Rajasthan BJP leader seeks removal of 'Shoorveer' from 'Mirzapur The Movie'

Senior BJP leader and former Rajasthan Assembly Leader of Opposition Rajendra Rathore has sought the removal of the song “Shoorveer”, dedicated to Maharana Pratap, from “Mirzapur The Movie”, objecting to its use during a shootout scene involving gangster character Munna Tripathi, played by Divyenndu.

Rathore has written to Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) chairperson Shashi Shekhar Vempati, urging the board to remove the song and ensure that songs, symbols and references associated with historical personalities are not used in ways that could hurt public sentiments.

“The use of Rapperiya Baalam's 'Shoorveer' song in 'Mirzapur The Movie' alongside gangsters, drug peddlers and criminal characters is extremely objectionable and hurts public sentiments,” Rathore said in his letter.

He said the portrayal amounted to disrespect towards Maharana Pratap and the historical and cultural heritage associated with him, arguing that the values represented by the legendary Rajput ruler were fundamentally different from those associated with gangster characters.

“Linking these two completely different contexts together is inappropriate,” Rathore said, adding that objections were also being raised on social media over the use of the song.

He urged the CBFC to remove the lyrics of “Shoorveer” from the film and ensure that similar uses are not permitted in future.

The song, composed and sung by Rapperiya Balam, the stage name of Rajasthan folk singer Ashok Manda Bishnoi, celebrates the valour of Maharana Pratap and his horse Chetak during the Battle of Haldighati against the Mughal army.

Bishnoi has also shared Rathore's letter on Instagram. The singer had earlier alleged that the song was used in the film without his permission.

In a video posted last week, Bishnoi said the song was dedicated to Maharana Pratap and questioned its use in a scene that he alleged glorified villains.

“Then who gave them the permission? And this song is dedicated to Maharana Pratap and it is being used in the movie to glorify villains. Is this right?” he said.

Bishnoi described the use of the song as an insult to Rajasthan and Maharana Pratap and said his heart was “broken” over the alleged unauthorised use.

“Mirzapur The Movie”, starring Ali Fazal, Divyenndu and Pankaj Tripathi among others, was released on September 4.