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The feature film ‘Mirzapur: The Movie’ from the popular crime-drama franchise has found itself at the center of a major legal and cultural controversy upon its release. A public interest litigation (PIL) has been filed in the Delhi High Court over the much-talked about song ‘Shoorveer’ used as the background track in the climax scene of the film. The petition has requested the court to immediately direct the filmmakers to remove or change this song from the movie. The main reason for the controversy is that the song which was originally dedicated to the bravery, self-respect and sacrifice of the brave Shiromani Maharana Pratap of Rajasthan, has been presented on screen by associating it with imaginary criminals, gangsters and violent scenes.
This PIL has been filed in the Delhi High Court on behalf of Prashant Kumar Singh. The petitioner argues that ‘Shoorveer’ is not a typical Bollywood commercial track, but is a soulful song paying tribute to the bravery of a national hero and historical personality. The petition said that when a composition full of patriotism and devotion is played on screen behind the scenes of dreaded gangsters, underworld characters and violence, it causes a deep blow to the rich cultural heritage of the country. The petitioner has argued that this cinematic portrayal creates a misleading image in the public memory, which associates the sacred legacy of a national hero like Maharana Pratap with imaginary mafia and criminals.
The prayer placed before the court mainly demands that this song be immediately removed from the climax of ‘Mirzapur: The Movie’. Along with this, the petition has also requested to direct the Union Ministry of Information and Broadcasting and the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) to prepare clear guidelines regarding the commercial and cinematic use of songs related to historical, cultural and national symbols or great men. According to the petition, although expression and artistic freedom should be respected, under the guise of this, freedom cannot be given to hurt the honor and public sentiments of a national great man.
There has been a sharp reaction on this matter even in political circles. Former leader of opposition in Rajasthan Assembly and senior leader of Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) Rajendra Rathod has also expressed strong objection to this entire episode. Rathore has written a letter to the Chairman of the Central Board of Film Certification (Censor Board) demanding that this controversial part be removed from the film immediately. He said in his statement that it is extremely objectionable to use the song ‘Shoorveer’ sung by Rajasthani singer Rappariya Balam on the characters promoting crime, drug addiction and gang culture in the film. He clarified that there is a world of difference in the life values of a ‘knight’ and a ‘gangster’; Linking sacrifice and devotion to the motherland with crime is an insult to the sentiments of the entire society.
Apart from the PIL filed in the High Court, a parallel legal battle regarding copyright infringement has also started regarding this song. The original creator of this song and the team of Rajasthan’s famous independent artist Rappariya Balam (Ashok Manda) have sent a legal notice to the film’s producers Excel Entertainment (Farhan Akhtar and Ritesh Sidhwani). The singer’s team claims that the original copyrights of this song are reserved with them and the filmmakers used it in the violent scenes of the film without taking permission from them. The singer’s team says that the song was created to connect the new generation with the history and saga of heroes, and not to glorify criminal characters like Munna Bhaiya in a crime thriller film.
According to judicial experts, when a film gets a certificate for public exhibition by the Censor Board (CBFC), courts generally avoid imposing a direct ban on its screening. However, when the case involves defamation of a historical great man and hurting the religious or cultural sentiments of the public, the court has to closely review the balance of artistic freedom versus public sentiments. In the coming days, Delhi High Court will hear this petition and decide whether this song will be removed from the climax of the film or the makers will have to make some alternative arrangement.