Controversial Bollywood Songs That Were Banned or Faced Backlash
Music is an essential part of Bollywood, often reflecting the culture, emotions, and moments of our society. But sometimes, a song’s lyrics, visuals, or themes unintentionally cross lines — leading to criticism, censorship, or even public protests.
In Indian cinema, there have been several songs that became talking points not for their melody, but for the reactions they triggered. This article explores such instances where music met resistance — and controversy followed.
''Controversial Bollywood Songs List'''
1. Besharam Rang
Besharam Rang from Pathaan (2023) wasn’t just another glamorous Bollywood dance number — it became a lightning rod for political outrage. The moment Deepika Padukone appeared in a saffron bikini, all hell broke loose. Right-wing groups, politicians, and religious leaders accused the makers of deliberately disrespecting Hindu sentiments, claiming that associating the sacred saffron with the word “besharam” (shameless) was an attack on Indian culture. Hashtags like #BoycottPathaan trended non-stop, effigies of Shah Rukh Khan were burned, and calls for bans echoed across newsrooms. Madhya Pradesh’s Home Minister even warned of “consequences” if the visuals weren’t changed. Yet despite the uproar, the controversy only added fuel to the film’s fire — Pathaan stormed into the ₹1000 crore club, proving once again that outrage can be great PR in disguise. Ironically, what critics wanted erased became the most talked-about moment in Bollywood that year.
2. Ghoomer
The movie Padmaavat (2018) sparked significant controversy, particularly around its depiction of the Ghoomar dance. Ghoomar is a respected traditional Rajasthani folk dance usually performed by women during festive gatherings. Rajput groups objected to how the queen was shown performing Ghoomar in what they described as inappropriate attire, calling it a misrepresentation of their heritage. They emphasized that a Rajput queen would never perform before an audience or bear her midriff. The presence of Alauddin Khilji’s character near Rani Padmavati in the film’s narrative was also seen as offensive. Many believed it insulted not just the queen but the entire Rajput community’s identity and values. The controversy deepened when rumors spread about an intimate dream sequence involving the Muslim king and Hindu queen. Despite repeated clarifications from the director that no such scene existed, protests and calls for a ban intensified. This situation highlighted the tensions between artistic expression and cultural sensitivity.
3. Fevicol Se
The song “Radha” from the 2012 Bollywood film Student of the Year sparked controversy for allegedly portraying the Hindu deity Radha in an inappropriate manner. Following a complaint by advocate Sudhir Kumar Ojha, a local court in Muzaffarpur, Bihar directed the police to file an FIR against actor Shah Rukh Khan, his wife Gauri Khan, director Karan Johar, and others under IPC Sections 294, 295, and 295A — relating to obscenity and hurting religious sentiments. The complaint specifically referred to the depiction of Radha in a song from the film, which was deemed objectionable. The film’s actors Varun Dhawan, Alia Bhatt, and Siddharth Malhotra, along with Dharma Productions and Red Chillies Entertainment, were also named in the case. Following the backlash, the filmmakers edited the song lyrics, changing the phrase “sexy Radha body” to “desi Radha body” in later versions of the film.
5. Munni Badnaam Hui
The chartbuster song “Munni Badnaam Hui” from the 2010 film Dabangg was surrounded by multiple controversies despite its massive popularity. One of the key legal issues involved a trademark dispute with Emami, the maker of Zandu Balm, as the brand’s name was used repeatedly in the song without prior permission. Emami filed a lawsuit against the producers but later settled out of court and went on to feature Malaika Arora, the song’s performer, in official Zandu Balm advertisements. Additionally, the song faced criticism from social groups and legal petitioners for being “indecent” and “immoral.” A Public Interest Litigation (PIL) was filed in the Allahabad High Court, and another case in Mumbai objected to the use of the word “Hindustan” in the lyrics. Although the censor board granted the film a U/A certificate without cuts, the word “Policeistan” was later altered in some versions to avoid further controversy. Watch on YouTube
6. Sheila Ki Jawani
The song “Sheila Ki Jawani” from the 2010 film Tees Maar Khan drew significant public and legal attention for its alleged vulgarity and social impact. A Public Interest Litigation (PIL) was filed by Dr. Nutan Thakur in the Lucknow bench of the Allahabad High Court, demanding a ban on the film’s release until the song was removed. The PIL named producers Twinkle Khanna, Shirish Kunder, Ronnie Screwvala, director-choreographer Farah Khan, and the Censor Board, among others. It argued that the song promoted indecency and hurt society, especially young girls and women with names like “Sheila” or “Munni,” who reportedly faced teasing and harassment. In later interviews, Farah Khan described the song as the “cheapest” of her career, revealing it was shot with only ten dancers, minimal setup, and completed in just three and a half shifts—despite its massive popularity. Watch on YouTube
7. Bhaag D.K. Bose
Upon its release, “Bhaag D.K. Bose” from the film Delhi Belly (2011) quickly drew massive public and governmental criticism for its cleverly disguised profanity and bold tone. The song’s title, when swiftly repeated, mimics a Hindi expletive, which sparked outrage over its airing on national television and in theatres—even during U-certified films—despite the movie itself being rated ‘A’ by the CBFC. The Ministry of Information and Broadcasting formally questioned the Censor Board’s decision to clear the track. The composer trio Shankar–Ehsaan–Loy publicly stated they would not create a song like this due to its vulgarity. Actor Amitabh Bachchan also condemned the lyrics, prompting producer Aamir Khan to sing the line during a press event cheekily.
