"You're using it to glorify villains?"
Mirzapur: The Movie is facing a fresh controversy after Rajasthani artist Rapperiya Baalam alleged that his song was used in the film without his permission.
The musician claimed that his track ‘Shoorveer’, dedicated to the legendary warrior Maharana Pratap, was featured in a scene involving gangsters.
Rapperiya took to Instagram to share a video addressing the alleged unauthorised use of the song and expressing his deep hurt.
He said he never imagined he would have to make such a post about a film that had featured his music.
The singer said: “Aaj to dil dukhaya hai (You have hurt me).”
He acknowledged that many would question why he was upset given the film’s popularity.
Rapperiya said: “The team never took my permission to use the song.
“This song was dedicated to Maharana Pratap Singh, and you’re using it to glorify villains? Is this okay?”
He further stated that had the Mirzapur team approached him after discovering and liking the song, he would have willingly cooperated.
Rapperiya said: “But to use it without permission…I don’t know who you took the rights from.
“I am hurt because I feel like you’ve insulted Rajasthan and Maharana Pratap ji.
“It’s not something I can digest.”
He also pointed out that Maharana Pratap had made enormous sacrifices for the country and deserved to have his legacy treated with reverence.
The internet reacted swiftly to Rapperiya’s claims, with many voicing strong support for the artist and sharp criticism of the Mirzapur makers.
An Instagram page called Folk Music of Rajasthan spoke up in Rapperiya’s support with a pointed and detailed statement on the matter.
The page wrote: “History is meant to be respected, not mixed with crime dramas for cheap entertainment value.
“As a Rajasthani, I want to say, please Do not mock the sacrifices of our heroes.
“Stop misrepresenting Rajasthani culture.”
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The page also wrote: “The song ‘Shoorveer’ was written to celebrate the legacy and dignity of warriors.
“Turning around and inserting it into a gangster drama without the artist’s knowledge is bad enough.
“But denying Rapperiya Baalam his rightful credits while everyone else gets theirs?
“That’s where the industry fails its independent creators.”
“Mainstream platforms need to stop diluting regional history and bypassing legal courtesy.”
Several commenters also expressed their solidarity with Rapperiya and called on him to take formal legal action against the production.
One comment read: “This is how the mainstream has repeatedly diluted and distorted Rajasthan’s history.”
Another wrote: “This is completely wrong. You cannot use someone’s song without their permission.
“Please file a copyright claim. We are with you and fully support you.”
The controversy comes at a commercially strong moment for Mirzapur: The Movie, which crossed Rs 50 crore in India and Rs 70 crore worldwide in two days.
