Ranveer Singh’s Dhurandhar 2 in Legal Row Over ‘Tirchi Topiwale’; Trimurti Films Seeks Injunction
The blockbuster success of Dhurandhar 2 has hit a legal hurdle, with Trimurti Films filing a lawsuit against filmmaker Aditya Dhar and his banner B62 Studios over the alleged unauthorised use of the iconic song Tirchi Topiwale.
As per a report by Bar and Bench, the dispute centres on the recreation of the classic track in Dhurandhar 2’s song Rang De Lal. The original song, from the 1989 film Tridev, was composed by Kalyanji-Anandji with lyrics by Anand Bakshi, and sung by Amit Kumar and Sapna Mukherjee.
What the Lawsuit Claims
Trimurti Films has asserted that it holds exclusive rights over both the musical composition and the sound recording of Tirchi Topiwale. The company alleges that Dhurandhar 2 has used the track—or a version substantially similar to it—without obtaining the required licences.
The lawsuit reportedly accuses the makers of:
- Unauthorised reproduction of copyrighted material
- Public communication of the work without permission
- Commercial exploitation across theatres, streaming platforms, and promotional campaigns
The production house has sought an injunction to immediately restrain further use of the song, along with monetary damages and other legal remedies.
The Controversial Recreation: Rang De Lal
The song Rang De Lal in Dhurandhar 2 blends elements of the original Tirchi Topiwale with new-age production. It features fresh lyrics, modern beats, and multiple singers, while retaining recognisable portions of the original composition.
The recreated track has been composed by Shashwat Sachdev. Credits in the official release (via T-Series) acknowledge both the original and new contributors. Alongside Kalyanji-Anandji and Anand Bakshi, the credits include Shashwat Sachdev and additional lyricists.
The track features vocals by Amit Kumar along with Jasmine Sandlas, Afsana Khan, and Reble—highlighting its hybrid nature as both homage and remix.
Legal Grey Area: Credits vs Permissions
While the makers have credited the original composers and lyricist, the lawsuit raises a critical issue in the film and music industry: crediting a creator does not replace the need for legal licensing.
Even if a recreated track acknowledges original artists, producers must secure:
- Synchronisation rights (for use in films)
- Sound recording rights
- Publishing rights
The absence of any of these can lead to infringement claims, as seen in this case.
Impact on the Film
Despite the controversy, Dhurandhar 2 continues its historic box office run. The film has already crossed Rs 1,000 crore in domestic net collections and remains one of the highest-grossing Indian films.
Starring Ranveer Singh in the lead, the film also features R. Madhavan, Arjun Rampal, Rakesh Bedi, Danish Pandor, and Sara Arjun in key roles.
Released in five languages—Hindi, Tamil, Telugu, Kannada, and Malayalam—the film has enjoyed a massive pan-India reach since its release on March 19.
What Happens Next?
The court’s decision on the injunction will be crucial. If granted, it could:
- Force the makers to remove or modify the song in theatres and digital versions
- Impact streaming and satellite deals
- Lead to financial liabilities depending on the final verdict
For now, neither Aditya Dhar nor the producers have issued an official statement responding to the allegations.
As the legal battle unfolds, the case could set an important precedent for how recreated songs are handled in big-budget Indian films.
