Why Rajasthan BJP Leader Rajendra Rathore Wants ‘Shoorveer’ Removed From Mirzapur: The Movie

The controversy surrounding Mirzapur: The Movie has taken a political turn after senior Rajasthan BJP leader Rajendra Rathore objected to the use of the song ‘Shoorveer’ in the film.

Rathore, a former Leader of Opposition in the Rajasthan Assembly and a seven-term BJP MLA, has written to the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) seeking the removal of the song from the movie. He has argued that the track, which celebrates the valour and sacrifice of Maharana Pratap, should not have been associated with gangster and criminal characters. 

Why is Rajendra Rathore opposing the song?

According to Rathore, the problem is not simply the presence of a Rajasthani song in a Hindi film. His objection centres on the context in which ‘Shoorveer’ has been used.

The song appears during a violent sequence involving Munna Tripathi, the character played by Divyenndu in the Mirzapur franchise. Rathore said that connecting a song dedicated to Maharana Pratap with gangster characters is inappropriate and could hurt the sentiments of people who revere the historic warrior. 

In his letter to the CBFC, Rathore argued that freedom of expression should not be used to justify what he considers the distortion or disrespect of revered historical figures and India's cultural heritage. He has therefore asked the censor board to remove the song and prevent similar use of historical symbols and references in the future. 

What is the ‘Shoorveer’ controversy?

The song was created and performed by Rajasthani artist Rapperiya Baalam as a tribute to Maharana Pratap. Baalam himself had earlier expressed anger after discovering that the song had been used in Mirzapur: The Movie.

He alleged that the filmmakers had not approached him for permission and objected particularly to the track being played alongside scenes involving gangsters and villains. He also questioned why the song was being used in that context when it was intended to celebrate Maharana Pratap's courage and legacy. 

Baalam subsequently demanded that the song be taken out of the film, saying the issue was about the manner in which his work and its association with Maharana Pratap had been handled—not simply about financial compensation. 

Was the song actually used without permission?

This part of the controversy has another dimension.

While Baalam alleged that the song had been used without his permission, Trouper Records, the label behind the track, later stated that Shoorveer had been officially licensed to Excel Entertainment for use in Mirzapur: The Movie. The label also credited Baalam as the singer and composer of the song. 

Therefore, the copyright/licensing issue is separate from Rathore's objection over the creative and cultural context in which the song was used.

What happens next?

Rathore has now put the matter before the CBFC, asking the certification body to review the song's use and remove it from the film.

For the moment, the controversy revolves around two different questions: whether the song was properly licensed and whether its use alongside gangster characters was culturally appropriate. The music label has publicly said the track was licensed, while the objections from Rathore and Baalam focus strongly on its association with the fictional criminals in the film. 

Mirzapur: The Movie, directed by Gurmeet Singh and produced by Farhan Akhtar and Ritesh Sidhwani under Excel Entertainment, was released in theatres on September 4, 2026.