Bollywood 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." Dutt appeared before the commission on Monday, submitting a written statement expressing regret for any unintended societal harm and committing to sponsor the education of 50 tribal girls.
NCW Raises Concerns Over Song's Content
The NCW hearing, led by chairperson Vijaya Rahatkar, focused on allegations of vulgarity and the indecent portrayal of women in the song, which is part of the upcoming film KD The Devil. The commission scrutinized the intent behind the content, the awareness of its potential impact, and the accountability of those involved. Rahatkar emphasized the responsibility of prominent public figures to ensure their work adheres to both legal and social standards.
Dutt Pledges Social Welfare and Future Due Diligence
As part of his corrective actions, Sanjay Dutt committed to funding the education of 50 tribal girl children, framing this initiative as a contribution to social welfare and women's empowerment. Furthermore, he assured the commission that all his future artist agreements would incorporate mandatory legal due diligence provisions. These measures are intended to guarantee the dignified and appropriate representation of women and children in his cinematic and creative projects.
Nora Fatehi Seeks New Hearing Date
Actor Nora Fatehi, who was also summoned in connection with the controversy, could not attend the hearing. She is currently abroad and has requested a fresh date to appear before the commission.
Previous Apologies and Public Outcry
The "Sarke Chunar" song, particularly its Hindi version released on YouTube on March 15, ignited widespread public outrage due to its sexually explicit lyrics. Following the backlash, the creators removed the Hindi version, though it had already circulated widely. Earlier, on April 6, the song's director Kiran Kumar (alias Prem), lyricist Raqueeb Alam, and representatives from KVN Production Company, Gautam K M and Suprith, had already appeared before the NCW and submitted their apologies. Nora Fatehi had previously distanced herself from the Hindi version, stating her permission was not taken for its use, as she had only shot for the Kannada original.
Parliamentary Discussion on Vulgar Content
The matter also reached the Lok Sabha during Question Hour last month, where Samajwadi Party MP Anand Bhadoria raised concerns. Union Information and Broadcasting Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw confirmed that the song had been banned and reiterated the government's readiness to act against such vulgar content.
About the Film KD The Devil
KD The Devil is a Kannada film slated for release on April 30. It has been dubbed into four languages, including Hindi, and features a cast including Dhruva Sarja, V Ravichandran, Ramesh Aravind, Shilpa Shetty, and Sanjay Dutt.