Mumbai: Mirzapur: The Movie, which has been receiving attention following its theatrical release, has run into controversy over the alleged unauthorised use of the Rajasthani folk song “Shoorveer”, dedicated to Maharana Pratap. Rajasthan-based singer and composer Rapperiya Baalam has accused the film’s makers of using the song without his permission or credit.
In a social media video, Baalam expressed disappointment over the song being used during a sequence involving the film’s gangster characters. He questioned who had granted the filmmakers the rights to use the composition and said he had not been approached by the production team.
“My heart is broken,” Baalam said, adding that while he would otherwise have been happy to see his song featured in a major film, its use without his consent was unacceptable. He also stressed that “Shoorveer” was created as a tribute to Maharana Pratap.
Baalam further objected to the song being played over scenes depicting fictional gangsters, arguing that the context altered the spirit of a composition dedicated to the legendary Mewar ruler. He said he would have been willing to suggest ways of using the song had the filmmakers contacted him beforehand.
The singer also raised questions about the copyright permissions obtained for the track, saying that if the production team had acquired the rights from another party, that party should be able to establish its legal authority to grant them.
The controversy has since drawn support from sections of the Rajasthani folk-music community. A social media page dedicated to Rajasthani folk traditions criticised the film’s alleged use of “Shoorveer” alongside gangster violence, arguing that the legacy of Maharana Pratap should be treated with greater cultural sensitivity.
Other social media users have similarly urged the filmmakers to address Baalam’s allegations, framing the issue as one concerning both artists’ rights and respect for historical figures.
The allegations have not, however, been independently established as a copyright violation. The Mirzapur: The Movie team has yet to publicly respond to Baalam’s claims or clarify what permissions or licensing arrangements, if any, were obtained for the song’s use.
Directed by Gurmeet Singh, Mirzapur: The Movie stars Pankaj Tripathi, Ali Fazal, Divyenndu and Rasika Duggal. The film is produced by Farhan Akhtar and Ritesh Sidhwani under Excel Entertainment.
