20 crore damages and compensation for using a song composed by him 50 years ago.

Celador Films Ltd, makers of the film which won eight Academy Awards have replied to the notice by saying that they are examining the authenticity of Ravi's claim.

In the notice Ravi claimed that the bhajan, 'Darshan Do...' from the film "Narsi Bhagat" was composed by him more than 50 years ago and has been used in several scenes of the film "Slumdog Millionaire".

"The song was used without obtaining any permission or consent in writing. Also no credit was given for the song in the film," the 83-year-old composer said, adding that it was clearly a case of copyright violation.

Ravi said that the song forms an important part of the film and has been sung by an important character.

The music director's lawyer Vibhav Krishna said that the producers of 'Slumdog Millionaire' have earned Rs 400 crore from the film and therefore the compensation of Rs 20 crore was just and fair.

Celador Films have meanwhile taken up the issue with Cine Music Directors Association (CMDA) and Indian Motion Pictures Producers Association (IMPPA) to find out whether Ravi composed the song.

They have also called upon the music director to identify the basis of his ownership of copyright claim and forward copies of documents in support of it.

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