The Delhi High Court has expressed concerns over the use of the ‘Shoorveer’ song in the climax of the film Mirzapur, suggesting that the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) should consider the filmmakers’ proposal to substitute it with instrumental music. This directive was issued by a Division Bench comprising Chief Justice Devendra Kumar Upadhyaya and Justice Tejas Karia, who remarked that the song’s use in a violent scene seemed inappropriate.
The court’s remarks came during the hearing of a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) filed by Prashant Kumar Singh, represented by advocates Shashank and Shashwat. The PIL argues that the song, originally a tribute to the historical figure Maharana Pratap, has been misappropriated to glorify the violent acts of fictional characters in the movie, thereby dishonoring the cultural heritage of India.
During the hearing, the film producer’s counsel clarified that the scene in question simply depicts the protagonist in a fight with criminals, with no direct reference or comparison to Maharana Pratap. Despite this clarification, the court chose to withhold further comments, suggesting that the petitioner could seek redress from the Central Government.
The petitioner, however, raised concerns that the matter might become irrelevant since the film is set to premiere on an over-the-top (OTT) platform in four weeks. In response, the court was informed that the movie producer has proactively submitted a report to the CBFC, proposing modifications which include replacing the contentious song with background music.
Following these submissions, the court recorded the CBFC’s assurance to reach a decision within a week, and the matter has been scheduled for a subsequent hearing on September 24. The film’s producers, Excel Entertainment Pvt. Ltd., were represented by advocates Jay Kumar Bhardwaj, Tanya Singh, and Pranjal Patel from N.K. Bhardwaj & Associates.
