Saregama to change Leone song lyrics after ‘remove video or face action’ warning

Bollywood star Sunny Leone is in the news again, along with Madhya Pradesh home minister Narottam Mishra.

Mishra saw red over the actress’ latest music video – in which she gyrates to Madhuban Mein Radhika Naache – warning of action unless the song was pulled down from social media platforms in three days.

In response, music label Saregama said on Sunday that the company will change the lyrics. “In light of the recent feedback and respecting the sentiments of our fellow countrymen, we will be changing the lyrics and the name of the song Madhuban. The new song will replace the old one across all platforms over the next three days,” it said, as reported by PTI.

Since the song talks of love between Lord Krishna and his consort Radha, Mishra had warned of action against the actress and composer Saqib Toshi. He also demanded an apology from Leone and threatened her with an FIR.

“Some people continuously hurt Hindu sentiments. There are temples for Radha in India, we pray for her. Saqib Toshi can make songs concerning his religion, but such songs offend us. I will take legal advice and action will be taken against them (Toshi and Leone) if the video is not taken down in three days,” Mishra was earlier quoted as saying in media reports.

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Some viewers of the video have also criticised the song for “hurting Hindu sentiments” due to the “sensual” dance moves shown in it, while Mathura-based priests also raised objections recently.

“We will go to court if the government does not act against the actress and ban her video album,” Sant Naval Giri Maharaj from UP’s Vrindavan was quoted as saying by PTI, and he too demanded a public apology from Leone. Others have called the dance moves in the video ‘obscene’.

The latest Madhuban song, crooned by Kanika Kapoor and Arindam Chakraborty and released by Saregama Music on Wednesday, was originally sung by Mohammed Rafi for the 1960 film Kohinoor.