Rahman directed to correct song credits in copyright dispute

The Delhi High Court has ruled that the song Veera Raja Veera from the film

Ponniyin Selvan 2

, composed by AR Rahman, bears a striking resemblance to Shiva Stuti, a classical composition by the legendary Dagar brothers, Ustad Nasir Zahiruddin and Ustad Nasir Faiyazuddin 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. Justice Prathiba M. Singh, who presided over the case, observed that the impugned track was "not merely based or inspired" by Shiva Stuti but "identical" in its musical structure, with only minor changes.
Credit where credit Is due

According to News 18, the court has directed both AR Rahman and the film's production house, Madras Talkies, to revise the song’s credits across all platforms. They are now required to replace the existing credit slide 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 update must be reflected on all OTT platforms and digital media where the song is available. The court emphasized the importance of giving proper recognition to classical composers, reaffirming that such original works are protected under the Copyright Act.
Legal and financial implications
In addition to the change in credits, the court has ordered AR Rahman and Madras Talkies to deposit Rs 2 crore with the court registry as a security amount, pending further proceedings. They have also been directed to pay Rs 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.