NEW DELHI: Delhi high court stayed Tuesday an interim copyright-case order against composer AR Rahman and makers of Ponniyin Selvan 2 over a song in the 2023 Tamil film.A bench of Justices C Hari Shankar and Ajay Digpaul, however, directed Rahman and the makers of the film to deposit Rs 2 crore with the HC registry within 10 days, as directed by the single judge. Rahman had appealed against the single judge’s order and sought a stay.The single judge had in its interim order last month also ordered insertion of a slide in the film on all OTT and online platforms to give due credit to Junior Dagar Brothers-Late Ustad N Faiyazuddin Dagar and Late Ustad Zahiruddin Dagar-for the composition. The division bench stayed this direction too, until it examined Rahman’s appeal on May 23.Awarding Rs 2 crore in costs to the family of the late Dagar brothers, the single judge had held that from a listener’s point of view, the core of Rahman’s song Veera Raja Veera in the film was “not just inspired but is, in fact, identical” in notes, emotion, and aural impact to Shiva Stuti of the Dagars.It was in violation of the rights of the original composers of the musical tribute to Lord Shiva, the single judge held. tnn
