Delhi HC asks Mirzapur makers to donate Rs 50,000 over Shoorveer song

The Delhi High Court closed the Mirzapur song case after the makers removed Shoorveer. The donation direction underscores concerns over linking revered historical ideals with screen violence.

In Short

• Public interest plea alleged the sequence created an undesirable historical association
• Track had accompanied a climax fight involving protagonists and armed goons
• Producers voluntarily approached the certification board to modify the disputed scene

The Delhi High Court has asked the makers of "Mirzapur: The Movie" to donate Rs 50,000 to the Army Welfare Fund over the alleged misuse of a song paying tribute to Maharana Pratap, news agency Press Trust of India reported.

The song, "Shoorveer", was used as the background score for a fight sequence. The court closed proceedings on a public interest litigation challenging its use after the song was replaced, but said it would reconsider the issue of costs if the donation was not made within the stipulated period.

According to PTI, a bench of Acting Chief Justice Nitin Wasudeo Sambre and Justice Sanjay Sharma noted in its October 13 order that the song had been removed and had not been played in the movie since September 17.

"Counsel for the respondent no. 3 (Excel Entertainment Pvt Ltd) states that in view of the conduct of the respondents, an amount of Rs 50,000 shall be voluntarily donated to the Army Welfare Fund within a period of one week from today and the acknowledgement to that effect shall be produced on record," the order stated.

The court added, "In case there is a failure to produce the acknowledgement as claimed above, within a period of two weeks from today, the matter shall be listed for re-consideration before the Court only on the limited aspect of cost to be paid by the respondent no. 3."

On September 17, the high court had said that using "Shoorveer" as the background score for a fight sequence in the movie was "not in good taste", PTI reported.

After the Central Board of Film Certification's counsel told the court that the film's producer had voluntarily approached the board to make changes to the scene, the court asked the board to decide on the proposal within a week. The producer's counsel said the song had been used only to "embellish" the climax, in which the protagonists fight goons.

The petition, filed by Prashant Kumar Singh, alleged that using "Shoorveer", a tribute to Maharana Pratap, in the sequence created an "undesirable association" between the warrior's revered ideals and the violent and unlawful conduct shown in the film.

The plea said the movie was set against the backdrop of organised crime, gang rivalry and violent criminal activities. It said principal characters, including Kaleen Bhaiya, were portrayed as running a criminal empire involving illegal possession and use of weapons, drug trafficking, extortion, threats, murders and other acts of violence.

The petition alleged that using a composition associated with Maharana Pratap alongside such scenes could create a misleading link between the courage, honour and sacrifice represented by the warrior and the criminality and violence depicted in the movie.

With the song removed, the court closed the proceedings and directed Excel Entertainment to donate Rs 50,000 to the Army Welfare Fund and submit proof of the payment within the specified period, failing which it would reconsider the matter only on the question of costs.

- Ends