Blab Music
Rapperiya Baalam Alleges Unauthorized Use of Shoorveer in Mirzapur: The Movie
Mirzapur: The Movie, the Hindi action thriller that opened in theatres on 4 September 2026, enjoyed a lukewarm box‑office performance before a storm of controversy broke out. Rajasthani rapper and composer Rapperiya Baalam—whose real name is Ashok Manda Bishnoi—alleged that his track “Shoorveer” appeared in the film without his consent or attribution.
On the same day, Baalam posted a heartfelt Instagram message. He explained that “Shoorveer” was written as a tribute to the 16th‑century warrior Maharana Pratap, yet it was featured in a gangster‑driven montage. He wrote, “Today, my heart is broken. Some of you may ask why my heart is broken. You might say I should be happy because my song is in Mirzapur. But the Mirzapur team did not take my permission to use my song. Who gave them the permission? I certainly did not.”
Baalam said the placement of the track in a scene that celebrates the film’s anti‑heroes struck him as a disrespectful use of a song that honors Rajasthan’s heritage. He added that he would welcome a partnership if the filmmakers had reached out first, but that employing the song without his approval was unacceptable.
Baalam emphasized that “Shoorveer” was crafted to celebrate Maharana Pratap ji, and he challenged the choice to pair it with a gangster montage. “This song is dedicated to Maharana Pratap ji. We are using this song to glorify the villains in the movie. Is this right?” he wrote. He also questioned the chain of copyright and licensing, demanding to know who granted the rights and whether the proper holders were involved.
The allegation touches on cultural and legal dimensions. Culturally, the track was meant to honor a regional icon, while the film depicts its protagonists as anti‑heroes. Legally, a copyrighted piece used without the author’s consent can amount to infringement unless a legitimate license has been secured.
Mirzapur: The Movie is the cinematic extension of the Amazon Prime Video series that debuted in 2018. Gurmeet Singh helms his first feature‑film, while Puneet Krishna wrote the script. Excel Entertainment’s Ritesh Sidhwani and Farhan Akhtar produced the project, which features Pankaj Tripathi, Ali Fazal, Divyendu Sharma, Jitendra Kumar, and Ravi Kishan. Released on 4 September 2026, the film has climbed to the 10th spot among Hindi releases in annual box‑office rankings.
So far, the film’s creators have not issued a public response to Baalam’s claims, and neither Gurmeet Singh, Puneet Krishna, nor Excel Entertainment have commented.
Baalam’s grievance fits a broader trend in India’s music scene, where artists often contest unlicensed use of their work in visual media. The case underscores the need for transparent licensing, particularly when a song’s context diverges from its original purpose.
Baalam has signalled that he will take “necessary action” should the matter remain unresolved, though he has not yet disclosed whether he will file a lawsuit or seek a settlement.
Industry watchers suggest that the dispute may prompt filmmakers to reexamine their music‑licensing workflows. Although Indian cinema generally secures background scores and songs through publishers, the incorporation of a regional folk‑hip‑hop piece into a mainstream action feature is atypical and could heighten legal exposure.
The argument also touches on wider debates over cultural appropriation and the respectful portrayal of regional heritage in national cinema. Baalam’s claim that the song’s use “insults Rajasthan” highlights the delicacy of representing local identities.
At present, the legal status of the dispute is unresolved. No court filings have surfaced, and the filmmakers have yet to confirm whether a license was secured from the rightful holders. The case remains in flux, with possible ramifications for future partnerships between regional artists and mainstream film projects.
Meanwhile, Mirzapur: The Movie remains in theatres and on streaming services, and Rapperiya Baalam’s “Shoorveer” has drawn new listeners who found it via the film’s soundtrack. The episode serves as a cautionary tale for the importance of clear licensing and respectful treatment of culturally meaningful music in film.
On the same day, Baalam posted a heartfelt Instagram message. He explained that “Shoorveer” was written as a tribute to the 16th‑century warrior Maharana Pratap, yet it was featured in a gangster‑driven montage. He wrote, “Today, my heart is broken. Some of you may ask why my heart is broken. You might say I should be happy because my song is in Mirzapur. But the Mirzapur team did not take my permission to use my song. Who gave them the permission? I certainly did not.”
Baalam said the placement of the track in a scene that celebrates the film’s anti‑heroes struck him as a disrespectful use of a song that honors Rajasthan’s heritage. He added that he would welcome a partnership if the filmmakers had reached out first, but that employing the song without his approval was unacceptable.
Baalam emphasized that “Shoorveer” was crafted to celebrate Maharana Pratap ji, and he challenged the choice to pair it with a gangster montage. “This song is dedicated to Maharana Pratap ji. We are using this song to glorify the villains in the movie. Is this right?” he wrote. He also questioned the chain of copyright and licensing, demanding to know who granted the rights and whether the proper holders were involved.
The allegation touches on cultural and legal dimensions. Culturally, the track was meant to honor a regional icon, while the film depicts its protagonists as anti‑heroes. Legally, a copyrighted piece used without the author’s consent can amount to infringement unless a legitimate license has been secured.
Mirzapur: The Movie is the cinematic extension of the Amazon Prime Video series that debuted in 2018. Gurmeet Singh helms his first feature‑film, while Puneet Krishna wrote the script. Excel Entertainment’s Ritesh Sidhwani and Farhan Akhtar produced the project, which features Pankaj Tripathi, Ali Fazal, Divyendu Sharma, Jitendra Kumar, and Ravi Kishan. Released on 4 September 2026, the film has climbed to the 10th spot among Hindi releases in annual box‑office rankings.
So far, the film’s creators have not issued a public response to Baalam’s claims, and neither Gurmeet Singh, Puneet Krishna, nor Excel Entertainment have commented.
Baalam’s grievance fits a broader trend in India’s music scene, where artists often contest unlicensed use of their work in visual media. The case underscores the need for transparent licensing, particularly when a song’s context diverges from its original purpose.
Baalam has signalled that he will take “necessary action” should the matter remain unresolved, though he has not yet disclosed whether he will file a lawsuit or seek a settlement.
Industry watchers suggest that the dispute may prompt filmmakers to reexamine their music‑licensing workflows. Although Indian cinema generally secures background scores and songs through publishers, the incorporation of a regional folk‑hip‑hop piece into a mainstream action feature is atypical and could heighten legal exposure.
The argument also touches on wider debates over cultural appropriation and the respectful portrayal of regional heritage in national cinema. Baalam’s claim that the song’s use “insults Rajasthan” highlights the delicacy of representing local identities.
At present, the legal status of the dispute is unresolved. No court filings have surfaced, and the filmmakers have yet to confirm whether a license was secured from the rightful holders. The case remains in flux, with possible ramifications for future partnerships between regional artists and mainstream film projects.
Meanwhile, Mirzapur: The Movie remains in theatres and on streaming services, and Rapperiya Baalam’s “Shoorveer” has drawn new listeners who found it via the film’s soundtrack. The episode serves as a cautionary tale for the importance of clear licensing and respectful treatment of culturally meaningful music in film.
