Nora Fatehi has found herself at the center of a heated debate after her song “Sarke Chunar Teri Sarke” drew criticism for its perceived vulgar lyrics. The track, part of the film KD – The Devil, was subsequently removed following public backlash. While Sanjay Dutt also features in the song, much of the ire has been directed towards Nora. In response to the uproar, she clarified that the song was shot in Kannada, and she did not fully grasp its meaning, nor was she aware of the Hindi version.
In the wake of the controversy, a journalist highlighted Nora’s previous remarks distancing herself from feminism while pointing out that modern feminists are currently rallying in her defense amid the backlash. The journalist’s note read, “Dear Nora, I hope you can see that despite the shots you’ve taken at feminism in the past, right now the only people even attempting to shift the conversation towards consent, authorship, and systemic accountability are the same modern feminists who have apparently completely messed up society.”
Nora responded in the comments to clarify her views on feminism, emphasizing that her earlier comments had been misinterpreted. She stated, “Don’t feel bad for me. I’m not going anywhere, nor am I seeking your sympathy. If you are genuinely ‘feminists,’ use this as a chance to show me and others what ‘real feminism’ is. Because if it’s what I’ve seen online lately, where many of you seize the chance to criticize, insult, and mock me, then it is you who misunderstand the true essence of feminism.”
Nora further elaborated that she never intended to express opposition to feminism. “You focused on one sentence I said, which I quickly clarified with multiple follow-up statements. Yes, I mentioned that feminism has complicated our society, but that was merely my way of expressing a viewpoint that can sometimes be intense. I’ve always supported the foundational tenets of feminism—women’s rights. My concern has always been with radical feminism, the extreme version that, in my view, has fueled hyper-independence and strained male-female relationships. Could I have articulated this better? Absolutely. Should I be able to discuss women’s issues today without facing attacks from self-proclaimed feminists? I believe so. This part seems to be overlooked because it doesn’t align with your ‘I hate Nora’ narrative.”
She concluded with, “You may claim I built my career through the male gaze, but I take pride in how I’ve achieved my success. I’ve done it honorably and with dignity, reaching milestones that many only dream about. I’ve represented India on global platforms and always spoken about the South Asian community with love and respect. I enjoy the support of women, children, and men who truly appreciate my work and my art while respecting women throughout my journey.”