A R Rahman
| Photo Credit: PTI
Music composer AR Rahman and production company Madras Talkies suffered a blow in the Delhi High Court on Friday after the court issued an interim order in a copyright infringement case over the song Veera Raja Veera from the film Ponniyin Selvan 2.
The case was filed by Indian classical vocalist and Padma Shri awardee Faiyaz Wasifuddin Dagar, who claimed the song was a direct copy of Shiva Stuti, a traditional Dhrupad composition created by his father Nasir Faiyazuddin Dagar and uncle Zahiruddin Dagar — collectively known as the Junior Dagar Brothers.
Justice Prathiba M Singh, presiding over the matter, held that Veera Raja Veera was not simply inspired by Shiva Stuti but was “identical” to it with minor alterations. In light of this, the court directed Rahman and Madras Talkies to deposit ₹2 crore with the court registry while the case proceeds. Additionally, the court imposed a ₹2 lakh cost on the defendants.
Further, the producers were ordered to credit the Junior Dagar Brothers in the film on all online platforms, noting that no acknowledgment had been initially given.
Dagar’s legal team argued that while the lyrics of Veera Raja Veera differ, the musical structure — taal, beat, and arrangement — matches Shiva Stuti. The original piece has been performed worldwide and was part of several albums released by PAN Records.
Rahman, however, has denied any wrongdoing. His legal team argued that Shiva Stuti is a traditional piece from the Dhrupad repertoire and thus belongs to the public domain. They maintained that Veera Raja Veera was an original creation, incorporating 227 unique musical layers, and influenced by Western orchestration rather than Hindustani classical styles.
Faiyaz Wasifuddin Dagar is represented by advocates Neel Mason and Arjun Harkauli. Senior advocate Amit Sibal, instructed by Bharucha & Partners, represents Rahman. Madras Talkies and Lyca Productions are represented by Saikrishna Rajagopal and Sneha Jain.
Published – April 25, 2025 05:05 pm IST