Playback singer Shreya Ghoshal has spoken openly about turning down songs with inappropriate lyrics throughout her career. In a recent podcast appearance, the singer explained why she said no to several popular tracks and called out the Bollywood music industry for being “very male-heavy” and “patriarchal.”
The singer, who made her Bollywood debut at age 16 with Devdas, revealed that she has rejected multiple songs over the years because of their objectionable content. She shared these details during an interview on The Male Feminist Podcast, where she was asked about her decision to stay away from songs with sleazy lyrics.
‘The Lyrics Are One Thing’
Shreya Ghoshal explained that the problem is not limited to just the words of a song. She pointed out that the composition and singing style also matter when judging whether a song is appropriate.
“The lyrics are one thing. There is also a composition and singing style. There were some popular songs which did very well, but I said no. Thankfully, now, those songs have become quite less.”
The 42-year-old singer noted that during a certain period, female singers were mostly offered only one type of song. She said that after a point, films only had sleazy songs for female singers, while male singers got other kinds of tracks.
“After a point, the songs in films became such that only those types of songs were given to female singers. The rest are male songs, and there are some romantic duets.”
Calls Industry ‘Patriarchal and Gender-Based’
Shreya Ghoshal did not hold back when discussing the root of this problem. She said the issue affects singers, actresses, and everyone working in the entertainment industry.
“So we have to see where it is stemming from. The problem is for singers and actresses and everyone who is part of this industry. It is a slightly patriarchal, gender-based thing.”
She also acknowledged that things are slowly changing because of independent music. However, she made it clear that the industry still has a long way to go.
“But still, I feel it is very male-heavy. I have spoken very strongly about it earlier, and I don’t mind if it is taken in a good way or a bad way.”
Rejected ‘Fevicol Se’ from Dabangg 2
Shreya Ghoshal also spoke about a specific song she turned down. She revealed that she refused to sing the popular track Fevicol Se from the 2012 film Dabangg 2, which featured Kareena Kapoor Khan.
The singer said the lyrics had too much objectification and made her uncomfortable.
“There was a song in that film, which had too much objectification. It was not subtle – it was like ‘Chicken bana ke khale aur yeh karke lipat le’ – I cannot say these words.”
She added that the words made her feel embarrassed and she decided to walk away from the project.
“It just makes me feel red in the face. I cannot do it. So, there were a few moments from which I folded my hands and left.”
The song Fevicol Se was later sung by Mamta Sharma and became one of the most talked-about tracks from the film.
Won’t Sing Songs Like ‘Chikni Chameli’ Today
This is not the first time Shreya Ghoshal has spoken about this topic. In a 2025 conversation with Lilly Singh, she admitted that she had sung some bold songs earlier in her career, including Chikni Chameli from Agneepath. However, she made it clear that she would not choose to sing such songs today.
“There is a very fine line between being sensual, sexy, and being outright objectified, or objectifying women in general.”
The singer explained that she has become more aware over time because she sees young children singing these songs without understanding what they mean.
“The reason I’ve become more conscious over time is that I see little girls singing these songs without understanding their meaning. They’re just dancing to them, and they come to me saying, ‘Oh, we love your song! Can we sing it for you?’ and I feel very embarrassed. A little girl, just five or six years old, singing those lyrics, it doesn’t sound right.”
Related:
Not Ashamed of Her Past Work
After facing some online criticism for speaking against objectification while still performing Chikni Chameli at concerts, Shreya Ghoshal clarified her position.
She said she is not ashamed of having recorded the song but is now more careful about what she chooses to sing.
“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. 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.”
She also stated that she still performs the song at shows but would not record similar tracks in the future.
“Yes, I did perform it. I like that song. I think it’s good. But I won’t record songs like that anymore. I’m not embarrassed. I sang that song at that time. It’s one song I will always have to live with.”
Shreya Ghoshal has won five National Film Awards and has sung in multiple Indian languages including Hindi, Bengali, Tamil, Telugu, Kannada, and Malayalam. Some of her most popular songs include Ye Ishq Hai (Jab We Met), Manwa Laage (Happy New Year), Sunn Raha Hai (Aashiqui 2), and Deewani Mastani (Bajirao Mastani).
Also Read: Vaaroon Forever: Shreya Ghoshal and Romy Recreate Cult Track for Mirzapur: The Movie
Stay updated with the latest entertainment news and exclusive stories from the world of music and cinema only on VvipTimes.
Leave a Reply