Mirzapur The Movie: Rapperiya Baalam Alleges Copyright Violation Over Shoorveer Song

The cinematic adaptation of the popular franchise, Mirzapur: The Movie, featuring a stellar cast including Pankaj Tripathi, Ali Fazal, Divyenndu, and Rasika Dugal, arrived in theaters this Friday. While the film has been garnering significant attention and a positive response from the audience, it has simultaneously become embroiled in a heated controversy. The dispute revolves around the unauthorized use of the song Shoorveer, leading to allegations of copyright infringement and cultural disrespect by a Rajasthani artist.

Rapperiya Baalam Claims Copyright Infringement

Rapperiya Baalam, a well-known independent artist from Rajasthan, has publicly accused the film's producers of using his track Shoorveer without obtaining the necessary permissions. The artist took to social media to express his grievances, stating that the song, which was originally created as a tribute to the legendary warrior Maharana Pratap, was utilized in a scene depicting gangsters. Baalam highlighted that not only was his consent bypassed, but he was also denied any credit for his work in the film's credits.

Emotional Outburst on Social Media

In a video shared on Instagram, Rapperiya Baalam expressed his heartbreak over the situation. He stated, "Today my heart is broken, while some of you might ask why I am sad. You might say I should be happy because my song is in Mirzapur. But the Mirzapur team didn't take any permission from me to use my song. Who gave them this permission? I certainly didn't. This song is dedicated to Maharana Pratap Ji. We're using this song to glorify villains in the film. Is this right, while if the Mirzapur team had come to me and said, 'Rapperiya Bhai, we want to use your song,' we would have given them 10 ideas. But taking the song without permission isn't right, while i don't know who gave you these rights or from whom you obtained them. Whoever gave you these rights, I want you to ask them.

Allegations of Insulting Rajasthani Culture

The artist further emphasized that the issue extends beyond legalities to the realm of cultural respect. He remarked that the use of a song dedicated to a national hero in a crime-centric context is an insult to Rajasthan and Maharana Pratap. He mentioned receiving thousands of direct messages from fans who recognized his song in the movie, which added to his frustration. He asserted that while legal or necessary actions would follow, the Mirzapur team should have handled the matter professionally by consulting him directly.

Support from the Rajasthani Music Community

The controversy gained further momentum as other social media entities dedicated to Rajasthani folk music joined the protest. One such page criticized the makers for using a sacred tribute to Veer Shiromani Maharana Pratap Singh Ji Mewar to glorify fictional gangsters. They argued that history should be respected and not mixed with crime dramas for cheap entertainment. They urged the industry to stop misrepresenting Rajasthani culture and mocking the sacrifices of their heroes.

Calls for Accountability from Excel Entertainment

Another content creator supported Rapperiya Baalam, questioning whether history and national heroes should be portrayed in such a manner. They pointed out that the song Shoorveer was reportedly used in the climax of Mirzapur during scenes of gangster violence, shootouts, and conflict, while they reminded the audience that Maharana Pratap symbolizes courage, sacrifice, and self-respect, and his legacy deserves to be presented with dignity. The creator urged Excel Entertainment and the producers to address the artist's concerns directly, stating that this was about respecting history and artists rather than an attack on Bollywood.

Clarification from Trooper Records

Following the widespread allegations, an official clarification emerged from Trooper Records. The label clarified that the song Shoorveer was indeed licensed to Excel Entertainment for use in Mirzapur: The Movie. This statement indicates that the producers had obtained official permission through the record label, effectively addressing the legal claim of unauthorized use. However, the debate regarding the creative choice and the context in which the song was used remains a subject of varying opinions among the audience and the artist community.