‘Khaali Peeli’ director Maqbool Khan on ‘Beyonce Sharma Jayegi’ controversy: It was never our intention to degrade or be racist

‘Khaali Peeli’ landed into controversy when its first song ‘Beyonce Sharma Jayegi’ released. Many pointed out the word ‘goriya’ from the line “Bhadkeeli, nakhreeli, chamkeeli, lachkeeli, Tu jo kamar yeh hilayegi, Tujhe dekh ke goriya, Beyoncé sharma jayegi”, claiming that it made an impression of comparing a girl with fair skin to a dark-skinned Beyonce Knowles. Later, the makers tweaked the song to ‘Duniya Sharma Jayegi’.

In an exclusive chat with Bollywood Bubble, director Maqbool Khan opened up on the backlash the makers received for the song. He said, “I’m too new and have never ever subjected to anything like this. Firstly we all come from a middle-class background and it was never our intention to create anything like this sort where people will react like this. We never thought of it. It just happened out of context. When we realised, we changed it also. It was never our intention to degrade or say something low or be racist. ‘Goriye’ was to refer the girl and we have put that word in so many films earlier also.”

Ishaan Khatter and Ananya Panday starrer would have released on theatres on June 12 but now it is set to premiere on Zee Plex and ZEE5 on October 2. Talking about following the direct-to-digital route, Maqbool said, “We made this film for theatres but unfortunately pandemic happened and things changed drastically not only for the film industry but for the entire world. So, we waited for almost four months but there is a certain limit and it becomes difficult for makers, financers and producers to hold on a movie for so long. This is the best thing that could happen to makers who had completed their film and waiting to release.”

https://www.instagram.com/p/CFgwQa7pGp3/

‘Khaali Peeli’ is the result of Maqbool’s 30 years of experience in Mumbai and he is expecting that audience will accept the movie as it is a family entertainer.

Also Read: ‘Khaali Peeli’ director Maqbool Khan heaps praises for Ananya Panday and Ishaan Khatter