Veteran actor Sanjay Dutt has issued a formal apology to the National Commission for Women (NCW) regarding the controversy surrounding the song 'Sarke Chunar Teri Sarke' from the upcoming film KD The Devil. Dutt appeared before the commission on Monday, expressing regret for any unintended harm caused to society by the song's content.
Dutt's Apology and Social Commitment
During his appearance, Dutt submitted a written apology, acknowledging the concerns raised about the song's alleged vulgarity and indecent representation of women. Beyond the apology, the actor made a significant commitment: he pledged to sponsor the education of 50 tribal girl children. This initiative is positioned as a contribution towards social welfare and women's empowerment, demonstrating a tangible step towards corrective action.
Furthermore, Dutt assured the NCW that all his future artistic agreements would incorporate mandatory legal due diligence provisions. This measure aims to ensure dignified and appropriate representation of women and children in his films and other creative projects, preventing similar controversies in the future.
The 'Sarke Chunar' Controversy
The Hindi version of 'Sarke Chunar Teri Sarke', released on YouTube on March 15, quickly drew widespread public criticism for its sexually explicit lyrics. The backlash led to the makers removing the Hindi version, though it had already gained significant traction across various platforms.
The NCW, under chairperson Vijaya Rahatkar, flagged concerns about the song's content, questioning issues of intent, awareness, and accountability among those involved. The commission emphasized the responsibility of senior public figures to ensure their work aligns with legal and societal standards, particularly regarding the objectification of women.
Other Parties Involved and Apologies
Actor Nora Fatehi, who was also summoned in connection with the row, could not appear before the NCW as she is currently abroad. She has requested a fresh date for her hearing. Earlier, on April 6, several individuals associated with the song—including director Kiran Kumar (alias Prem), lyricist Raqueeb Alam, and representatives of KVN Production Company Gautam K M and Suprith—had appeared before the commission and submitted their apologies.
The controversy even reached the Lok Sabha, where Samajwadi Party MP Anand Bhadoria raised the matter. Union Information and Broadcasting Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw confirmed that the song had already been banned and stated the government's readiness to take action against such objectionable content.
About KD The Devil
KD The Devil is a Kannada film that has been dubbed into four languages, including Hindi. It is slated for release on April 30. The film features a cast including Dhruva Sarja, V Ravichandran, Ramesh Aravind, Shilpa Shetty, and Sanjay Dutt.