Tridev song row: Delhi High Court appoints mediator in Dhurandhar 2 copyright case

The Delhi High Court has referred the copyright dispute over the song Rang De Lal from Dhurandhar 2 to mediation, aiming to resolve financial and licencing issues between Trimurti Films and B62 Studios.

In Short

• Delhi High Court refers Rang De Lal song dispute to mediation
• Dispute involves Trimurti Films and B62 Studios over copyright
• Trimurti claims unauthorised use of 1989 Tridev song

The Delhi High Court has referred the copyright dispute over the song Rang De Lal (Oye Oye) from Aditya Dhar's Dhurandhar 2 to mediation. The case involves Trimurti Films and Dhar’s production house, B62 Studios.

Trimurti Films has alleged that the song in Dhurandhar 2 features the unauthorised use of music from Tirchi Topiwala, a track from the 1989 film Tridev starring Sunny Deol. The music rights for the original song are claimed by Trimurti Films.

Justice Tushar Rao Gedela noted that the dispute appears to be primarily financial and suggested that the parties could resolve issues related to royalty and compensation through mediation. The court also ordered the appointment of a senior mediator to oversee the process, as per Bar and Bench.

Trimurti Films contends that the use of the song, or a version substantially similar to it, in Dhurandhar 2 was done without the necessary licence. The complaint covers the song’s theatrical release, its availability on digital platforms, and promotional activities linked to the film.

Senior Advocate Swathi Sukumar, representing Trimurti Films, argued that the music’s use, including its standalone presence on digital platforms, was unauthorised. On the other hand, Senior Advocate Akhil Sibal, representing Super Cassettes which holds audio rights for Dhurandhar 2’s songs, opposed any interim relief for Trimurti Films.

Sibal claimed that Trimurti Films approached the court with unclean hands, suggesting that they had not disclosed earlier instances where similar songs from Tridev were used in other films. Senior Advocate Ravi Prakash, representing B62 Films, informed the court that Dhurandhar 2 has already been released in theatres but is unlikely to be available on OTT platforms before mid-May.

The mediation process is expected to address the financial and licencing disputes surrounding the song.

- Ends