Court Bans Chammak Challo As Derogatory!
Vishal Dadlani Who Wrote The Chammak Challo Song For Shah RukhReacts, Poet-Lyricist Manoj Muntashir Joins Him
Vishal Dadlani: “No one should harass anyone andI hope the lady who has been troubles is all right and that she follows through with prosecuting this chap.Well, in the case of our song in Ra-One, it was a husband, singing to his wife. She was dancing with him, and also sang along. Where mutual, consensual, and within a relationship, surely a little playful teasing is permitted? Although given our current political scenario, perhaps I should apologise now, before some lunatic files an FIR. I’m deeply sorry if anyone was offended in 2011, and waited this long to realise it.”
Lyricist Manoj Muntashir who has written some of the most aesthetic lines in recent times feels there is nothing wrong with calling a woman ‘chammak challo’.
“To my understanding, there’s nothing offensive about calling a women Chhammak Chhallo. It’s a harmlessly mischievous way to praise a women’s looks. I have not met one girl in my life who feels demeaned about being called Chhammak Chhallo,” opines Muntashir.
He feels , more than the words, it’s the intention behind them that makes all the difference. “Offence lies in the undertone and the way they are being said. If spoken with a certain disgrace, a neutral world like ‘jawani’ sounds uncomfortable. Besides, if ‘Chhammak Chhallo’ is indecent, what about ‘Katto Gilahri’..’Patakha’ and ‘Sexy’…??? Are these going to be next in the line of ban…???”
Muntashir feels we are become a nation of protesters. “ Can we please stop being offended by anything and everything??? We are a nation where beauty and looks have been celebrated since ancient times. Millions of pages have been written to acknowledge female charm and most of them are a part of our esteemed literature. Can we ban ‘Padmawat’ where the killer looks of Rani Padmavati have been described in a very graphical fashion.??? Every period has its own idioms and phrases. Chhammak Chhallo is today’s language. All said and done, I respect the court of law and accept their Verdict with utmost faith in the judiciary.”
Writer Juhi Trivedi who penned some of the most progressive screenplays in recent times including Vicky Donor and Piku says, “Yes Chamak challo can be offensive, depending on the context. So it’s important that people understand the subtle nuances of language…the use and misuse of the words. I accept and respect the court’s decision… however, if any person wishes to disrespect another, he will find some other word…language is a big ocean. Even if everyone is educated…no one will express in literary jargon in day today conversations…colloquial words and slangswill always be a part of our spoken language. Having said that, in an ideal society, no one should talk to each other in a derogatory manner… be it to a woman or a man. Sab achchi bhaasha ka prayog karien. Gandhiji ke teen bandar.”
