‘Will you make fun of your father this way?’ Sonu Nigam on Rafi’s ‘insult’ in ADHM

Karan Johar’s Ae Dil Hai Mushkil continues to get itself embroiled in one controversy after another. After a long battle with a local political party in Mumbai over the presence of Pakistani artistes in the film, the movie was released on Friday without any ado.

But the troubles for Johar aren’t over yet. The film has now been accused of hurting the sentiments of fans of the late Mohammed Rafi through a dialogue that allegedly insults the legendary singer. In one of the scenes, Anushka Sharma's character says to Ranbir Kapoor, “Mohammad Rafi? Woh gaate kam, rote zyada the na? [Didn't he sing less and cry more?]”

This was enough to create an uproar on social media, and there have been innumerable messages over the past four days slamming Johar for ‘insulting’ the legend, whose fans number in the millions even today, nearly four decades after his death.

The dialogue also did not sit well with people from the singing fraternity. Veteran singer Mohammed Aziz slammed Johar in a five-and-a-half-minute video he shared on his Facebook page. He also vowed not to watch Johar’s films in the future. 

Now, singer Sonu Nigam too has condemned the filmmaker. In an interview, Nigam said, “If you are okay with such jokes on your father, then it’s fine. If someone says such a thing for your father who is a big achiever, will you still be okay with it in the name of art?” 

The late singer’s son, Shahid Rafi, was also hurt by the turn of things. Talking to a website, he said, “This is so insulting. I am ashamed of Karan Johar. I didn’t expect this from him at all. My dad has sung songs for Karan’s father and this is what he has done now. I haven’t seen the film yet. Whoever has written this dialogue is an idiot. He doesn’t know who Rafi saheb was. He was the most versatile singer. How can he write such crap about a legendary singer?”

Shahid Rafi demanded a written apology from Johar. “The damage has been done. So many people have watched the film. I don’t think he is even going to edit that part. All I expect from Karan is an apology letter.” 

So far, there hasn’t been any reaction either from Johar or anyone associated with Ae Dil Hai Mushkil. 

Sonu Nigam's reaction:

Mohammed Aziz's reaction: