Controversy Surrounds Nora Fatehi's 'Sarke Chunar' as Lyricist Speaks Out

The controversy over Nora Fatehi's song 'Sarke Chunar' has ignited discussions on social media. Lyricist Raqueeb Alam has voiced his frustrations about the lack of respect for his work in the industry, revealing his shift towards South Indian cinema. He criticized the politics within Bollywood and emphasized the need for music directors to support lyricists. The song, which faced backlash after its release, is set to be re-uploaded with a fresh version. The film KD: The Devil, featuring notable actors, is scheduled for release in 2026.

By Narendra Chaudhary Mar 20, 2026, 00:01 IST

Nora Fatehi's 'Sarke Chunar' Sparks Debate

The controversy regarding Nora Fatehi's song, Sarke Chunar, has taken social media by storm. Following the government's decision to ban the Hindi version of the Kannada film KD: The Devil’s Song, criticism has been directed at both lyricist Raqueeb Alam and Fatehi for their involvement. They have since clarified their positions and distanced themselves from the song.

Raqueeb Alam's Revelations

In a recent interview, Raqueeb Alam expressed his frustrations about the lack of respect he receives as a lyricist in India. He revealed that he had disagreements with director Prem regarding the lyrics of 'Sarke Chunar', questioning why he was credited for lyrics he deemed inappropriate. Alam stated, “I receive payment but not the respect I deserve. Despite writing many popular songs, I have not been approached by Bollywood, which led me to focus on South Indian cinema instead.”

He further emphasized that music directors should advocate for lyricists who often go unrecognized. Alam lamented that the industry tends to spotlight singers and musicians after a song's success, neglecting the contributions of the writers. He remarked, “There is a lot of politics in Bollywood. My attempts to connect with industry figures have not yielded positive results, prompting my shift to South Indian films.”

Details on 'Sarke Chunar'

Originally filmed three years ago, Nora Fatehi stated that the lyrical video was released on YouTube without her consent, and the thumbnail featuring her and Sanjay Dutt was generated by AI. In response to the backlash, the production team has removed the song from YouTube and plans to release a revised version shortly. Raqueeb has already provided his updated draft to the music team. The film KD: The Devil, which includes stars like Dhruva Sarja and Shilpa Shetty, is set to premiere in theaters on April 30, 2026.