The Delhi High Court has ordered music composer AR Rahman and the makers of Ponniyin Selvan 2 to deposit Rs 2 crore in a copyright lawsuit over the song Veera Raja Veera.
The court ruled that the song is “identical” in notes, emotion, and aural impact to Shiva Stuti, a classical composition by the Junior Dagar Brothers, Late Ustad N. Faiyazuddin Dagar and Late Ustad Zahiruddin Dagar.
Justice Prathiba M. Singh, in an interim order on April 25, found that Veera Raja Veera infringed the copyright held by Ustad Faiyaz Wasifuddin Dagar, the son and nephew of the original composers. The court directed the defendants AR Rahman, Madras Talkies, and Lyca Productions to deposit Rs 2 crore in a fixed deposit pending the lawsuit’s outcome and pay Rs 2 lakh in costs to the complainant.
இளையராஜா சொந்தமா கம்போஸ் பண்ண பாட்டுக்கு ராயல்டி கேட்டா மேலேயும் கீழேயும் குதிப்பானுங்க, ஆனா AR Rahman இன்னொருத்தர் போட்ட பாட்ட சுட்டு போட்டார்னு கோர்ட் ரெண்டு கோடி ரூபாய் ஒரிஜினல் பாட்டு சொந்தக்காரருக்கு கொடுக்க சொல்லி இருக்கு வாய மூடிட்டு அமைதியா இருக்கானுங்க .
என்ன பொழப்பு… pic.twitter.com/DugJnuQSnJ
— Shalin Maria Lawrence (@TheBluePen25) April 25, 2025The court also mandated a slide crediting the Junior Dagar Brothers for Shiva Stuti in the film on all OTT and online platforms. The judge noted that the song’s core is not merely inspired but identical to Shiva Stuti, despite added modern elements and changed lyrics, violating the original composers’ creative and moral rights.
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Ustad Faiyaz Wasifuddin Dagar argued that he holds the copyright to his family’s compositions, including Shiva Stuti, and that the defendants used it without permission. The court highlighted that AR Rahman initially failed to acknowledge the original work and only did so reluctantly after contact from the complainant. It also noted that the singers of Veera Raja Veera are disciples of the complainant, underscoring the connection between the compositions.
The bench said that the song ‘Veera Raja Veera’ from the film ‘Ponniyin Selvan 2’ was identical to a composition named ‘Shiva Stuti’.https://t.co/A1IzhAr0hX#ARRahman #PS2 pic.twitter.com/rBYRtMIsRg
— Scroll.in (@scroll_in) April 25, 2025AR Rahman’s counsel claimed Shiva Stuti is a traditional dhrupad piece in the public domain and is not eligible for copyright protection. However, the court found a prima facie infringement case, stating that without an interim order, the complainant would face irreparable harm. The ruling emphasises protecting original musical works and ensuring proper credit.
