Bollywood's Bold Tracks: Why 'Choli Ke Peeche' and 'Chikni Chameli' Escaped Scrutiny, But 'Sarke Chunar' Faced Censure
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Sarke Chunar Banned: Why This Song Crossed the Line While Choli Ke Peeche Didn't
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News18•18-03-2026, 19:44
Sarke Chunar Banned: Why This Song Crossed the Line While Choli Ke Peeche Didn't
•The song "Sarke Chunar Teri" from KD: The Devil, featuring Nora Fatehi and Sanjay Dutt, was banned on March 18, marking a significant moment in Indian media regulation.
•Unlike previous 'item numbers' like "Choli Ke Peeche" (1993) and "Chikni Chameli" (2012) which used metaphor and suggestion, "Sarke Chunar" was criticized for its graphically descriptive lyrics.
•The ban was a legal intervention by the union government, invoking Article 19(2) of the Constitution for "reasonable restrictions" on freedom of speech in the interest of public order, decency, and morality.
•Union Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw confirmed the ban in the Lok Sabha, citing the song's potential harm to the "safety and social well-being of women" and negative influence on minors.
•The controversy was exacerbated by internal friction, with lyricist Raqueeb Alam distancing himself from the Hindi verses and Nora Fatehi clarifying her limited involvement in the final adaptation.