Shreya Ghoshal Chikni Chameli song: Playback singer Shreya Ghoshal has addressed the criticism she faced over performing the popular Bollywood track Chikni Chameli. She clarified that she is not embarrassed about the song despite the trolling that followed her recent comments on lyrical objectification.
In a candid conversation with entrepreneur and podcast host Raj Shamani, the singer spoke about why she has become more selective about the songs she records today.
Reflecting on Chikni Chameli
Although Chikni Chameli, featuring Katrina Kaif, became a massive chartbuster, Shreya admitted that it also pushed her to think more deeply about the lyrics she performs.
“That song is not just a fun number; there’s a lot of artistry in it. There were toned-down versions too. The one that finally appeared in the film was more subtle than the original drafts, though still suggestive,” she explained.
Looking back, the singer said she didn’t always fully understand the implications of certain lyrics during that phase of her career. “At that time, I didn’t always understand what I was singing. I wasn’t mature enough to fully grasp the meaning of certain lines.”
Shreya Ghoshal opens up about song choices
Ghoshal revealed that after the success of Chikni Chameli from the 2012 film Agneepath, she was approached with several songs that contained overtly suggestive lyrics. While she respected the musicians who offered those tracks, she admitted that some lines made her uncomfortable.
Recalling one such experience, she said, “There was one film in particular. The composer is a dear friend of mine and a very musical person. He offered it to me very lovingly. But the song had too much objectification. It wasn’t even subtle, lines like ‘make me into chicken and eat me’ or ‘hold me like this.’ Just thinking about those words makes my face turn red. I couldn’t say them. I said no.”
The singer added that these situations weren’t isolated. “There have been a few such moments,” she said, explaining that she chose to politely decline and “folded her hands and walked away.”