Nora Fatehi Addresses Controversy Over Sarke Chunar Teri Song

Nora Fatehi, the popular actor and dancer, has publicly addressed the significant backlash surrounding the Hindi version of the song 'Sarke Chunar Teri Sarke' from the film KD: The Devil. Speaking on the Dream with Dr Sheen podcast, she revealed that the negative reactions did not catch her off guard. Fatehi stated she has developed resilience towards criticism and is aware of the patterns in how influencers respond to controversies.

She claimed that some online outrage was financially motivated, stating, 'I already know who hired you, when, and how much they paid you. That was an opportunity well squeezed by whoever was behind that.' The actor clarified that she had not approved the adaptation of the song into Hindi, which she originally filmed in Kannada almost three years prior.

In her remarks, she explained, 'Whatever they have done right now, dubbing it in Hindi and the lyrics, they did not take any permission or approval from me. I had no idea about it.' She indicated that she had dissociated herself from the project due to concerns over her image and reputation. The backlash prompted the removal of the Hindi version from various platforms.

Fatehi recounted being in the middle of a three-day shoot when the controversy erupted and highlighted her calmness amidst the chaos. She had signed on for the song believing it to be an integral part of a major film featuring Sanjay Dutt. However, her unfamiliarity with Kannada at the time meant that she relied heavily on the project team's communication.

Upon attending the launch event, she noticed issues with the presentation of the song, mentioning, 'They used unflattering photos in the lyrical video. I was very irritated at the event when I saw all that.' She expressed her frustrations to the filmmakers promptly, insisting that they did not have her approval to use her image in the Hindi version.

Fatehi also discussed the broader implications of the controversy on artistic control, noting that artists often have limited power in the industry. 'The thing with us artists is that we do not have power; we have little power and control,' she remarked, while acknowledging that her concerns were taken seriously in the Bollywood space.

In response to the escalating backlash, a complaint was filed alleging that the song contained 'highly vulgar, sexually suggestive, and obscene expressions.' The complaint claimed that the lyrics and visuals were inappropriate, particularly for younger audiences. Key contributors to the track, including lyricist Raqeeb Alam, director Prem, and singer Mangli, were named in the grievance. The National Commission for Women has also taken notice of the controversy, indicating that the content might infringe on standards of decency as articulated under Indian law.

Nora concluded by urging filmmakers to bear responsibility for the content they create. She emphasized that she would not want anyone to assume she endorsed the song, as her silence could lead to misunderstandings. Following the controversy, she expressed gratitude that the offending video was ultimately taken down, reinforcing that the conversation surrounding accountability in the entertainment industry is vital.