Delhi High Court directs AR Rahman to amend PS2 song credits after copyright dispute; demands Rs 2 Crore deposit

AR Rahman ordered to credit Dagar brothers for original composition

In a copyright infringement case involving the well-known song Veera Raja Veera from Ponniyin Selvan 2, the Delhi High Court has decided in favour of Ustad Faiyaz Wasifuddin Dagar. Oscar-winning musician AR Rahman wrote the song, which has drawn criticism for its uncanny resemblance to Shiva Stuti, a traditional Dhrupad composition that was first written by Dagar's father, Ustad Nasir Faiyazuddin Dagar, and uncle, Ustad Nasir Zahiruddin Dagar.

In an interim order, the court determined that the two compositions' similarities were more than just surface-level or loosely inspired. "This court holds that the impugned song is not merely based or inspired from the song composition of Shiva Stuti but is exact identical to the song composition with mere changes," said Justice Prathiba M. Singh during the case hearing.

A Padma Shri recipient and well-known practitioner of the Dagarvani tradition, Faiyaz Wasifuddin Dagar, filed the lawsuit, claiming that even though the film's lyrics are different, Veera Raja Veera's melody, rhythm, and musical arrangement too closely resembled Shiva Stuti, thereby amounting to unapproved replication.

In response, the Delhi High Court has directed AR Rahman and the production house, Madras Talkies, to revise the song credits across all platforms. The updated slide must state: “composition based on Shiva Stuti by late Ustad N Faiyazuddin Dagar and late Ustad Zahiruddin Dagar," thus ensuring due recognition of the original composers rather than attributing the work vaguely to the broader Dagarvani tradition.

Also Read: Local vendors near Mannat struggle as Shah Rukh Khan moves out with family

In addition, the court granted the Dagar family ₹2 lakh in legal expenses and directed AR Rahman and Madras Talkies to deposit ₹2 crore with the court registry. Credit was eventually granted, but only after Ustad Faiyaz brought up the issue, according to Justice Singh.

She added that if Hindustani classical music is an original composition, it is protected by the Copyright Act and that its legitimate creators are entitled to complete control and protection.

A complete copy of the court’s detailed judgement is expected to be released soon.