In a significant development in the long-running copyright dispute over a popular song from the film Ponniyin Selvan: II, the Supreme Court has upheld an earlier order directing Oscar-winning composer A.R. Rahman and the film’s producers to deposit ₹2 crore with the Delhi High Court as security in connection with an ongoing legal battle. The top court also underscored the need to recognise the contribution of classical musicians from the Dagar tradition in the disputed composition.
The case centers on the song “Veera Raja Veera”, composed by Rahman for Ponniyin Selvan 2, which was released in 2023. Ustad Faiyaz Wasifuddin Dagar, a Padma Shri-winning classical musician, alleged that the track’s core musical composition was lifted from a classical Dhrupad piece called “Shiva Stuti”, originally composed and performed by his father Ustad Nasir Faiyazuddin Dagar and uncle Ustad Nasir Zahiruddin Dagar, the ‘Junior Dagar Brothers’.
In April 2025, Justice Prathiba M Singh of the Delhi High Court ruled that “Veera Raja Veera” was not merely inspired by the classical piece but was “identical” in its musical structure, emotional expression, and aural impact to Shiva Stuti, a composition rooted in the Hindustani classical Dagarvani tradition.
The court described the similarity as extending beyond mere stylistic influence to an actual replication of the core melody and emotional effect. On that basis, the judge directed Rahman and the film’s production house Madras Talkies to deposit ₹2 crore as security and also revise the song’s credits on all OTT and digital platforms to clearly acknowledge the original composers.
A.R. Rahman and the film’s makers immediately appealed this interim High Court ruling, questioning both the finding of infringement and the directions on credits and compensation. In September 2025, a division bench of the Delhi High Court stayed parts of the order, including the direction on credits.
However, in its recent hearing, the Supreme Court revived the High Court’s directive requiring Rahman to deposit ₹2 crore with the Delhi High Court registry.
The matter has been listed for further hearing on February 20, 2026.
– Magizh
