Singer Mangli has publicly apologized after a recent song, "Sarke Chunar Teri Sarke," sparked widespread controversy over its allegedly vulgar lyrics. The track, featuring Bollywood actor Nora Fatehi, was pulled from all platforms following public outcry and official complaints. Mangli announced on Wednesday that a revised version of the song, with corrected lyrics, would be released.[mid-day+2]
The song "Sarke Chunar Teri Sarke" is from the upcoming pan-India Kannada film "KD: The Devil." It quickly drew criticism after its release earlier this month, primarily for the Hindi version's lyrics.Many listeners described the words as sexually suggestive and containing crude double entendres, making them inappropriate for general public consumption, especially for children.[hindustantimes+7]
Controversy Erupts Over "Sarke Chunar" Lyrics
The music video for "Sarke Chunar Teri Sarke" features Nora Fatehi and veteran actor Sanjay Dutt.Soon after its debut, the song ignited an immediate firestorm on social media and beyond.Critics pointed to specific lines in the Hindi lyrics, such as "Pehle uthale, andar wo daale… neeche ek boond na girae," which were widely interpreted as graphically suggestive. The choreography, which included a "pallu-drop" hook step performed in a bar setting, also faced criticism for being vulgar.[hindustantimes+6]
The backlash was swift and severe. The All Indian Cine Workers Association (AICWA) demanded an official ban on the song. Prominent public figures, including actor-politicians Ravi Kishan and Kangana Ranaut, as well as singer Armaan Malik, openly criticized the song's content. Malik expressed his disappointment on social media, stating he felt sad to see the standard of commercial songwriting fall so low. An advocate, Vineet Jindal, also lodged a complaint with the Central Board of Film Certification, demanding a ban due to the objectionable nature of both lyrics and visuals.[sundayguardianlive+5]
The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) took notice of the controversy. It issued a notice to the Information and Broadcasting Ministry and the Censor Board. The Censor Board, however, clarified that it had no jurisdiction over the matter since the song was initially released on YouTube. In response to the escalating criticism, the Hindi version of "Sarke Chunar Teri Sarke" was removed from all streaming platforms, including YouTube.[yovizag+4]
Mangli Issues Apology, Promises Revised Song[mid-day+4]
Singer Mangli, who lent her voice to the controversial track, issued a public apology via her Instagram account on Wednesday. She acknowledged the public sentiment and expressed regret for the "unintended mistake." Mangli stated, "Out of respect for public sentiment, the song has been removed from all platforms. I sincerely apologise to each and every one of you for the unintended mistake. It was never meant to hurt anyone's sentiments, and we truly regret the oversight."[mid-day+5]
In her statement, Mangli also confirmed that corrective measures have been taken. She announced that the corrected version of the lyrics has been updated, and a revised version of the song was scheduled for release on Wednesday evening. Mangli assured the public that such a situation would not arise again in the future. She also thanked the film's makers and music director Arjun Janya.[mid-day+6]
Nora Fatehi Distances Herself, Blames Filmmakers[mid-day+1]
Bollywood actor Nora Fatehi, who featured prominently in the song's video, also broke her silence on the controversy on Wednesday. She released a video statement on Instagram, distancing herself from the controversial Hindi lyrics. Fatehi explained that she shot the original Kannada version of the song three years ago. She stated that she does not understand Kannada and relied on the filmmakers' translations at the time, noting that nothing seemed inappropriate or vulgar during that process.[mid-day+8]
Fatehi explicitly stated that she had "no idea about this Hindi song" and did not perform to it. She further claimed that "no permission was taken to use it with my image" for the Hindi version and certain AI-generated visuals. Fatehi expressed gratitude for the public backlash, saying it pushed the makers to finally remove the song from social media. She urged the media and social media users to hold filmmakers accountable when controversies arise, rather than solely blaming artists.[indiatoday+7]
Lyricist Raqeeb Alam, who was credited for the Hindi lyrics, also distanced himself from the row. He claimed that he did not originally write the objectionable lines but was contractually required to provide a literal translation of the Kannada lyrics penned by director Prem, who also directed the film.[mid-day+3]
Industry Reaction and Future Implications[hindustantimes+1]
The "Sarke Chunar" controversy has intensified the ongoing debate about the increasing use of sexually explicit and suggestive content in mainstream Indian music. Critics argue that such songs cross ethical boundaries and contribute to the sexualization of women, particularly when accessible to young audiences. Filmmaker Onir criticized the Censor Board for its inaction on the song while being preoccupied with other film-naming issues. BJP MP Ravi Kishan also weighed in, stating that vulgarity harming culture and morals should not be promoted.[sundayguardianlive+2]
The film "KD: The Devil," starring Dhruva Sarja, Sanjay Dutt, and Shilpa Shetty Kundra, is scheduled for a worldwide release on April 30, 2026. The controversy surrounding "Sarke Chunar" is likely to impact the film's pre-release buzz and public perception. The removal of the original Hindi song and the promise of a revised version highlight the growing pressure on filmmakers and artists to produce content that is culturally sensitive and appropriate for a diverse audience. The incident underscores the power of public sentiment and social media in holding the entertainment industry accountable for its creative output.[hindustantimes+3]
