The Delhi High Court has set aside an interim injunction issued against AR Rahman in a copyright dispute over Veera Raja Veera, a track from Mani Ratnam’s Ponniyin Selvan 2 (2023).
A Division Bench of Justices C Hari Shankar and Om Prakash Shukla allowed Rahman’s appeal, ruling that the earlier single-judge order could not stand. The judges clarified they had not decided on the question of copyright infringement itself.
The case was filed by Padma Shri awardee Faiyaz Wasifuddin Dagar, who alleged that Veera Raja Veera copied the structure and rhythm of Shiva Stuti, a composition by his father Nasir Faiyazuddin Dagar and uncle Zahiruddin Dagar. Performed globally by the Junior Dagar brothers and released by PAN Records, the work is considered part of the Dhrupad tradition.
Rahman denied the allegations, arguing that Shiva Stuti is a traditional composition in the public domain. He also maintained that Veera Raja Veera was an original creation, layered with 227 distinct musical tracks and based on Western fundamentals.
Earlier this year, a single-judge had directed Rahman and the film’s producers to credit the Dagar brothers, imposed costs of ₹2 lakh, and ordered a deposit of ₹2 crore. The Division Bench later stayed the injunction and costs but required the deposit.
With Wednesday’s order, the injunction stands withdrawn, though the larger copyright issue remains undecided.
