Singer Sona Mohapatra on Wednesday criticised rapper Badshah for what she described as the use of misogynistic tropes in his latest song Tateeree, which has sparked widespread controversy over its lyrics and visuals.
Badshah, whose real name is Aditya Prateek Singh, landed in trouble after the Haryanvi track was released on March 1. The song quickly drew heavy backlash online, with critics calling out its obscene lyrics and objectionable visuals. The controversy escalated to the point where a police complaint was filed and the rapper was later summoned by a state commission.
Following the public outrage, the rapper issued an apology and removed the song from his social media platforms. Mohapatra later took to Instagram to criticise the artist, accusing him of repeatedly objectifying women in his music.
“Not the first time we've seen this template. A man puffing up his chest, flexing masculinity, objectifying women, and projecting himself as some irresistible hero while women exist merely to drool around him. ‘Tu mujhpe marti hai, mujhpe jaan chidakti hai’ type of flights of rubbish swag… This isn't creativity. It's the laziest trope in pop culture,” she wrote in her post.
Referring to Badshah’s apology video, where he described himself as the ‘son of Haryana’, Mohapatra said such a defence was not convincing. “Haryana already battles some of the country's worst gender ratios, violence against women and honour killings. Cultural influence carries responsibility? Artists shape imagination. You can challenge misogyny or profit from it. Badshah and this lot — do better,” she added.
Meanwhile, the Haryana Police last week registered an FIR against the rapper after receiving a complaint from a resident of Panchkula. The complaint alleged that the recently released music video contained objectionable lyrics and visuals.
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The case was registered under Sections 3 and 4 of the Indecent Representation of Women (Prohibition) Act, 1986 along with Section 296 (obscene acts and songs) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita.
After the FIR was filed, the 40-year-old singer—known for popular tracks such as Abhi Toh Party Shuru Hui Hai and Genda Phool—shared a video message on Instagram apologising for the song.
“My new song has released and I am seeing that the lyrics and the visual representation has caused a lot of people, especially from Haryana, a lot of hurt. Firstly, I want to say that I am from Haryana. Those who know me will vouch for the fact that my entire identity rests on it. I am a proud Haryanvi,” he said.
Badshah added that he has always intended to celebrate and promote the culture of Haryana and never meant to offend anyone through the track.
“I never had the intention or the aim to speak of any women or children of Haryana in this manner. I am from the hip-hop genre so the lyrics are often added to show the competition down, for the competitor. This was never meant for the women or the kids,” he said.
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