Minister Threatens Action Against Sunny Leone Song ‘Madhuban’ For Hurting Religious Sentiments. But Here’s What’s Really Problematic About It
For some reason, item songs have become super popular in Indian pop culture. I never understood the appeal and honestly, many men in my life don’t either. Also, it is pretty problematic how item songs openly sexualise and objectify women showing them as things for men to simply lust over. Don’t even get me started on how these songs are sometimes merely horrible remixes of beloved classics. And while this topic has been spoken about multiple times, no real action has been taken until recently, that too not for the right reasons. MP Minister Narottam Mishra asks the makers (music label Saregama) of the song, ‘Madhuban’ featuring Sunny Leone to change the lyrics of the song as it hurts Hindu sentiments. He has also demanded that Sunny publicly apologise for the same. ‘Madhuban’ has been sung by artists Kanika Kapoor and Arindam Chakraborty.
On Sunday, music label Saregama said that they will change the lyrics of their newly released item song Madhuban which is #3 on trending and has garnered 11,636,971 views since its video has been released on YouTube. Saregama India put a brief statement saying “In light of the recent feedback and respecting the sentiments of our fellow countrymen, we will be changing the lyrics and the name of the song Madhuban. The new song will replace the old one across all platforms over the next 3 days.”
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Also Read: Sunny Leone Opens Up About Getting Bullied As A Child And Carrying It Through Her Entire Life
MP Home Minister Narottam Mishra who is known for having taken offence over the Dabur’s Karvachauth ad and the Sabyasachi’s mangalsutra ad threatened Sunny Leone, who features as the object of attraction in Madhuban and the makers of the song with strict actions if the song isn’t taken down. Mishra asked Sunny to apologise and said that action will be taken against her and composer Saqib Toshi if the song isn’t taken off YouTube within three days. He also said an FIR will be filed against Leone. Mishra said, “Some people continuously hurt Hindu sentiments. There are temples for Radha in India, we pray for her. Saqib Toshi can make songs concerning his religion, but such songs offend us.”
The song ‘Madhuban’ refers to the Hindu God, Krishna and his consort, Radha. Many viewers have also taken offence to the song due to the sensual dance moves. The comments under the video on YouTube have since been turned off. Sant Naval Giri Maharaj of Vrindaban said that they will go to court if the government does not take action against Sunny Leone and ban the video. He also believes that the actress should not be allowed to stay in India unless she publicly apologises.
Now I am offended by ‘Madhuban’ too but not for religious reasons. I respect a religious community’s right to preserve their culture and demand respect for themselves. However, there are many more problematic things about this music video than simply the religious references.
First, how dare anyone does this to a Mohammad Rafi song. The original ‘Madhuban Mein Radhika Nache Re’ is a beautiful masterpiece from the 1960 movie Kohinoor. As someone who has trained in both, Indian classical music and Kathak I absolutely adore the original one. Not only has ‘Madhuban’ completely butchered the grace and beauty of the original but they have turned into a complete earsore. (Sorry, not sorry.)
Second, and most importantly, I do not understand why no one has ever demanded action against item songs like these before. Numerous of them have been released so far. The issue isn’t about preserving a woman’s dignity but just preserving religious sentiments. Because who cares about the women in India who are struggling right now?
