Blockbuster Dhurandhar 2 Faces Major Legal Challenge Over Iconic Song
While the espionage thriller Dhurandhar: The Revenge continues its record-breaking box office run, the film has encountered significant legal turbulence. Veteran filmmaker Rajiv Rai, creator of the 1989 classic Tridev, has initiated a copyright infringement lawsuit against director Aditya Dhar's production company. The legal action centers on the unauthorized reimagining of the iconic song Oye Oye into Rang De Lal for the blockbuster sequel.
The Core of the Copyright Dispute
The lawsuit fundamentally questions the rights to the legendary Oye Oye track, originally composed by Kalyanji-Anandji and Viju Shah, with lyrics by Anand Bakshi and vocals by Amit Kumar and Sapna Mukherjee. Rajiv Rai asserts that composer Shashwat Sachdev's reinterpretation for Dhurandhar 2 constitutes clear copyright infringement. He argues that the original music contracts from the late 1980s contained no provisions permitting remixes or reuse in other films.
In an exclusive interview with Mid-Day, Rai expressed his profound dismay, stating, "After I saw the movie and my song in it, I was in shock. I filed the case now because it takes time to move the court." He acknowledged that Tridev's music was sold to the late Gulshan Kumar and T-Series decades ago but emphasized that the old contract did not allow such creative liberties.
Rajiv Rai's Strong Stance on Creative Rights
Rai did not mince words regarding the adaptation of his work. He elaborated, "In it, there was no mention of remixes or that one could take a song and put it in another film. That phenomenon didn't exist then. I'm sure when you sign that piece of paper, you don't sign away your copyright, IP, or creative rights. I have not created the song for some guy to mutilate it."
He further revealed his frustration with the production team's approach, adding, "They have mutilated 'Oye Oye', and the young producer feigns innocence. They have crossed the line. Where is their conscience? My lawyer said the lawsuit becomes too ambiguous because of the contract. But where have I given the permission to mutilate my song?" Rai confirmed he has granted no authorization for the song's use in Dhurandhar: The Revenge.
Legal Proceedings and Court Developments
The Delhi High Court conducted its first hearing on April 9, referring all involved parties to mediation scheduled for April 22. The court has deferred the next formal hearing to May 6. Notably, no interim injunction was issued against the song's inclusion in the film. Reports indicate the court instructed the defendants to maintain detailed financial records, observing that the dispute appears primarily financial in nature.
Dhurandhar: The Revenge's Spectacular Box Office Performance
Despite the legal controversy, Dhurandhar: The Revenge, directed by Aditya Dhar, continues to achieve remarkable commercial success. Featuring an ensemble cast including Ranveer Singh, Sara Arjun, Rakesh Bedi, Arjun Rampal, R Madhavan, and Sanjay Dutt, the film premiered in theaters on March 19, 2026. The espionage thriller is on track to surpass the Rs 1700 crore milestone at the global box office imminently, solidifying its status as a cinematic phenomenon.
This legal battle highlights the evolving complexities of intellectual property rights in the era of remixes and reinterpretations, pitting nostalgic creative ownership against modern cinematic adaptations.
