Composer Cleared to Use ‘Veera Raja Veera’ from Ponniyin Selvan II After Successful Appeal
Acclaimed music director AR Rahman secured a significant legal victory on Wednesday when the Delhi High Court overturned a ban on his song ‘Veera Raja Veera’ from Mani Ratnam’s epic film Ponniyin Selvan II. The Division Bench comprising Justices C Hari Shankar and Om Prakash Shukla ruled in Rahman’s favor, setting aside an earlier interim injunction that had prohibited the use of the composition.
“We have allowed the appeal and authored concurrent opinions, setting aside the impugned single-judge order on principle,” the bench declared, bringing relief to Rahman and the film’s production houses.
The Copyright Controversy
The legal battle began when renowned classical vocalist and Padma Shri recipient Ustad Faiyaz Wasifuddin Dagar filed a copyright infringement lawsuit against Rahman, along with production companies Madras Talkies, Lyca Productions, and Tips Industries. Dagar claimed that Rahman’s ‘Veera Raja Veera’ was an unauthorized copy of ‘Shiva Stuti,’ a classical composition created by his father Ustad Nasir Faiyazuddin Dagar and uncle Ustad Zahiruddin Dagar in the 1970s.
The complainant presented evidence of the original composition’s international recognition, citing performances at prestigious venues including Amsterdam’s Royal Tropical Institute in 1978 and its inclusion in the album ‘Shiva Mahadeva.’ As the legal heir to his father’s and uncle’s musical works, Dagar argued that Rahman’s version violated his copyright ownership.
Initial Court Ruling
Justice Prathiba M Singh had initially sided with Dagar, making a strong observation that ‘Veera Raja Veera’ was “not merely based on or inspired by Shiva Stuti but identical, with mere change in lyrics.” This ruling led to the interim injunction that prevented Rahman and the co-defendants from using the disputed composition.
Dagar’s legal demands included proper attribution across all platforms and a complete halt to the song’s commercial use. He also revealed that Rahman had once promised during a phone conversation to address the matter, though no resolution followed.
Defense Arguments
The defendants mounted a vigorous defense against the allegations. Madras Talkies dismissed the claims as “misconceived,” asserting that ‘Veera Raja Veera’ drew from traditional musical sources rather than copyrighted material. They accused Dagar of pursuing the case for publicity and financial gain.
Tips Industries added another layer to the defense, arguing that copyright protection cannot extend to singing techniques or performance styles, challenging the very basis of Dagar’s complaint.
What’s Next
While Wednesday’s ruling removes the immediate restriction on ‘Veera Raja Veera,’ the fundamental copyright infringement question remains unresolved. The case will proceed to address whether Rahman’s composition truly violates Dagar’s copyright claims, with both sides preparing for continued legal proceedings.
The victory allows Rahman and the Ponniyin Selvan II team to continue using the song commercially while the broader legal questions await final determination in court.
