Veteran Lyricist Sameer Anjaan Questions CBFC's Role in 'Sarke Chunar' Controversy
Veteran lyricist Sameer Anjaan has entered the heated debate surrounding 'Sarke Chunar', the controversial song from the upcoming Kannada film 'KD: The Devil', asserting that it is fundamentally unfair to place sole responsibility on writers for such content. "People always try to corner the writer, when in reality the writer makes the fewest mistakes," Anjaan told News18, highlighting what he perceives as an industry-wide imbalance in accountability.
The Distinction Between Suggestive and Vulgar Content
Anjaan drew a crucial distinction between suggestive material and deliberately vulgar content, using historical examples to illustrate his point. "Sometimes, a story warrants a 'mirch masala' type of song. That's okay. 'Sarkai Lo Khatiya' was exactly that," he explained, referencing the popular track from the film 'Raja Babu'. However, he was quick to clarify that the current controversy involves a different category of content. "But 'Sarke Chunar' is not like that Sanjay Dutt song. Sometimes, a normal song is made to sound vulgar deliberately," he added, implying a calculated intent behind the lyrics in question.
Direct Challenge to Film Certification Board
The lyricist launched a pointed critique of the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC), questioning their fundamental oversight role. "Why did it not get censored? If a regular auto driver can decipher how vulgar the song is, did the people at CBFC not understand the double meaning? Why was it even given the opportunity to take a legal route?" Anjaan asked, expressing bewilderment at the certification process. He further argued that post-release bans are largely ineffective in the digital age. "They chose to ban the song eventually, but you can't completely erase something from the digital world once it's out," he stated, highlighting the practical limitations of reactive censorship.
Criticism of Industry-Wide Double Standards
Anjaan expanded his criticism to encompass what he sees as pervasive hypocrisy within the broader entertainment industry regarding vulgar content. "Some of the biggest films and shows have cuss words in the name of dialogues. Is that not vulgarity? Is that not wrong? There may be no regulation on the OTT space, but censorship exists in theatrical films," he noted, pointing to a regulatory inconsistency. He posed a challenging question about selective enforcement: "So why do they still have abuses in them? And if dialogues can have cuss words, songs can also have vulgarity. What kind of double standards is this?"
Taking his argument to a logical extreme, Anjaan added, "If people are ready to listen to abuses, then let them listen to vulgar songs too. Then just ban and release blue films after a few days. Let people watch those as well." This rhetorical flourish underscored his frustration with what he perceives as arbitrary and inconsistent content regulation.
Call for Stricter Pre-Release Certification
Attributing the current situation to evolving societal norms, Anjaan advocated for more rigorous checks at the initial certification stage rather than reactive measures. "There should be strict restrictions on these things. Such songs should never be allowed to release in the first place. What's the point of banning it and fighting it out when it has already been released?" he argued, emphasizing prevention over cure. He concluded with a resigned observation on changing times: "Earlier, people knew their boundaries, but now if the whole world has become so open, then let it be open!"
Background of the 'Sarke Chunar' Controversy
The song 'Sarke Chunar', featuring dancer and actress Nora Fatehi, was officially banned last month following intense public backlash over lyrics laden with sexual innuendos. The All Indian Cine Workers Association (AICWA) had formally written to CBFC chief Prasoon Joshi, demanding the filing of an FIR against the film's makers.
Nora Fatehi failed to appear before the National Commission for Women (NCW) on April 6 for a scheduled hearing regarding the song. She has since been granted a final opportunity to attend the rescheduled hearing on April 27. In a video statement, Fatehi clarified that she had not approved the Hindi version of the track and urged the public not to hold her responsible for its content.
Meanwhile, lyricist Raqueeb Alam stated that he only translated the song into Hindi, while director Prem is credited with writing the original Kannada lyrics. This clarification adds another layer to the ongoing debate about creative responsibility and translation ethics in the film industry.
