Mumbai: Nora Fatehi has revisited the controversy surrounding Sarke Chunar Teri Sarke, claiming that some influencers were allegedly paid to amplify criticism against her following the song’s backlash. The actor-dancer said she was familiar with what she described as a coordinated “script” being followed by people discussing the controversy online.
Speaking on the Dream with Dr Sheen podcast, Nora said she was not surprised by the reaction and had developed a “thick skin” after years of dealing with public scrutiny. She alleged that those targeting her had been hired and claimed she knew who was behind the criticism.
Nora’s comments come months after Sarke Chunar Teri Sarke, the Hindi version associated with the Kannada film KD: The Devil, faced strong criticism over its lyrics and visuals. The controversy escalated online, prompting Nora to publicly distance herself from the Hindi version and state that she had neither performed it nor approved its lyrics.
Nora says she knew who allegedly hired influencers
During the podcast conversation, Nora directly addressed the influencers who criticised her over the song. She claimed that several people appeared to be following the same narrative and suggested that the criticism was not entirely organic.
Nora said she already knew who had allegedly hired the influencers, when they were hired and how much they were paid. She described the controversy as an opportunity that had been used by whoever was behind the alleged campaign.
The actor did not publicly identify any specific individual or organisation as the alleged source of such payments in the remarks reported from the podcast. Her comments therefore remain allegations and have not independently established that influencers were in fact paid as claimed.
Nora also said she was mentally prepared for criticism because of the nature of the controversy and the discussions surrounding feminism, body image and the song’s visuals.
She says backlash did not make her panic
Nora recalled that she was shooting for three days when the controversy surrounding the song erupted. She said she initially did not know how widely the issue had spread and only became aware of the scale of the reaction later.
Rather than panicking, she said she decided to address the issue after seeing multiple narratives circulating online that she believed were inaccurate. Nora explained that she feared her silence could be misunderstood, prompting her to release a video clarifying her position.
The actor said she had tried to provide details about her involvement with the song and explain that she had not shot the controversial Hindi version. However, according to her, some people continued to accuse her of lying even after she issued the clarification.
Nora maintains she did not approve the Hindi version
A central part of Nora’s defence has been her claim that she originally shot the song in Kannada around three years ago.
According to her earlier explanation, she agreed to perform the Kannada song because it was part of a major film and featured Sanjay Dutt. Since she does not understand Kannada, she said she relied on the explanations given to her by the team regarding the song’s content.
Nora has maintained that the Hindi adaptation was subsequently created without seeking her permission or approval. She said she had no knowledge of the Hindi lyrics and did not perform for that version.
She also said she became uncomfortable after seeing material associated with the song at its launch, particularly what she described as unflattering images and an AI-generated image featuring herself and Sanjay Dutt.
Her earlier public statement was aimed at making it clear that she did not endorse the controversial version and did not want audiences to associate her with the lyrics that had triggered the backlash.
Sarke Chunar Teri Sarke faced backlash over lyrics
The controversy around Sarke Chunar Teri Sarke began after the song attracted widespread criticism over its lyrics and visual presentation.
The track, sung by Mangli, features lyrics by Raqeeb Alam and music composed by Arjun Janya. It is associated with KD: The Devil, directed by Prem and starring Dhruva Sarja, Sanjay Dutt, Shilpa Shetty and other actors.
The song became a major talking point on social media, with critics objecting to what they described as vulgar and sexually suggestive lyrics. Concerns were also raised about the visual treatment and the accessibility of the content online.
The backlash eventually resulted in the controversial material being taken down. Nora herself urged people not to continue sharing the song, arguing that repeated circulation would only give it more visibility.
Legal complaints added to the controversy
The controversy also moved beyond social media, with complaints reportedly being filed over the song’s lyrics and visuals.
One complaint alleged that the song contained vulgar, sexually suggestive and obscene expressions. It also raised concerns about the accessibility of such content to minors through online platforms. The complaint named individuals associated with the song, including lyricist Raqeeb Alam, director Prem, composer Arjun Janya and singer Mangli.
The complaint reportedly referred to provisions under the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences Act and the Information Technology Act. A separate complaint was also reported to have been filed with the Delhi Police Cyber Cell.
These allegations and legal references are part of the controversy surrounding the song and should not be treated as findings of guilt against the people named.
Nora says she was not defending the controversial content
While defending herself against the criticism, Nora has also clarified that she was not supporting the content that triggered the backlash.
She acknowledged that songs of this nature are produced regularly in the entertainment industry but stressed that this should not be interpreted as an endorsement of the controversial material.
Her primary argument has been that she should not be held responsible for lyrics she says she did not approve, perform or know about. She has repeatedly maintained that the Hindi version was created without her consent and that she only became aware of the issue after the controversy had already begun.
The distinction is important because much of the online debate initially focused on Nora’s appearance in material associated with the song, while her subsequent statements sought to separate her involvement in the original Kannada recording from the disputed Hindi adaptation.
Why Nora is speaking about the controversy again
Nora’s latest comments have brought the old controversy back into the spotlight. Her allegation that influencers were allegedly paid to push a particular narrative adds a new dimension to an issue that had previously centred mainly on the song’s lyrics, visuals and her involvement.
However, Nora has not publicly provided evidence in the reported podcast remarks to substantiate the alleged payments. The claims should therefore be understood as her account of what she believes happened rather than as an independently verified finding.
Her comments also reflect the increasingly influential role of social media personalities in entertainment controversies. When a song, film or celebrity becomes a trending topic, reactions from influencers can significantly shape public perception within a short period.
Sarke Chunar controversy continues to follow Nora
Although the controversy began with a song, it quickly expanded into discussions about consent, celebrity image rights, online criticism and the responsibility of filmmakers and music teams when adapting existing material.
For Nora, the issue has been particularly significant because she has argued that her image was used alongside a Hindi version of a song without her approval. Her latest remarks indicate that she remains unhappy with the way the controversy unfolded and with the criticism she received afterwards.
The actor has also suggested that the episode has made her and her team more cautious about future projects and the way her image and performances are used.
Conclusion
Nora Fatehi has once again addressed the Sarke Chunar Teri Sarke controversy, this time making serious allegations about influencers who she claims were allegedly paid to criticise her. She has said that she knew who allegedly hired them and described the online reaction as an opportunity exploited by people behind the controversy.
At the same time, Nora continues to maintain that she did not approve or perform the controversial Hindi version of the song. The song had faced significant criticism over its lyrics and visuals before the disputed material was removed.
Her latest allegations have not been independently established, but they have reignited discussion around the controversy and the increasingly powerful role of online influencers in shaping public opinion about celebrities and entertainment releases.