The Delhi High Court has ordered famous music composer AR Rahman and the makers of the film Ponniyin Selvan 2 to pay ₹2 crore. This decision comes after a lawsuit claimed that Rahman’s song Veera Raja Veera copied an old classical composition called Shiv Stuti, performed by the late Junior Dagar Brothers.
AR Rahman to Pay ₹2 Crore for Copyright Violation
The court found that Rahman’s song was not just inspired by the old piece but was almost identical to it. Justice Prathiba M Singh said that even though the lyrics were changed and some modern elements were added, the basic musical structure remained the same. Because of this, the court ruled that it was a case of copyright infringement.
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The High Court also asked the film’s producers to give proper credit to the Junior Dagar Brothers. They must add a special slide in the movie for all online and OTT platforms, mentioning their contribution. Additionally, the court awarded ₹2 lakh to the family of the Junior Dagar Brothers to recognize their work and legacy.
This controversy started when Ustad Faiyaz Wasifuddin Dagar, the son of Faiyazuddin Dagar and nephew of Zahiruddin Dagar, filed a case. He claimed that he owns the copyrights for all original compositions of the Junior Dagar Brothers, including Shiv Stuti. He argued that while the lyrics in Rahman’s song were different, the beat, rhythm, and musical style were exactly the same.
In defense, Rahman’s legal team said that Shiv Stuti belongs to the traditional Dhrupad genre, which is part of the public domain, meaning anyone can use it freely. They argued that because of its traditional nature, it should not be protected under copyright law. However, the court did not accept this argument and still found that Rahman’s song had copied the original composition.
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As a result, the ₹2 crore will be deposited in the court until the final decision of the case is made. The outcome of this case is important because it highlights how traditional music and modern creativity can clash in today’s entertainment world. It also shows the importance of giving proper credit to original artists and respecting their work, even many years after it was created.
