Nora Fatehi's song ‘Sarke Chunar’ under fire over sexually explicit content, disappears from YouTube: Row explained

AYoung vocal featuring actors Nora Fatehi and Sanjay Dutt is at present at the centre of swelled contestation over purportedly sexually explicit content. The music video and the lyrics sparked uproar soon after its release as listeners took objection to its purportedly vulgar lyrics.The song ‘Sarke Chunar Teri Sarke’ from the upcoming pan-India Kannada film ‘KD: The Devil’ has since disappeared from its official YouTube page and the All Indian Cine Workers Association (AICWA) has also demanded an official ban on it.Also read: US drops 5,000-pound 'bunker buster' bombs on Iran missile sites near Strait of HormuzA video of the song was released on YouTube a few days ago and quickly went viral for its shock value. The Kannada film, which will be dubbed in four languages, is set for release on April 30.While the song has come under heavy criticism for its vulgar content, it has also come under scrutiny of the Information and Broadcasting Ministry and there are plans to send a notice to YouTube since the film itself has not been released, PTI reported, quoting sources.Hindi song not on YouTube anymoreAfter its release on YouTube early this week, the Hindi version of the song ‘Sarke Chunar Teri Sarke’ was removed from the YouTube after the sexually explicit lyrics set off a row. However, the Kannada, Malayalam, Telugu and Tamil versions are still available on the video sharing platform.The Hindi song is by Mangli and the lyrics are originally by Prem, the director of the movie. Raqeeb Alam, who was credited for the Hindi version, has distanced himself from the row saying the song was a translation from the original Kannada and he had initially refused to do it.Also read: Big relief for Indian flyers, govt mandates 60% seats in flights to be free"I have not written these lyrics. They were written by the film's director Prem in Kannada. When I was asked to write all this, I refused, saying such songs won't work, and will be censored too. They told me to only literally translate the Kannada version and give it to them... They will set it to the song's meter," Alam told HT City."At the end they say the entire song is about an alcohol bottle. But before that everything is so dirty. I had refused. Why would I need to write such songs?" he added.Criticism of the songThe Nora Fatehi song came under backlash soon after it was released, with filmmaker Onir criticising the Censor board for not taking action against the song."And the Censor board is busy with The naming of a film #GhooskhorPandat. Strange country we are becoming... Opposing Valentines day celebration, interfaith marriage/ celebration while ok with this rubbish," he wrote on X. BJP MP Ravi Kishan also criticised the song saying that vulgarity that harms culture and morals should not be promoted. “Vulgarity that harms culture and morals should not be promoted. Filmmakers should note that movies like Dhurandhar have earned thousands of crores without portraying any vulgarity,” Kishan said. Actor-politician Kangana Ranaut also critcised the song for vulgarity as she called for ‘strictness about the display of such vulgarity and obscenity’ “Bollywood has crossed all limits with vulgarity, tactics, and attention-seeking. The entire country is condemning and reprimanding them. But I don't think they have any shame...There needs to be even more strictness about the display of such vulgarity and obscenity...I think some strict rein will have to be put on Bollywood,” Ranaut told ANI. Fresh version soon?Following the backlash, Alam said he was told by the film's team to write a "fresh version with clean lyrics". They are planning to release the song along with an apology note, he added while acknowledging that the lyrics contain double meaning.