Supreme Court orders acknowledgment of Junior Dagar brothers’ contribution
February 20, 2026: Music composer A. R. Rahman on Friday agreed before the Supreme Court of India to formally acknowledge the contribution of the Junior Dagar brothers in the song Veera Raja Veera from the Tamil film Ponniyin Selvan II. The court directed that modified credits be updated across all social media platforms and OTT services within five weeks to ensure due recognition. The development comes amid a copyright infringement suit filed by Ustad Faiyaz Wasifuddin Dagar, successor to the Dagar lineage.
As per submissions before the court, Rahman and the film’s makers consented to include a note stating: “Composition inspired from the Dagarwani tradition Dhrupad, first recorded as Shiv Stuti by late Ustad Nasir Faiyazuddin Dagar and Ustad Nasir Zahiruddin Dagar, popularly known as Junior Dagar brothers.” Senior Advocate Abhishek Manu Singhvi, appearing for Rahman, clarified that the acknowledgment is being made without prejudice to arguments in the main copyright suit.
The bench also addressed concerns over media reports suggesting a setback for Rahman in earlier proceedings, observing that it cannot regulate how court developments are reported. With these directions, the top court disposed of the petition challenging a Delhi High Court division bench order that had set aside a prior injunction against Rahman and other defendants. The main copyright suit will continue independently.