Spelling of Beyonce changed in ‘Beyonse Sharma Jayegi’ post racism backlash

Instead of changing the lyrics, makers have changed Beyonce's spelling in the song to avoid legal trouble

Ishaan Khatter and Ananya Panday's upcoming flick Khaali Peeli recently landed in hot waters for its controversial track Beyonce Sharma Jayegi which has now been renamed to avoid legal trouble, reported Pinkvilla.

Users called out the song for its racist tones as it compared pop icon Beyonce to the fair complexioned Ananya. Social media slammed the makers for glorifying racism at a time when the Black Lives Matter movement was finally changing centuries of embedded racism around the world.

In response, director Maqbool Khan clarified that the use of the word 'goriya' was not intentional, and instead of changing the lyrics, the makers have now changed the spelling of Beyonce to avoid legal trouble.

Earlier titled Beyonce Sharma Jayegi the song is now called, Beyonse Sharma Jayegi. Don't believe us? See for yourself!

In his statement, addressing the uproar over the song, Maqbool had said, "First, without any hesitation or excuses we want to apologise to anyone offended. We assure you that the lyric in question was never intended racially. In fact, the term 'goriya' has been so often and traditionally used in Indian songs to address a girl. So it didn't occur to any of us to interpret it in a literal manner."

He added, "The comparison with Beyonce is simply meant to be a street-smart guy flattering a girl who he is trying to impress, that her dancing/performance is worth comparing to even Beyonce who we all see as the final word, the epitome of talent, beauty, performance, style and attitude. We are all huge fans, and there was never any question of disrespect."

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