A song by the popular band ‘Hooliganism’ has become the latest viral sensation on social media, sparking a significant controversy. The song includes a brief but impactful segment that mentions three prominent political figures in West Bengal—Kunal Ghosh, Dilip Ghosh, and Shatrughna Ghosh. This reference has ignited debates, with some interpreting it as a direct commentary on state politics. However, Kunal Ghosh, the spokesperson for the ruling Trinamool Congress (TMC), has already stated that he finds nothing offensive in the song. Meanwhile, BJP leader Dilip Ghosh and CPI(M) leader Shatrughna Ghosh have yet to comment on the issue.
The song has sparked a flurry of opinions across social media, with some praising the boldness of the band’s approach, while others have spoken out against it. The controversy has drawn the attention of various musicians, including singer Mekhla Dasgupta, who has been vocal about her disapproval. On the other hand, director Sourav Palodhi, who is one of the main members of the band, has expressed his frustration with the “hype” surrounding the song, insisting that it was not meant to generate such a storm. But how did this song suddenly become the centre of attention, and why has it gone viral? Was it consciously crafted to provoke, or was it just an attempt to do something different? One of the band’s key vocalists, Debraj Bhattacharya, shared his perspective, with Sourav and Mekhla also weighing in.
The song in question, titled “Tumi Masti Korbe Jani” (“I know you will have fun”), was performed by Onirban and Debraj at a recent musical event in Kolkata. The song, delivered almost conversationally, touches on topics ranging from the Prime Minister to pensions, and from the three ‘Ghoshes’ to various political and social issues. The most viral part of the song, however, remains the mention of the three Ghoshes. Debraj clarified that this particular section of the song had been evolving since 2015, during Onirban’s “Choumatha” play, and was consciously written to include political references.
Debraj elaborated, “Onirban has been performing this song since 2015. The rap part in the lyrics has evolved over time, and we intentionally kept it political. It was meant to reflect the current times.”
However, the song has caused some discomfort among certain individuals, including director Sourav Palodhi, who has expressed his dissatisfaction with the way it is being framed as revolutionary. Sourav remarked, “Revolution is not as simple as people are making it out to be. I have no issues with their work, but there’s this absurd notion around it, like Onirban has somehow pulled off something extraordinary. In reality, he hasn’t. There’s no need to hype this up. The political responsibility of questioning things like why schools aren’t opening or why jobs are being cancelled should be taken more seriously. This is nothing more than a bit of fun from the show, and I don’t think it should be blown out of proportion.”
Debraj responded by saying, “We’ve performed this song before, but it wasn’t until now that it became a viral sensation. We didn’t intend for it to go viral; it just happened. We didn’t do anything revolutionary. In fact, revolution is quite hard to achieve in our society. All we did was say what we felt needed to be said. The anger is coming from the fact that we don’t fit into any particular category, and that’s what’s making people uncomfortable.”
Sourav also addressed the controversy over the references to the three ‘Ghoshes’, saying he disagreed with the way it had been presented. “The people who are making fun of these three figures are doing so without recognising their political significance. These men are far more politically involved than the person making the jokes. They may be involved in corruption, but they’re crucial to the political landscape. People are angry because the song mentions figures who represent different ideological extremes—one is a convicted criminal, another wants India to become a Hindu state, and Shatrughna is advocating for the opening of schools. You tell me, how do you feel about that?”
In the midst of all this, the song continues to make waves, with political implications being discussed far beyond its musical context. The debate rages on, leaving the public to decide whether it’s a mere piece of satirical fun or a serious commentary on the political climate of West Bengal.