16 September,2026 10:30 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondent
Ali Fazal in Mirzapur The Movie. Pic via X
On Wednesday, September 16, the Delhi High Court reportedly pulled up the makers of Mirzapur: The Movie over the use of the song Shoorveer, written as a tribute to Maharana Pratap, in a scene from the film. The court questioned the advocate representing the makers to watch the film and return the next day. The court also questioned the petitioner on why he did not approach the Central Government.
According to an India Today report, the bench of Chief Justice Devendra Kumar Upadhyaya and Justice Tejas Karia told advocate Jay K Bhardwaj, who was representing the film's makers, Excel Entertainment Pvt Ltd."You please see and come tomorrow. If your conscience is satisfied... you are playing such a scene in the background song displaying Maharana Pratap,"
The conversation took place during the hearing of a Public Interest Litigation (PIL), which sought the removal of the song Shoorveer from the climax of Mirzapur: The Movie. The PIL alternatively sought the replacement with another background score.
The court also considered artistic freedom while hearing the plea. "We are only on protection of the fundamental right of an artist. It may be whether it is an artwork or not, that call has to be taken either by the Central Government. We are not making any comment. We are only saying that we perhaps are not competent to decide such issues," the bench noted.
The petitioner's lawyer further urged for interim relief, arguing that the background music could be muted. The court further asked Bhardwaj what he had to say on the matter. He was questioned if he had watched the film. Bhardwaj replied that he had not, however, he submitted that he had been instructed that the scene against the song was not exactly as it had been portrayed before the court.
The court further directed him to watch the film and return on Thursday.
According to Live Law, the division bench also suggested that the petitioner first approach the Central Government and the CBFC with the grievance. The PIL objected to the alleged use of the song, stating that it was composed as a tribute to 16th-century warrior king Maharana Pratap, and was used as the backdrop to a fight scene in the film.
