Copyright Case: Delhi HC Stays Injunction Granted to Dagar Against AR Rahman

The Delhi High Court, on Tuesday, stayed the interim injunction that was granted to Ustad Faiyaz Wasifuddin Dagar in his copyright infringement suit for his composition 'Shiva Stuti' against AR Rahman and others, for using the same in their movie Ponniyin Selvan – 2.

The bench of Justice C Hari Shankar and Justice Ajay Digpaul listed the matter for further consideration on May 23, 2025.

A bench of Justice Pratibha M Singh had earlier granted an interim injunction in favour of Ustad Faiyaz Wasifuddin Dagar in April 2025. Rahman has already deposited INR 2 crore following the order passed by the Single Judge Bench.

The bench of Justice Prathiba M. Singh held, “the core of the impugned song Veera Raja Veera is not just inspired but is in fact identical in Swaras (notes), Bhava (Emotion) and Aural impact (impact on the ear) of the suit composition Shiva Stuti, from the point of view of a lay listener. Hence the Defendant’s composition infringes the Plaintiff’s rights in Shiva Stuti”.

It was also opined that Dagar had not received appropriate acknowledgment as the original author of the composition, which was a critical violation of his moral rights. Court remarked, "These facts demonstrate the intricate link to the Shiva Stuti and Veera Raja Veera musical compositions. The balance of convenience is thus in favour of the Plaintiff as, once the movie and song lose their audience by the time trial is concluded, the Plaintiff would have lost any possibility of effective acknowledgment. Irreparable injury thus would be caused to the creative rights and moral rights of the original composers who are no longer alive”.

The Court thus granted interim injunction, which required Rahman along with others to cease using the composition without proper attribution.

Case Title: A.R. Rahman v Ustad Faiyaz Wasifuddin Dagar

[Inputs: ANI News]