Mediation between Dhurandhar 2 makers and Trimurti Films over ‘Oye Oye’ song fails

The mediation between Trimurti Films and the makers of Dhurandhar 2 in the copyright dispute over the song Rang De Lal (Oye Oye) has failed, lawyers informed Delhi High Court on Wednesday. (Trimurti Films Vs B62)

Justice Tushar Rao Gedela has now listed the case for hearing on May 8.

The dispute stemmed from allegations by Trimurti Films that the song Rang De Lal (Oye Oye) in Dhurandhar 2 uses the musical composition of Tirchi Topiwala from the 1989 Hindi film Tridev without authorisation.

Tirchi Topiwala, featuring Sunny Deol, was composed by Anand–Milind with lyrics by Anand Bakshi.

Trimurti Films claimed rights over the song and alleged that the makers of Dhurandhar 2 used the track, or a substantially similar version of it, without obtaining the necessary licence.

Trimurti argued that such use amounted to copyright infringement. Its grievance also extended to commercial exploitation of the song through theatrical release, streaming on digital platforms and promotional material connected with Dhurandhar 2.

Super Cassettes, which holds the audio rights in Dhurandhar 2 songs, opposed interim relief. They argued that Trimurti had approached the Court with unclean hands and had suppressed prior instances where similar songs from Tridev were used in other films.

B62 Films, the producer of Dhurandhar 2, told the Court that the film had already been released in theatres and was unlikely to be made available on OTT platforms till mid-May.

The Court initially referred the case to mediation.

When the case was taken up today, the Court was informed that mediation has failed.

The judge then posted the case for hearing on May 8.

Trimurti was represented by Senior Advocate Swathi Sukumar with advocate Arunadrhi Iyer.

Super Cassettes was represented by Senior Advocate Akhil Sibal with advocates Aditya Gupta, Asavari Jain, Geetanjali Visvanathan and Shivansh Tiwari from Ira Law.

B62 Films was represented by Senior Advocate Ravi Prakash Kumar with Advocates Parag Khandhar with Advocates Chandrima Mitra, Anaheeta Verma, Krishan Kumar and Diva Chanchani from DSK Legal.

Advocates Vishesh Issar, Rahul Dhawan, Apoorv Bansal and Vaishali Singh from Lex Chambers appeared for Jio Studios, the producer.