‘KD: The Devil’ Director Prem Breaks Silence on ‘Sarke Chunar’ Row, Says Country Has Bigger Issues To Focus on Right Now

Director Prem has officially addressed the mounting backlash surrounding the song "Sarke Chunar Teri Sarke" from his upcoming pan-India film, KD: The Devil. The track, featuring Sanjay Dutt and Nora Fatehi, recently sparked a wave of criticism over its Hindi lyrics and choreography, leading to its removal from streaming platforms and a summons from the National Commission for Women. Amid ‘Sarke Chunar Teri Sarke’ Row, Lyricist Raqueeb Alam Recalls Warning ‘KD: The Devil’ Director Prem.

In a recent interview with  Hindustan Times, the filmmaker clarified that the issue was a result of a translation gap rather than a deliberate attempt to court controversy.

‘KD: The Devil’ Director Prem on What Went Wrong With ‘Sarke Chunar’

While Prem penned the original Kannada lyrics, he admitted that the nuances of the Hindi version, translated by lyricist Raqueeb Alam, were lost on him. He emphasised that as a filmmaker from a rural background, he was unaware of the specific connotations that the Hindi words would carry.

"I didn’t understand the Hindi words used in translation, as I am not fluent in the language," Prem stated. "I come from a village where phrases like 'neeche mat gira, uthao' (don't drop it, pick it up) are part of everyday speech, it’s Janapada (folk)."

The director also dismissed allegations that the row was a calculated publicity stunt. "I don't want any controversy. Mine is an emotional film... Why would I want controversy?" he asked, noting that the song had been well-received in its Kannada and Malayalam versions.

Prem Issues Apology as ‘Sarke Chunar’ Lyrics Face Revision

In response to the public outcry and legal scrutiny, Prem offered an apology to those offended and confirmed that the production team is actively working to fix the song. The contentious lines have been changed, and the updated version is set to be submitted to the Censor Board for approval.

"If anyone is hurt, I am very sorry. Our big film faced a small lyrics issue, but it has been blown out of proportion," Prem said. He expressed surprise at the scale of the outrage, suggesting that public attention might be better spent elsewhere. "There are so many larger problems in the world, war hai, LPG gas ki problem hai toh kyun ek gaane pe itni badi controversy kar di? (There is war, there is an LPG gas problem, so why make such a big controversy over one song?)"

More About the ‘Sarke Chunar’ Controversy

The "Sarke Chunar" row intensified quickly after its release, with critics labelling the lyrics and picturization as objectionable. The situation escalated when reports surfaced of a fatwa being issued against Nora Fatehi, who subsequently distanced herself from the track, claiming she had not authorised the use of her image in the Hindi version. ‘Sarke Chunar Teri Sarke’ Row: Fatwa Issued Against Nora Fatehi Over Controversial Song From Upcoming Kannada Film ’KD - The Devil'.

More About ‘KD: The Devil’

KD: The Devil is one of the most anticipated high-budget projects emerging from the Kannada film industry in 2026. Set against a 1970s backdrop, the film features an ensemble cast including Dhruva Sarja, V Ravichandran, Sanjay Dutt, and Shilpa Shetty, marking the latter's return to the Kannada screen after several years.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Mar 25, 2026 12:17 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).