Rapper claims film stole his tribute song; demands credit

After its theatrical release on September 4, the film Mirzapur: The Movie has faced a sharp backlash when Rajasthani rapper and artist Rapperiya Baalam claimed that his song “Shoorveer” was used without permission or credit. Baalam, who composed the track as a tribute to the historic figure Maharana Pratap, posted a scathing message on Instagram, stating that the song was incorporated into a gangster‑led sequence that, in his view, glorifies the film’s villains.

In his post, Baalam 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.” He added that he would have been willing to collaborate if approached directly, offering “10 ideas” for the film’s creators, but condemned the unauthorized use of his work.

Baalam also raised concerns about the legal and ethical aspects of the film’s licensing process. He questioned who granted the rights to use “Shoorveer,” asking, “I don't know who gave you these rights or from whom you obtained them. Whoever gave you the rights, I would like you to ask them: Do you have any copyright?” He described the inclusion of the track as an insult to Rajasthan and to Maharana Pratap himself, insisting that the film’s team had no right to use the tribute song in a context that he felt disrespected the subject.

Despite the controversy, Baalam noted that the song’s appearance in the movie had attracted a wave of attention from fans. He received numerous direct messages from viewers who recognized the track while watching the film, expressing both admiration for his work and disappointment that the filmmakers had not consulted him. He concluded that he would pursue “whatever action needs to be taken” to address the situation.

As of now, the makers of Mirzapur: The Movie have not issued a public statement in response to the allegations. The film, directed by Gu, remains in theaters while the dispute over the unauthorized use of “Shoorveer” continues to unfold.