Mirzapur Song Controversy: What Happened to Shoorveer?

The Mirzapur song controversy has taken a new turn after Rajasthani musician Rapperiya Baalam alleged that his track Shoorveer was used in Mirzapur: The Movie without his permission or credit. Baalam objected particularly to the song being heard during a sequence involving the film’s gangsters, saying the track was created as a tribute to Maharana Pratap. However, the dispute is no longer simply about an alleged unauthorised use: music label Trouper Records has since said that Shoorveer was officially licensed to Excel Entertainment for use in the film.

Mirzapur: The Movie reached cinemas on September 4, 2026, and quickly became one of the major Bollywood releases of the weekend. The film, directed by Gurmeet Singh and produced by Farhan Akhtar and Ritesh Sidhwani under Excel Entertainment, continues the story world associated with the popular Mirzapur franchise. Its cast includes Pankaj Tripathi, Ali Fazal, Divyendu, Ravi Kishan and other returning performers.

Baalam raised the issue through an Instagram video after viewers began contacting him about hearing Shoorveer in the movie. He said he was disappointed that the team had not approached him directly and questioned who had provided the necessary rights. His criticism also focused on the creative context, because he considers the song a tribute to Maharana Pratap rather than music suited to glorifying fictional criminals.

What is the Mirzapur song controversy really about?

At the centre of the controversy is a disagreement over how Shoorveer entered the film and whether the artist himself had approved its use. Rapperiya Baalam, whose real name is reported as Ashok Bishnoi, said the Mirzapur team did not obtain his permission and that he would have been willing to work with the filmmakers had they contacted him. He also questioned whether the people who supplied the rights actually held the necessary copyright authority.

The situation became more complicated on September 7 when Trouper Records issued a clarification stating that Shoorveer had been officially licensed to Excel Entertainment for in-film use. The label also listed Baalam as the singer and composer of the track. That statement provides a significant counterpoint to the original allegation, but it does not by itself establish whether Baalam personally approved the specific use or whether there was a separate disagreement over the chain of rights.

Why did Rapperiya Baalam object to the song’s use?

Baalam’s objection is not limited to the question of licensing. He has repeatedly stressed that Shoorveer was created as a tribute to Maharana Pratap, the 16th-century Mewar ruler and warrior, and argued that using the track alongside fictional gangsters changes the meaning associated with his work. He described the placement as disrespectful to Rajasthan and to Maharana Pratap’s legacy. His comments have consequently turned a music-rights dispute into a wider discussion about cultural representation in mainstream cinema.

The artist also acknowledged that the film’s use of the track generated a large response, with viewers sending him messages after recognising it. His position, however, was that renewed exposure does not replace the need for proper communication and rights arrangements. Reports also indicate that he said he would consider whatever action he believed necessary, while the available reporting has not established that he has filed a specific court case or that any legal finding has been made against the filmmakers.

Does Trouper Records’ statement settle the Shoorveer dispute?

Not completely. Trouper Records’ statement is important because it directly challenges the impression that the song entered the film without any licensing arrangement, but a licence issued by a rights holder and an artist’s personal approval are not necessarily the same question. The available reports do not provide the full licensing agreement or clarify every contractual relationship surrounding the recording. For that reason, it is more accurate to describe the situation as a dispute over permission, rights and the song’s use rather than a confirmed case of copyright infringement.

The controversy also highlights a recurring issue in the film and music industries: a producer may obtain rights through a label or rights administrator while the performer or composer may still object to how a work is presented. In this case, Baalam has publicly questioned the process, while Trouper Records has publicly defended the licensing arrangement. Unless the artist, label or filmmakers provide additional documentation or a formal legal resolution, the precise rights chain remains the key unanswered question.

What happens next in the Mirzapur song row?

For now, the strongest confirmed development is the clash between Baalam’s public account and Trouper Records’ licensing clarification. Baalam says he was not personally approached or asked for permission, while the label says the song was officially licensed to Excel Entertainment. The filmmakers’ detailed response to the artist’s allegations has not been publicly established in the available reporting, so further clarification could determine whether the dispute ends as a communication issue or develops into a formal rights disagreement.

The controversy has also given Shoorveer significant renewed attention, with audiences searching for the song and its connection to Maharana Pratap. What remains important for readers is to separate the confirmed facts from the allegations: the artist made the accusation, the music label confirmed a licence, and no court has been reported to have ruled that the film used the track unlawfully. As more information emerges, the licensing documents and any direct response from the filmmakers or artist will be central to understanding what actually happened.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why is Mirzapur: The Movie facing controversy over Shoorveer?

Rapperiya Baalam alleged that his song Shoorveer was used in the film without his permission or credit. He also objected to its use alongside gangster characters because the song was created as a tribute to Maharana Pratap.

Was Shoorveer officially licensed for Mirzapur: The Movie?

Trouper Records said on September 7, 2026, that Shoorveer was officially licensed to Excel Entertainment for use in the film. The full licensing arrangement has not been publicly detailed in the available reports.

Has Rapperiya Baalam taken legal action against Mirzapur?

Baalam indicated that he would pursue whatever action he considered necessary, but available reports do not establish that a specific court case has been filed or that a court has ruled against the film. Details remain subject to further confirmation.