The Delhi High Court raised strong oral objections regarding the inclusion of the song Shoorveer—originally composed as a tribute to Maharana Pratap—in a violent climax scene of the film Mirzapur: The Movie. The Court asked the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) to expeditiously decide on the producer’s proposal to replace the song with background music.
Case/Matter: Judicial Proceedings in PIL against Mirzapur: The Movie
Bench & Panel: Division Bench — Chief Justice Devendra Kumar Upadhyaya and Justice Tejas Karia
Court: High Court of Delhi
Date of Hearing: September 17, 2026
Next Date of Hearing: September 24, 2026
Petitioner: Prashant Kumar Singh (through Advocates Shashank and Shashwat)
Key Parties & Stakeholders
- Petitioner: Prashant Kumar Singh, who filed a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) challenging the depiction and soundtrack placement in the upcoming film.
- Respondents: Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC), Central Government, and the Producers of Mirzapur: The Movie.
- Subject Matter: Misuse/Inappropriate contextual placement of the patriotic song Shoorveer during cinematic violence involving fictional gangsters.
Main Issue
Is it permissible to use a song created to honor a historical national hero (Maharana Pratap) as background music during a violent action sequence featuring fictional criminals, or does it inappropriately glorify and revere violence?
Core Arguments & Submissions
Petitioner’s Stand
- Dignity of Cultural Legacy: The song Shoorveer was composed as a solemn tribute to historical icon Maharana Pratap. Using it as a backdrop for cinematic violence glorifying fictional gangsters disrespects the cultural heritage and national sentiment of the country.
- Imminent Urgency: The petitioner urged prompt judicial relief, highlighting that as the movie is slated for release on Over-The-Top (OTT) platforms within four weeks, delay would render the petition infructuous.
Movie Producer’s Response
- Contextual Depiction: Counsel for the producer stated that the scene depicts the protagonist fighting off goons and has no direct reference, comparison, or connection to Maharana Pratap.
- Voluntary Modification Proposal: The producer informed the Bench that a representation/report was voluntarily submitted to the CBFC proposing modifications, including replacing the Shoorveer track with alternative background score.
Judicial Remarks & Directives
- Oral Observations on Violence: The Bench critically remarked on the juxtaposition of the tribute song with cinematic violence:“We have come to a situation where we are revering violence? Prima facie, this does not appear to be in good taste.”
- CBFC Mandate: Taking note of the producer’s proposal to remove the song, the High Court recorded the CBFC’s undertaking to render a formal decision on the proposed modification within one week.
- Adjournment: The Court refrained from issuing further substantive findings pending the censor board’s decision and scheduled the matter for review on September 24, 2026.
Key Legal Concepts Simplified
- Public Interest Litigation (PIL): A legal proceeding initiated in a High Court or the Supreme Court for the enforcement of public interest or general welfare where the rights of a broader community or cultural sentiments are affected.
- Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC): A statutory film-certification body operating under the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, tasked with regulating public exhibition of films under the provisions of the Cinematograph Act, 1952.
- Infructuous Petition: A legal proceeding that loses its practical relevance or utility because the underlying event occurs before the court can issue an effective remedy.