Mumbai, March 18: The Bollywood and independent music scenes have faced ongoing criticism for vulgar lyrics, disrespect towards women, and objectification. In recent years, several songs have sparked controversy, raising questions about the dignity of women. While these tracks often break viewership records, they also ignite serious societal discussions. Calls for action from the censor board, women’s commissions, and law enforcement have increased.
The latest controversy revolves around the song “Chunar Sarake” from the film “KD: The Devil,” featuring Sanjay Dutt and Nora Fatehi. Released on March 15, the lyrics of “Chunar Sarake” have crossed lines of decency, further exacerbated by bold dance moves. Within hours of its release, the song was embroiled in controversy, prompting questions about how it was approved by the censor board. Many have demanded strict action and a ban.
Amid the uproar, the women’s commission issued a notice to the producers. Additionally, Union Minister for Information and Broadcasting Ashwini Vaishnaw announced that the song has been banned. In light of the growing controversy, lyricist Rakib Alam clarified that he did not originally write the song; it was penned in Kannada and he merely translated it into Hindi.
This is not the first time a film song has faced backlash, complaints, or bans. Numerous songs from both Bollywood and South Indian cinema have been included in this list. For instance, the 2012 song “Dreamum Wakeupum” from the film “Aiyyaa,” written by Amitabh Bhattacharya, faced criticism for using inappropriate language, blending English and Malayalam. The dance moves and lyrics were accused of objectifying women.
In the same year, “Gangs of Wasseypur” featured the song “I Am a Hunter,” an adult track with double entendres in English. Due to its boldness, the song faced significant opposition before its release. Consequently, the censor board objected to certain scenes and words, imposing strict rules on its television broadcast to prevent it from airing during prime time, resulting in a censored version.
In 2025, Neha Kakkar’s song “Candy Shop,” featuring her and her brother Tony Kakkar, was criticized for one of Neha’s dance moves, which netizens deemed vulgar. Users condemned the song on social media, accusing it of degrading the country’s culture. Despite its release on YouTube, the song struggled due to the ensuing controversy.
Also in 2025, Yo Yo Honey Singh’s track “Maniac” from his album “Glory” faced allegations of vulgarity. The lyrics, penned by Leo Grewal and composed by Honey Singh, included a Bhojpuri segment sung by Ragini Vishwakarma. The song faced legal challenges, but the Delhi High Court dismissed the petition.
Moreover, Honey Singh and Karan Aujla’s songs “Millionaire” and “MF Gabru” have also been mired in controversy. The Punjab State Women’s Commission issued notices to both artists, stating that their songs disrespect women’s dignity and violate social values, with Chairperson Raj Lali Gill calling for action.
On March 1, 2026, Badshah released “Tatti,” a Haryanvi hip-hop track featuring visuals of schoolgirls in uniforms and vulgar gestures. The song faced severe backlash on social media, being labeled as disrespectful to women. Following the protests, it was removed from YouTube on March 7. The Haryana State Women’s Commission took notice, summoned Badshah, and several complaints were filed against him. Badshah later apologized to fans via social media, but protests continued.
The song “Aafat” from the film “Liger,” featuring Ananya Panday and Vijay Deverakonda, was a flop but still faced criticism for objectifying women and normalizing rape, with its lyrics deemed controversial.
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Arpit Soni has had a passion for journalism since the beginning. Now he has turned this hobby into his profession. Arpit, who is a resident of Udaipur, enjoys editing and writing news related to journalism. He has worked as a Senior Content Producer in several important roles at Bhaskar, Patrika, Pratahkal, Punjab Kesari, and Times. Arpit completed his schooling in Udaipur and Jaipur. He has been working in the media industry for more than 10 years, and his journey is still continuing. ✍️📚
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