The union government has now officially banned the Sarke Chunariya after the track’s Hindi lyrics sparked widespread outrage. The move was officially confirmed by Union Minister for Information and Broadcasting Ashwini Vaishnav in the Lok Sabha in response to a query by the Samajwadi Party.
The minister said that the freedom of speech must be in the context og society and culture. And that “hard actions should be taken” for the “protection of children and women and deprived groups of people.”
The controversy around that song began soon after its release. Critics took to social media to object to the vulgarity in the lyrics, which objectified women. Critics say lines from the song, shared widely online, show the wording in the lyrics carries a clear double meaning.
Both the Haryana and Karnataka women’s commissions described the lyrics as objectionable, and legal petitions were submitted urging the immediate ban and removal of the song from platforms.
The lyrics of the song were credited to Raqueeb Alam. Alam has now come out to say that he had not written the lyrics and that the song was originally in Kannada.
He was reportedly asked to translate the lyrics into Hindi. “When I was asked to write all this, I refused… They told me to only literally translate the Kannada version,” he said. He reportedly argued with the director who wrote the original lyrics, saying that the song wouldn't work in Hindi as it is vulgar. “But he insisted that I should translate it line by line. To which I said, I will do it, but don't give me credit for the song. Then, he sent one of his associates, Ayyapa, and we both sat down to translate the song from Kannada to Hindi," Alam added.
Speaking about the song, Alam told the Deccan Herald, “When I got to know about the controversy, I called them and asked them to either remove my name from the song or else take down the song completely. So, they took it down."
After the controversy, the director asked Alam to write fresh verses.
“I worked the whole night on Monday and wrote fresh lyrics for 2 antaras, which they have recorded yesterday and will launch it today around 12 pm with an apology note,"
He added that while songs like Choli Ke Peeche Kya Hai and Chikni Chameli are on a lighter note, Sarke Chunar is 'extreme'.
"And if Prem says that he is talking about the bottle, it is important to realise that the bottle is mentioned last. Before that, you have already said a lot. In songs like Choli Ke Peeche Kya Hai, the next line itself says 'choli ke peeche dil hai mera', unlike here where the reference comes at the last," Alam said.
The lyrics Alam references are “Pehle Uthale, Ander Wo Dale, Neeche Ek Boond Na Girae, Khali Kar Ke Nikale, Mujh Pe Na Girana Mujhe Lagta Hai Dar, Bhed Khul Jaae Na Sambhal Ke Jaana Ghar, Choosega ya chatega, jo karega kar, Teri Bottle Pe Na Pade Kisi Ki Bhi Nazar.”
“I have children, too, what if they see such a song of mine or if someone asks them 'what kind of songs your father writes'. I am a family man, I would never want such songs to be heard by the society," he said.
He added a note to the director saying, “Prem, if you continue to write such songs, you will be responsible for spreading a negative message in the society.”