The legal fight around Ranveer Singh’s action drama Dhurandhar 2 is now heading toward a full courtroom battle after mediation efforts between the filmmakers and veteran producer-director Rajiv Rai reportedly failed. What started as a disagreement over the use of the iconic Tridev song “Tirchi Topiwale” has now become one of the most talked-about copyright disputes in Bollywood this month, especially because the controversy involves a cult classic track that still carries massive nostalgia value among audiences.
The matter came up again before the Delhi High Court on Wednesday, where the court was informed that both sides could not arrive at a settlement through mediation. According to Bar and Bench, the judge has now scheduled the matter for further hearing on May 8. The lawsuit was filed by Trimurti Films and filmmaker Rajiv Rai against the makers of Dhurandhar 2, including Jio Studios and B62 Studios.
The dispute revolves around the recreated version of “Tirchi Topiwale,” a song that originally appeared in Rai’s 1989 cult action film Tridev. The original track, sung by Amit Kumar and Sapna Mukherjee with music by the legendary composer duo Kalyanji-Anandji, became a massive chartbuster during its time and continues to remain a popular retro dance number even today. That long-standing popularity is exactly why the recreated version caught attention so quickly after Dhurandhar 2 released.
In Aditya Dhar’s film, the recreated track appears as “Rang De Lal,” which was remixed and reworked by composer Shashwat Sachdev. The sequence reportedly plays during a major climax moment involving actor Rakesh Bedi, while Ranveer Singh leads the film as the central character. The song also became part of the movie’s official soundtrack, something that further intensified the copyright concerns raised by Trimurti Films.
According to the suit, the production house has alleged that the song was used without obtaining proper permissions or licences. Trimurti Films claims ownership and control over the rights connected to both the original musical composition and sound recording. The company has accused the filmmakers of unauthorised reproduction and public communication of the work, calling it a direct case of copyright infringement.
What made the controversy even bigger was Rajiv Rai’s strong public reaction after the film’s release. Speaking to DNA earlier, the filmmaker did not mince words while expressing his anger over the recreated version. He argued that the issue was not only about a soundtrack sample being reused but also about how the song had been altered and integrated into another film’s narrative. Calling it “double theft,” Rai claimed the original work had been lifted and modified without approval.
The Delhi High Court later instructed Rai not to continue making public allegations against the defendants while the matter remains under judicial consideration. That order came after tensions around the case started spilling into public interviews and entertainment media discussions.
Interestingly, this legal battle arrives at a time when Bollywood is heavily relying on remixes, recreated songs, and nostalgia-driven music marketing. Over the last few years, several old Hindi tracks have been repackaged for newer films, often triggering debates among filmmakers, composers, and audiences over ownership, artistic respect, and creative licensing. While some recreations become chart hits, others often face backlash for tampering with beloved classics.
For Dhurandhar 2, the controversy has added another layer of attention around the film, which is still continuing its theatrical run. Directed by Aditya Dhar, the action sequel has remained in headlines both for its high-energy presentation and now for this growing courtroom conflict. Whether the film’s producers eventually settle the matter privately or continue fighting the case legally will become clearer after Friday’s hearing.
For now, the recreated “Rang De Lal” track still remains part of the film’s soundtrack, while the legal fight over “Tirchi Topiwale” looks far from over.
