Indian Musician AR Rahman Faces INR 2 Crore Penalty in Copyright Lawsuit

Indian music legend AR Rahman and the producers of Ponniyin Selvan II have been ordered by the Delhi High Court to deposit INR 2 crores in connection with a copyright infringement case.

According to reports from Indian media, the court has instructed Rahman and Madras Talkies, the production company behind the Tamil film, to pay this amount into the court registry. Additionally, the court has mandated a payment of INR 2 lakh in damages to the Dagar family.

The legal action was initiated by classical vocalist Faiyaz Wasifuddin Dagar in 2023, who accused AR Rahman and the makers of Ponniyin Selvan II of infringing on the copyright of “Shiva Stuti,” a composition by the Junior Dagar Brothers, which was used in the song “Veera Raja Veera” from the film. Dagar sought a permanent injunction to prevent the future use of the song and demanded compensation, along with recognition of moral rights. He claimed that the musical structure, taal, and beat of “Veera Raja Veera” were copied from “Shiva Stuti,” albeit with different lyrics.

Rahman, however, defended the track, asserting that “Veera Raja Veera” was an original composition that blended Western musical influences, with 227 distinct layers. He also argued that “Shiva Stuti” is a traditional piece, part of the public domain within Hindustani classical music.

Justice Prathiba M Singh, overseeing the case, ruled that “Veera Raja Veera” was not merely inspired by but closely mirrored the structure of “Shiva Stuti.” In addition to the damages, the court also ordered that the Dagar Brothers be credited on all online and OTT platforms where the song is featured.

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