The Delhi High Court has ruled that the song Veera Raja Veera from the film Ponniyin Selvan 2, composed by A.R. Rahman, bears a striking resemblance to Shiva Stuti, a classical composition by the legendary Dagar brothers, Ustad Nasir Faiyazuddin Dagar and Ustad Nasir Zahiruddin Dagar. The ruling comes after classical musician and Padma Shri awardee Ustad Faiyaz Wasifuddin Dagar filed a copyright case, alleging that his family’s work was copied without due credit.
On April 25, 2025, Justice Prathiba M. Singh presided over the case and noted that the impugned track was "not merely based or inspired" by Shiva Stuti but "identical" in its musical structure, with only minor changes. The court emphasized the importance of giving proper recognition to classical composers, reaffirming that such original works are protected under the Copyright Act.
In addition to the change in credits, the court has ordered Rahman and Madras Talkies to deposit ₹2 crore with the court registry as a security amount, pending further proceedings. They have also been directed to pay ₹2 lakh to the Dagar family to cover litigation expenses. Justice Singh further criticized the production team for initially not acknowledging the Dagar brothers and for offering credit only after being contacted.
The lawsuit was initiated by Ustad Faiyaz Wasifuddin Dagar in 2023, who sought not only financial compensation but also a permanent injunction to protect his family's moral and creative rights. The Junior Dagar Brothers, Nasir Faiyazuddin and Nasir Zahiruddin, were highly respected exponents of the Dhrupad tradition, and their Shiva Stuti composition remains a significant contribution to Hindustani classical music.
According to reports, the court found that the song Veera Raja Veera is not just inspired by but essentially identical to the composition Shiva Stuti, with only minor alterations. Justice Singh ordered that new slides be added to the song, crediting the original composers—Nasir Faiyazuddin Dagar and Ustad N Zahiruddin Dagar. This update must be reflected on all OTT platforms and digital media where the song is available.
Ustad Faiyaz Wasifuddin Dagar contended in his lawsuit that he held the copyright in all original compositions of Junior Dagar Brothers, including Shiva Stuti, which the defendants had unlawfully infringed. He alleged that although Veera Raja Veera features different lyrics, its musical structure mirrors that of Shiva Stuti, a composition globally performed by the Junior Dagar Brothers and featured in PAN Records albums.
In response, A.R. Rahman denied the claims, asserting that Shiva Stuti is a traditional Dhrupad composition in the public domain. He maintained that Veera Raja Veera is an original creation, built using Western musical principles and comprising 227 distinct layers—surpassing the framework of traditional Hindustani classical music.
Justice Singh noted that the balance of convenience was in favor of Dagar and against Rahman and other defendants. "In the ultimate analysis, therefore, this court holds that the impugned song is not merely based on or inspired by the suit composition Shiva Stuti but is, in fact, identical to the suit composition with mere change in lyrics," the court said.
As a corrective step, the court directed that on all OTT and online platforms, the slide depicting the credits in regard to the impugned song shall be replaced with one that specifically attributes the composition to the late Ustad Zahiruddin Dagar and Ustad Faiyazuddin Dagar, rather than the vague mention of the "Dagarvani tradition." This correction is meant to give proper recognition to the Junior Dagar Brothers for their composition Shiva Stuti, which the court found closely linked to the film song.
The court also pointed out that Rahman and Madras Talkies had not credited the Dagar brothers at first. It was only after Ustad Faiyaz Wasifuddin Dagar reached out that a reluctant acknowledgment was made. "Further correspondence ensued but there was no resolution," the court observed.
The ₹2 crore deposit ordered by the court will remain in a fixed deposit, pending the final outcome of the lawsuit. The case highlights broader concerns about respecting and crediting original classical compositions, even when they are adapted into modern works.
In summary, the Delhi High Court's decision underscores the importance of protecting artistic rights and ensuring that original creators receive the recognition they deserve in the ever-evolving landscape of music.
