18 March,2026 04:03 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondent
Nora Fatehi on backlash
A controversy has erupted around the recently released song Sarke Chunar Teri Sarke, featuring Nora Fatehi and Sanjay Dutt from KD: The Devil. The song was pulled down hours after its upload as it faced backlash for its alleged vulgar lyrics. While several government authorities have directed the CBFC to ban the song, Nora Fatehi has now reacted to the controversy. She denies performing in the song and states she won't endorse such a track.
Nora uploaded a video clarifying her stance on the controversy. She stated in the video that she is currently grieving a loss and is addressing the backlash amid this. Nora said, "I shot this song three years ago in a language called Kannada, which is a part of a different industry called Sandalwood, okay? And when I shot this song three years ago, I said yes to it because it was a part of a big film, it was with a big icon, Sanjay Dutt. Who would say no to working with him? He's such an icon."
While Nora was shooting for the song, it was in the Kannada version, and she failed to understand the language. However, the lyrics at that time didn't seem inappropriate to her. She further recalled how she had issues during the song launch and was later shocked to see AI-generated images of her and Dutt. "When I was invited for the launch at the event, I sat there and saw the Kannada version, which, first of all, I had a major issue with because they didn't take any approvals from me when they created that lyrical version. They used very unflattering photos, and if anyone knows me, they know that I have to approve all my photos. They put this lyrical version out without my approval."
She added, "Then they created an image of me and Sanjay Dutt, which was AI-generated. I'm already against AI, so I was already feeling really irritated at the event when I saw what I saw."
Nora further clarified that she disassociated herself from the project as soon as she heard the Hindi version, as she was aware it could lead to backlash. She even stated that this was the reason she never promoted the song. "I said, my image and reputation are on the line. Here's the thing: as artists, especially artists like me who, one, don't really have this backing - we're not nepo kids, we don't come with a certain power behind us - it's just us. We're just individuals, and the audience is behind us. We have little power. We have little control. Thankfully, I've been lucky in Bollywood to work with a lot of people who have respected my opinion, who have respected my creative calls on certain things, and who listened to me."
In the caption, Nora wrote, "I would hate for anyone to think I endorse this. Thank you for the backlash because, due to this pressure, the filmmakers have luckily taken it down. I'd also request everyone to stop sharing the song because you're just giving it a platform unnecessarily. On a side note, I see some of you trying to use this as an opportunity to attack my character. It's unfortunate. Anyways, my team and I will be more careful in the future in such situations. However, I do want to reiterate that I had no idea about this Hindi song, I did not perform to it, and there was no permission taken to use it with my image."
The latest controversy around Nora Fatehi centers on the song Sarke Chunar Teri Sarke from the film KD: The Devil. Soon after its release, the track drew widespread backlash for allegedly vulgar lyrics and suggestive choreography. The Ministry of Information and Broadcasting has instructed the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) to take strict action if the claims are verified.
The All Indian Cine Workers Association (AICWA) has demanded an official ban on the song and said that such âvulgar and double-meaning content' is unacceptable in Indian cinema. Recently, the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) also issued a notice over the alleged use of objectionable and double-meaning lyrics in the song.