Additionally, artists Jiten Thukral and Sumir Tagra approached Aamir with a copyright concern, claiming they had trademarked the phrase “BoseDK” back in 2005. Aamir acknowledged their ownership and resolved the issue amicably, stating, “BoseDK is their label. We have no claim over it at all and our song is in fact DKBose.”
8. Dhan Te Nan
The chart-topping track “Dhan Te Nan” from Kaminey (2009) didn’t just captivate listeners with its electrifying energy—it also sparked controversy for its lyrics. The Rashtriya Teli Rathore Chetna Mahasangh, along with Samajwadi Party MP Ram Narayan Sahu, raised objections to the use of the word “Teli” in the lyrics, deeming it casteist. Responding to the complaint, the film’s director, Vishal Bhardwaj, replaced the word with “Dilli” to avoid offending sentiments. Choreographer Ahmed Khan later revealed that the song’s now-iconic hook step wasn’t originally planned. Bhardwaj initially encouraged spontaneous movements, but eventually, a signature step was introduced, inspired by 1980s Bollywood action sequences featuring actors like Amitabh Bachchan and Vinod Khanna. The song not only dominated Indian charts but even found a place at the UK’s Ministry of Sound club nights, making it one of the most internationally recognized tracks of the year.
9. Aja Nachle
The title track, “Aaja Nachle,” from Madhuri Dixit’s comeback film, sparked nationwide controversy for its lyrics, which were alleged to be casteist. The line — “Mohalle mein kaisi maara-maari hai; bole mochi bhi khud ko sunaar hai” — was criticized by Dalit groups for implying that members of the Mochi (cobbler) caste were inferior to Sunaars (goldsmiths). As a result, the film was banned in Uttar Pradesh on the day of its release, followed shortly by bans in Punjab and Haryana. The backlash had a severe impact on the film’s box office performance. In response, the producers issued a written apology and replaced the controversial line with “Mere dar pe deewano ki bahaar hai” in the title song. Following the edit, the bans in all three states were lifted. However, the film was later banned in Patna on December 2, 2007. The matter was also raised in the Lok Sabha by RPI member Ramdas Athawale, though the Information and Broadcasting Minister clarified that enforcement of such bans fell under state jurisdiction. Watch on YouTube
10. Chaiyya Chaiyya
The iconic track “Chaiyya Chaiyya” from Dil Se (1998), composed by A. R. Rahman and sung by Sukhwinder Singh and Sapna Awasthi, remains one of Bollywood’s most unforgettable dance numbers. Featuring Shah Rukh Khan and Malaika Arora dancing atop a moving train, the song became a cultural sensation. Interestingly, Malaika wasn’t the original choice—several actresses, including Shilpa Shetty and Shilpa Shirodkar, declined due to the risky shoot. A crew member later suggested her and ultimately made the performance her own, earning nationwide fame. Director Mani Ratnam later revealed that Shah Rukh Khan performed the sequence without a safety harness, adding realism and thrill to the visuals. Choreographed by Farah Khan with assistance from Geeta Kapur, the song was shot in just a few days with minimal resources. However, the song wasn’t without controversy — the line “Paaon ke neeche jannat hogi” was criticized by some religious groups as being disrespectful. In response, the Censor Board muted or edited the word “jannat” in several versions to avoid backlash. Despite the challenges, Chaiyya Chaiyya continues to be celebrated as a timeless classic, and Malaika Arora has strongly stated that the song should never be recreated. Watch on YouTube
11. Choli Ke Peeche Kya Hai
When ”Choli Ke Peeche Kya Hai” was first released in 1993 as part of Subhash Ghai’s film ”Khalnayak”, it immediately sparked widespread controversy. The song, featuring Madhuri Dixit as “Ganga,” drew criticism from around 32 social and political organizations for its bold lyrics, which were seen as suggestive and inappropriate. Despite the backlash, the song became a massive hit, with the film’s audio cassettes selling over one crore copies in the first week alone—a record at the time. Critics and supporters both noted how Madhuri’s performance blended grace with assertiveness, portraying a woman who expresses desire without crossing into vulgarity. Interestingly, the protests continued even after the film’s release, with a petition filed in a Delhi court to stop its screening. However, the court ruled that the song did not violate public decency. Later, Madhuri Dixit reflected on the controversy, saying in a 2014 interview that once people watched the film, they understood the context and appreciated the choreography and its artistic presentation.
12. Jata Kahan Hai Diwane
“Jata Kahan Hai Diwane” was originally filmed for C.I.D. (1956) with Dev Anand and Waheeda Rehman. However, the entire sequence was later cut by the Censor Board. Reports suggest this was due to concerns over the word “Fiffy,” which censors interpreted as obscene, or possibly because they found the first lines suggestive. Composer O. P. Nayyar clarified that “Fiffy” was simply a nonsensical rhythmic choice. Though censored at the time, the song has since become iconic among classic Bollywood numbers. Watch on YouTube
