Delhi High Court Stays Interim Order Against AR Rahman in Copyright Case

The Delhi High Court has given temporary relief to music legend AR Rahman and the team behind Ponniyin Selvan 2 by putting a hold on an earlier ruling in a copyright dispute over the song Veera Raja Veera. On May 6, 2025, Justices C Hari Shankar and Ajay Digpaul decided to pause the previous order, which had claimed the song was a copy of Shiva Stuti, a traditional piece by the late Junior Dagar Brothers—Ustad Nasir Faiyazuddin Dagar and Ustad Nasir Zahiruddin Dagar.

The lawsuit came from Ustad Faiyaz Wasifuddin Dagar, a Padma Shri recipient, who said Veera Raja Veera violated Shiva Stuti's copyright. Back in April 2025, Justice Prathiba M Singh ruled that the two songs were nearly identical in their music, mood, and overall feel. She ordered Rahman, Madras Talkies, and Lyca Productions to pay Rs 2 crore into a court account and Rs 2 lakh to the plaintiff, while also requiring them to credit the Junior Dagar Brothers on streaming platforms.

Rahman’s legal team argued that Shiva Stuti is part of the Dhrupad tradition, a style of music that’s freely available to the public and not protected by copyright. The court agreed that since the song has been in the public domain since 2023, the earlier ruling should be paused until May 23, 2025, when the case will be reviewed again. However, the court kept the requirement to deposit Rs 2 crore with the court within 10 days, to be held in a fixed deposit until the case is settled.

This case has started a bigger conversation about where to draw the line between inspiration and copying, especially when it comes to India’s rich musical heritage. It’s a tricky balance between protecting original work and giving artists room to create something new, and all eyes are on how this will play out.