Renowned Bollywood playback singer Shreya Ghoshal recently opened up about some of the pivotal decisions in her career during a candid podcast interview. She addressed long-standing controversies, including her refusal to sing the blockbuster track “Fevicol Se” from the film Dabangg 2 and criticism she faced for lending her voice to the chartbuster “Chikni Chameli”.
According to Ghoshal, the lyrics of “Fevicol Se”, performed by Salman Khan and Kareena Kapoor, felt excessively indecent to her. Lines such as “Chicken bana ke kha le” left her deeply uncomfortable. She chose to prioritise her personal principles and politely declined the opportunity, despite the song’s potential popularity.
In contrast, when questioned on social media about why she sang “Chikni Chameli”, an item number widely criticised for its objectification of women, Ghoshal admitted that at the time, she did not fully grasp the deeper implications of certain lyrics. She acknowledged that she had matured since then and would no longer agree to record songs that portray women merely as objects.
The singer further shared that she is taking a temporary break from recording, much like fellow artist Arijit Singh, to carefully select future projects. Ghoshal emphasised that going forward, she will refuse any work if the lyrics or subject matter do not align with her values or ethical standards.
This perspective reflects a growing awareness among artists in Bollywood regarding content sensitivity and ethical choices in song selection.
Summary of Key Decisions
| Song Title | Film | Reason for Decision | Current Stance |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fevicol Se | Dabangg 2 | Lyrics deemed indecent; uncomfortable | Would not perform such songs |
| Chikni Chameli | Agneepath | Recorded without full awareness of meaning | Avoid similar content in future |
Ghoshal’s revelations highlight the challenges faced by artists navigating commercial success while maintaining personal integrity. Her candid reflections offer insight into the ethical considerations that influence career decisions in the Indian music industry today.