Delhi HC asks CBFC to decide on 'Mirzapur' producer's proposal to replace 'Shoorveer' song
The Delhi High Court on Thursday asked the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) to decide within a week on the producer's proposal to make changes to the use of the song "Shoorveer" in Mirzapur: The Movie, observing that using a song revering Maharana Pratap during a fight sequence was prima facie "not in good taste".
A bench of Chief Justice D K Upadhyaya and Justice Tejas Karia made the oral observations while hearing a public interest litigation (PIL) challenging the use of the song, a tribute to Maharana Pratap, as background music during a violent sequence in the film.
"Prima facie, it does not appear to be in good taste. We have come to a situation where we are revering violence," the bench remarked.
The producer's counsel told the court that the song was used only in the background to "embellish" the climax, in which the protagonists fight goons.
"There is no comparison of any of the characters with a historical figure. It has nothing to do with crime per se. It is a fight between two factions," the counsel said.
The CBFC's counsel informed the court that the producer had voluntarily approached the board seeking alterations to the scene and that the authority would take a decision on the proposal.
When the petitioner's counsel raised concerns that the PIL could become infructuous following the film's release on OTT platforms, the court observed that if the producer was already modifying the song and background music, "the whole purpose of your filing the petition is achieved."
The court listed the matter for hearing on September 24 and directed that a decision be taken in the meantime.
The PIL was filed by Prashant Kumar Singh, who alleged that the use of "Shoorveer" created an "undesirable association" between the ideals associated with Maharana Pratap and the violence and criminality depicted in the film.
The petition said Mirzapur: The Movie is set against the backdrop of organised crime, gang rivalry and violent criminal activities. It alleged that the principal characters, including Kaleen Bhaiya, are portrayed as operating an illegal criminal empire involving the unlawful possession and use of weapons, drug and narcotics trade, extortion, threats, murders and other acts of violence.
The plea argued that using a musical composition publicly associated with Maharana Pratap alongside such scenes could create a misleading association between values such as courage, honour and sacrifice represented by the historical figure and the criminality, violence and unlawful power depicted through the gangster characters.
