"Munni Badnaam Hui" (lit.'Munni was defamed') is a song from the 2010 Bollywood film Dabangg featuring Malaika Arora Khan along with Sonu Sood and Salman Khan. The song is sung by Mamta Sharma and Aishwarya Nigam, with music by Lalit Pandit.[1] Mamta Sharma won the Filmfare Award for Best Female Playback Singer for this song, while Sajid-Wajid and Lalit Pandit won the Filmfare Award for Best Music Director in the 56th Filmfare Awards 2011.[2]

"Munni Badnaam Hui"
Song by Mamta Sharma and Aishwarya Nigam
from the album Dabangg
LanguageHindi
Released20 August 2010 (2010-08-20)
Recorded2010
Genre
Length5:07
LabelT-Series
Composer(s)Lalit Pandit
Producer(s)
External videos
video icon "Munni badnaam Hui" feat. Malaika Arora on YouTube

Due to its popularity, Malaika (and the song itself) was frequently compared to actress Katrina Kaif and her item number "Sheila Ki Jawani" from the film Tees Maar Khan (2010).

Influence edit

The track is said to be inspired by an old Bhojpuri folk song "Launda Badnaam Hua Naseeban Tere Liye". It was also alleged that it was inspired from the Pakistani song "Ladka Badnaam Hua" from the film Mr. Charlie (1992).[3] Director Abhinav Kashyap denied the latter and accepted using the folk song saying that he, being from Uttar Pradesh, was familiar with the song since childhood so he suggested the very song to be improvised and rephrased to fit the film's requirement.[4]

Music video edit

Filming edit

Synopsis edit

Reception edit

The reception by the public and critics was generally positive. Devesh Sharma of Filmfare noted the song's raunchy nature and praised it for its tempo, at the same time criticizing its "nonsensical" lyrics.[5] Atta Khan of Planet Bollywood said "... expect it to explode with Mallaika's entrance on the big screen and chances are, after watching that you may enjoy it..."[6]

"Munni Badnaam Hui" was referred to in many political situations, to varying effects. In October 2010, the Chief Minister of Gujarat Narendra Modi played a pun on the song to criticize his opposition party, the Indian National Congress.[7] It was one of many other popular terms used to criticize the 2010 Commonwealth Games and its organization.[8]

Munni vs. Sheila edit

After the song "Sheila Ki Jawani" featuring Katrina Kaif was released, parallels were drawn between Katrina and Malaika, as well as between the item numbers, in what was popularly known as the "Munni vs Sheila" debate.[8][9][10] Subsequently, newspapers reported increased rivalry between the two actors, which was supposedly highlighted by various incidents. The two were invited to perform their respective numbers at parties and other occasions, adding to the rivalry.[11][12]

Controversies edit

Lawsuit by Emami edit

The popular product by Emami, a pain relieving balm called Zandu Balm is referred to at various times in the song. Emami filed a lawsuit against Arbaaz Khan, the producer of the movie for trademark misuse, but subsequently reached an out of court settlement with the producer. Emami then utilized the popularity of the song to advertise the Zandu Balm brand by signing up Malaika to do commercials.[13][14]

Public Interest Litigations seeking ban edit

In December 2010, a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) was filed in the Lucknow bench of the Allahabad High Court, with the petitioner asking for a ban of the song, claiming it was "indecent" and "immoral".[15] Another person also filed a lawsuit in a Sessions court in Mumbai objecting to the use of the word "Hindustan" in the lyrics of the song. The film got a U/A rating from the Censor board of India and was released without any cuts in the song, but the word "Hindustan" in the song was changed to "Policeistan" to avoid any further controversy.[16]

Accolades edit

Award Category Recipient(s) and nominee(s) Result Ref.
3rd Mirchi Music Awards Song of The Year - Won [17][18]
Female Vocalist of The Year Mamta Sharma and Aishwarya Won
Music Composer of The Year Lalit Pandit Nominated
Upcoming Female Vocalist of The Year Mamta Sharma Won
Best Item Song of the Year - Won
Best Song Recording Abani Tanti Nominated

Sequel edit

In the movie Dabangg 2, "Munni Badnaam Hui" has a sequel — "Pandeyjee Seeti Mare" — featuring Malaika Arora with the heroine of the film Sonakshi Sinha. There is another item song named "Fevicol Se" featuring Kareena Kapoor Khan.[citation needed]

In the film Dabangg 3, Sajid-Wajid recreated the song, titled Munna Badnaam Hua which featured Warina Hussain and Salman Khan. The song included a rap by Badshah and is also sung by Mamta Sharma and Kamaal Khan.[citation needed]

References edit

  1. ^ Ganguly, Prithwish (29 January 2011). "Dabangg sweeps Mirchi Awards". The Times of India. Archived from the original on 4 January 2014. Retrieved 12 January 2012.
  2. ^ "56th Filmfare Awards 2011 winners list". Bollywood World. Archived from the original on 22 January 2012. Retrieved 12 January 2012.
  3. ^ Dasgupta, Priyanka (11 October 2010). "Dabangg: Shame! Shame!". The Times of India. Archived from the original on 3 March 2018. Retrieved 11 October 2010.
  4. ^ Kamra, Diksha (16 September 2010). "Folk inspiration for Munni Badnaam". The Times of India. Archived from the original on 10 December 2014. Retrieved 16 September 2010.
  5. ^ Sharma, Devesh (21 August 2010). "Dabangg". Filmfare. Retrieved 12 January 2012.
  6. ^ Khan, Atta. "Review". Planet Bollywood. Retrieved 12 January 2012.
  7. ^ Joshi, Harish (18 October 2011). "Cong paid heavy price for using CBI, says Modi". The Times of India. Archived from the original on 8 July 2012. Retrieved 12 January 2012.
  8. ^ a b "Jokes in the time of a floundering Games". Sify Sports. 25 September 2010. Archived from the original on 1 October 2010. Retrieved 12 January 2012.
  9. ^ Nagpaul-D'Souza, Dipti (26 December 2010). "Munni vs Sheila: The way of the 'Item Bomb'". Indian Express. Retrieved 22 December 2011.
  10. ^ Wangoo, Anupama (26 December 2011). "Sheila steals Munni's thunder". The Times of India. Archived from the original on 1 July 2012. Retrieved 22 December 2011.
  11. ^ Kapoor, Reena (16 July 2011). "An end to this 'Kat' fight". The Asian Age. Retrieved 12 January 2012.
  12. ^ "Munni-Sheila battle heats up". Mid-Day. 4 December 2010. Archived from the original on 6 December 2010. Retrieved 12 January 2012.
  13. ^ Himatsingka, Anuradha (24 September 2010). "New Zandu Balm ad to encash popularity of Dabangg's song Munni badnaam". The Economic Times. Retrieved 12 January 2012.
  14. ^ "Emami signs up Malaika 'Munni' Arora to endorse Zandu Balm". The Economic Times. 14 December 2010. Retrieved 12 January 2012.
  15. ^ "PIL demands ban on Munni Badnaam Hui and Sheila Ki Jawani". Deccan Herald. 23 December 2010. Retrieved 21 December 2011.
  16. ^ Bhattacharya, Roshmila (10 September 2010). "'There was nothing derogatory in Munni...'". Hindustan Times. Archived from the original on 25 January 2013. Retrieved 12 January 2012.
  17. ^ "Nominees - Mirchi Music Award Hindi 2010". 30 January 2011. Archived from the original on 30 January 2011. Retrieved 30 September 2018.
  18. ^ "Winners - Mirchi Music Award Hindi 2010".

External links edit