The latest Hindi-dubbed song from Kannada actionerKD: The Devil,Sarke Chunar, has been at the centre of controversy ever since it released.
The song drew widespread criticism for its vulgar and crass lyrics. Its lyricist Raqueeb Alam recently reacted to the backlash and denied writing the original lyrics. He said that he only translated the song from the Kannada version. Here's what he said:
Nora Fatehi's 'Sarke Chunar' lyricist Raqueeb Alam reacts to backlash over vulgar lyrics
Credit: YouTube/Anand Audio
In a conversation with HT City Raqueeb Alam, who has been credited for the lyrics of Chunar Teri Sarke, has denied it, saying he did not write the original lyrics. They were written by Prem, the movie's director. He also said that he had refused initially, objecting that the song will be not passed by censor board.
He said, "Yeh lyrics maine nahi likhe hain, 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. Words like 'Choosega', 'chaatega' are all there in the original version only."
Alam also acknowledged that the song has deliberately suggestive lyrics, meant to draw attention. He said that listeners discover at the end of the song that it's about an alcohol bottle and that everything before is simply vile.
He said, "Last mein jaake batate hain that the entire song is about an alcohol bottle. Lekin usse pehle sab kuchh itna ganda hai. Maine mana kiya tha. Mujhe kya zaroorat hai aise gaane likhne ki?"
He also said that he is a respectable lyricist who has contributed to big projects like Allu Arjun's Pushpa and Ram Charan's Peddi. He added that he is "humiliated" because of a song like Sarke Chunar.
He added, "When I write good songs, people don't notice. I have written Chikri Chikri in Hindi for Ram Charan's upcoming film Peddi. All the songs of Pushpa in Hindi were written by me. I am feeling humiliated myself because of Sarke Chunar."
The makers took down the official version of the Hindi-dubbed song from YouTube. Alam also said that they asked him to rewrite the lyrics.
He said, "They called me on Monday night, and requested me to write a fresh version with clean lyrics. I sent it to them on Tuesday morning, it was being recorded the same day. They are planning to release the song on Tuesday evening along with an apology note."
Controversy surrounding 'Sarke Chunar' song