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Copyright Suit Hits Aditya Dhar's Dhurandhar 2 Makers
In the high-stakes world of Bollywood blockbusters, commercial triumph often collides with legal contention. Dhurandhar 2: The Revenge, the sequel to 2025's spy thriller that has shattered box office records by grossing over ₹1,600 crore globally, is now entangled in a lawsuit. Production house Trimurti Films has filed suit against writer-director Aditya Dhar's B62 Studios, alleging the unauthorized use of the iconic track "Rang De Lal" from the 1989 film Tridev . The plaint claims infringement of rights in both the musical work and sound recording, seeking urgent amid the film's ongoing theatrical run and impending streaming release. This development compounds existing controversies, including a parallel suit over another Tridev song and a resolved script plagiarism dispute, spotlighting persistent challenges in music licensing within India's entertainment industry.
Film Background and Massive Success
Dhurandhar 2, directed by Aditya Dhar and co-produced by Jio Studios and B62 Studios, stars Ranveer Singh as Jaskirat Singh Rangi, an Indian spy who morphs into undercover agent Hamza Ali Mazari in Pakistan's volatile Lyari underworld. The narrative traces his ascent through criminal and political networks to dismantle a terror apparatus threatening India. Featuring a stellar ensemble including Arjun Rampal, R. Madhavan, Sanjay Dutt, Rakesh Bedi, Sara Arjun, and a cameo by Yami Gautam, the film—scored by Shashwat Sachdev—released on , and quickly ascended to become Bollywood's highest-grossing production ever, surpassing ₹1,000 crore domestically.
Its predecessor, Dhurandhar (2025), set the stage with Ranveer Singh infiltrating Lyari gangs. The sequel's retro musical elements, drawing from 1980s hits, have fueled its appeal but now invite scrutiny. Despite the buzz—including Deepika Padone's public endorsement—the film's momentum faces potential derailment from IP disputes, a common pitfall in an industry reliant on nostalgic remixes.
The 'Rang De Lal' Copyright Clash
At the dispute's core is "Rang De Lal" (also referenced as "Oye Oye" or "Tirchi Topiwale"), a vibrant track co-composed by Anand-Milind, with lyrics by Sameer Anjaan, and vocals by Amit Kumar and Sapna Mukherjee. Featured in
Tridev
, the song embodies 1980s Bollywood flair. Trimurti Films, asserting ownership and/or control over the musical work and sound recording rights, alleges that B62 Studios incorporated the song—or a "
" version—into
Dhurandhar 2
"without obtaining the requisite licences or permissions."
As per reports from Bar and Bench,
"Trimurti Films has claimed that the song, or its “
” version, has been used in one of Aditya Dhar's Dhurandhar movies “without obtaining the requisite licences or permissions”."
This invocation of "
" invokes a cornerstone of copyright jurisprudence, requiring courts to assess if the allegedly infringing work copies protected expression rather than mere ideas.
A complicating factor: A lyrical video of a related track released by T-Series on YouTube credits original artists, potentially muddying the rights chain. Trimurti contends this unauthorized integration spans reproduction and public communication, exacerbated by the film's scale.
Claims of Infringement and Remedies Sought
The lawsuit delineates classic infringement heads under Indian copyright law.
"The suit states that such use amounts to
, including unauthorised reproduction and communication of the work to the public,"
sources cited by Bar and Bench reveal. Trimurti seeks: -
to halt further use in theatrical prints, promotional materials, and streaming. -
Damages
for economic loss, plus
. -
Consequential remedies
addressing reputational harm.
Concerns extend to
"potential commercial exploitation of the track through theatrical release, streaming platforms and promotional material,"
amplifying urgency given the film's profitability. If granted, an
could force edits, delaying digital distribution—a nightmare for producers in the OTT era.
Additional Lawsuit Over 'Hum Pyar Karne Wale'
Trimurti has doubled down, filing a separate suit against B62 Studios for the alleged unauthorized use of "Hum Pyar Karne Wale," another Tridev gem sung by Anuradha Paudwal and Udit Narayan. This pattern suggests systemic lapses in rights clearance for the film's soundtrack, which leans heavily on remixed classics. Such multi-song suits are rare but signal robust claims, potentially consolidating for efficiency.
Script Theft Allegations and Bombay HC Intervention
Layering the narrative, filmmaker Santosh Kumar accused Aditya Dhar of plagiarizing his registered script "D Saheb" for
Dhurandhar
. Post-release, Kumar's claims prompted Dhar to sue for defamation. On
, the
granted
to Dhar, with the bench noting he established a
case.
"Until the next date, the defendant (Kumar) shall be restrained from repeating words and remarks set out in the suit (filed by Dhar) and all other allegations of a similar nature,"
the order stated. The matter is listed for
.
Dhar's prior legal notice denying plagiarism underscores his proactive stance, contrasting Trimurti's offensive posture.
Legal Framework: Navigating Music Copyright in India
Under the , Section 14 grants owners exclusive rights to reproduce, issue copies, perform, and communicate works publicly. Musical works and sound recordings enjoy layered protection: composers/lyricists hold underlying rights, while producers own recordings (post-2012 amendments clarifying performer rights). Infringement (Section 51) triggers civil remedies (Sections 55-58), including injunctions upon proving title, infringement, and .
Bollywood precedents like R.G. Anand v. Delux Films (1978) emphasize " " plus access, not mere inspiration. Remixes require synchronization licenses, public performance rights (from PPL/IPRS), and publisher consents. Defenses for B62 might include implied license via T-Series dealings, fair use (unlikely for commercial films), or independent creation—though " " allegations weaken this.
Courts often favor plaintiffs in music suits (e.g., recent ), prioritizing quick injunctions to stem " ." Trimurti's commercial exploitation angle strengthens its case, mirroring Justice Arif Doctor's approach in the script matter.
Implications for Bollywood and IP Practice
These suits epitomize Bollywood's copyright quagmire: aging songs' fragmented rights (expired terms, untraced assignees) fuel disputes amid remakes' resurgence. Hits like Animal faced similar flak, prompting industry calls for centralized rights databases. For legal professionals: - Litigators : Boom in interim applications; leverage multi-platform harm arguments. - Counselors : Mandate exhaustive chain-of-title audits pre-production; negotiate blanket licenses. - Box Office Impact : Unlikely short-term, but streaming halts could dent ancillary revenues (50%+ of totals).
Financial penalties might run crores, plus legal fees, deterring cavalier clearances. Positively, it educates on IP diligence, vital as India eyes global OTT parity.
Looking Ahead
As Dhurandhar 2 dominates 2026's top charts, Trimurti's suits test judicial balancing of creative freedom versus rights enforcement. B62's response—potentially contesting ownership or similarity—awaits. With the script injunction offering Dhar solace, resolution hinges on evidence of permissions. For legal eagles, this saga reinforces: in remix-happy Bollywood, unlicenced nostalgia courts costly encore.
