Did AR Rahman Copy a Classical Composition for 'Veera Raja Veera'? Delhi High Court Thinks So—for Now.

In a significant legal development, the celebrated Indian music composer A.R. Rahman and the esteemed film production house Madras Talkies have encountered a notable setback in an ongoing copyright infringement case related to the popular song 'Veera Raja Veera' from the 2023 Tamil historical epic Ponniyin Selvan 2. The Delhi High Court, in an interim ruling delivered on April 25, 2025, sided with the petitioner and directed the respondents to make a substantial deposit of ₹2 crore with the court registry during the pendency of the legal proceedings. This financial order is part of the court’s broader response to the plaintiff’s plea for protection of intellectual property rights.

The case was brought before the court by Faiyaz Wasifuddin Dagar, an eminent Hindustani classical vocalist and a recipient of the Padma Shri, one of India’s most prestigious civilian honors. In 2023, Dagar had filed a civil suit accusing A.R. Rahman and the film’s producers of unlawfully copying the musical composition of ‘Shiva Stuti’—a traditional devotional piece originally composed and performed by his father Nasir Faiyazuddin Dagar and uncle Zahiruddin Dagar, collectively revered as the Junior Dagar Brothers.

Dagar’s central claim revolves around the allegation that the musical structure, rhythm (taal), and beat pattern of Veera Raja Veera are not merely inspired by Shiva Stuti but are, in fact, “identical in essence,” albeit with some superficial alterations such as different lyrics. He argued that while the text may differ, the foundation of the musical work—its core composition—remains unmistakably the same as Shiva Stuti, a revered piece in the Dhrupad tradition of Indian classical music.

Presiding over the matter, Justice Prathiba M. Singh delivered an interim verdict in favor of Dagar’s plea, noting that the similarities between the two compositions were far too close to be considered coincidental or merely inspirational. The Court concluded that Veera Raja Veera does not merely take creative liberties from Shiva Stuti, but rather closely replicates it with limited changes. Accordingly, she ruled that during the continuation of this copyright suit, Rahman and Madras Talkies are required to deposit ₹2 crore with the court to serve as a financial safeguard.

Furthermore, the Court also expressed concern over the lack of due credit given to the Junior Dagar Brothers for their contribution to the musical heritage on which the song was allegedly based. It noted that initial releases of the movie and song did not include any acknowledgment of the original composers. Taking a firm stance on this omission, the Court ordered that appropriate credits recognizing the contributions of Nasir Faiyazuddin and Zahiruddin Dagar be included on all online platforms where the film is available. This includes major streaming services where the film is currently being distributed.

Additionally, as a form of penalty for what was deemed a lack of due diligence and respect toward original creators, the Court imposed a cost of ₹2 lakh on Rahman and the production company.

Rahman, on his part, has strongly denied the allegations. In his defense, his legal team argued that Shiva Stuti is not a private or protected composition but a part of the traditional Dhrupad genre, which is generally considered to be part of the public domain. They also maintained that Veera Raja Veera is an independently composed piece that merges Indian classical inspirations with a wide range of Western musical techniques. The defense claimed that the composition comprises 227 musical layers, setting it apart from conventional Hindustani classical arrangements and affirming its originality.

Representing Mr. Dagar were advocates Neel Mason and Arjun Harkauli, who made the case for copyright infringement and the violation of moral rights under Indian law. On the opposing side, Senior Advocate Amit Sibal, instructed by the legal firm Bharucha & Partners, represented A.R. Rahman. The team from Bharucha & Partners included Kaushik Moitra (Partner), Vaishnavi Rao (Managing Associate), Karnika Vallabh (Counsel), and Subhalaxmi Sen (Senior Associate). Legal representation for Madras Talkies and Lyca Productions, the co-producers of the film, was led by Advocates Saikrishna Rajagopal and Sneha Jain.

This case has raised important questions about the protection of classical music traditions, the interpretation of public domain compositions, and the responsibilities of modern artists to credit traditional sources. As the case continues, it may have wider implications for how India’s courts address the overlap between artistic inspiration and copyright protection, especially in cases where ancient musical traditions intersect with contemporary pop culture.