Sanjay Dutt apologises to National Commission for Women over Sarke Chunar song row, to sponsor education for 50 children

Sanjay Dutt's advocate shared that the actor told the NCW he was not aware of the lyrics of the song Sarke Chunar Teri Sarke.

A huge controversy erupted in March with the release of the song, Sarke Chunar Teri Sarke, from the Kannada pan-India film KD: The Devil. The song, featuring Nora Fatehi and Sanjay Dutt, has been slammed for its suggestive lyrics and choreography. After backlash, the National Commission for Women summoned actors Nora Fatehi, Sanjay Dutt and others following the controversy over obscenity and vulgarity in the song. On Monday, April 27, Sanjay appeared before the NCW and apologised.

Sanjay Dutt and Nora Fatehi in a still from Sarke Chunar Teri Sarke from KD.

Sanjay Dutt appears before NCW

Sanjay was seen entering the NCW office on Monday afternoon. The actor arrived with his lawyer after he was summoned. As per news agency ANI, the actor's advocate said, "Sanjay Dutt today appeared before the National Commission for Women and out of his utmost regard for women and for the commission, he said that he was not aware of the wordings but still without prejudice, he has offered an apology and he has also offered voluntarily to sponsor education for 50 children from the tribal community. He said when it was recorded, it was recorded in some other language."

Last month, the NCW said in a statement that the content prima facie appears to be sexually suggestive, objectionable, and violative of provisions under the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, IT Act, and POCSO Act. "The National Commission for Women, in exercise of its powers under the NCW Act, 1990, has taken suo motu cognizance of media reports alleging obscenity and vulgarity in the song 'Sarke Chunar Teri Sarke'," the Commission said.

About the song and the controversy

Sarke Chunar Teri Sarke is part of the pan-India Kannada film, KD: The Devil, directed by Prems. It is picturised on Nora Fatehi, with Sanjay Dutt also appearing. The song's opening verse is a double entendre describing sex in rather graphic detail. As the first stanza progresses, it is revealed that the description is for a drink and bottle (most likely alcohol) and not genitalia, as the previous verses had suggested. The song's choreography has also been criticised for being too suggestive and objectifying the dancer.

The lyrical video for the song has now been removed from YouTube. The song was uploaded in Hindi, Malayalam, Tamil, Telugu, and Kannada by Anand Audio, the film's official music partner.

Last month, Nora took to Instagram to share a video addressing the controversy. In the caption, the actor-dancer wrote, “I would hate for anyone to think I endorse this. Thank you for the backlash because of this pressure; the filmmakers have luckily taken it down." The song has received backlash from social media users and politicians.