Even in an industry where playback singers are often expected to slip seamlessly into every kind of soundtrack demand, Shreya Ghoshal has reminded everyone that creative choices can come with clear personal boundaries. On March 16, 2026, the National Award winning singer spoke candidly about a moment from 2012 that she says still stays with her, turning down a high profile song offer from the film Dabangg 2 because the lyrics made her uncomfortable.
It is a rare behind the scenes admission from one of Indian music’s most consistent hitmakers, and it instantly reignited a long running conversation around the language of “item songs” in mainstream Hindi cinema.
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In a conversation with entrepreneur and podcast host Raj Shamani, Shreya revealed that she refused to record the massively popular Dabangg 2 item number Fevicol Se because she felt it leaned into overt objectification.
Recalling her reaction to the lyrics, she said, “There was a song in that film, which had too much objectification. It was not subtle, it was like ‘chicken bana ke khale aur yeh karke lipat le’ I cannot say these words. It just makes me feel red on the face. I cannot do it. So, there were a few moments from which I folded my hands and left”.
The song eventually featured Kareena Kapoor Khan in a special appearance and went on to become one of the film’s most recognisable chartbusters. The track was sung by Mamta Sharma and Wajid, with music by Sajid Wajid.
Shreya’s comment lands at a time when artists across films and independent music are increasingly speaking about consent, representation, and the kind of messaging they want to attach their voice to, even when the final on screen framing is “commercial entertainment”.
A Quick Note On Dabangg 2 And Fevicol Se
Released in 2012, Dabangg 2 was directed by Arbaaz Khan and headlined by Salman Khan and Sonakshi Sinha. The Fevicol Se sequence, featuring Kareena Kapoor Khan, was designed as a high energy mass moment, and it became one of the soundtrack’s biggest talking points for its punchy hook and unabashed lyricism.
Shreya Ghoshal’s Recent And Upcoming Work
In recent years, Shreya has continued to balance high visibility film music with large scale live performances across markets. On the touring front, she announced The Unstoppable Tour, a multi city world tour that was scheduled to kick off in April 2026, with dates spanning multiple regions and an India leg also planned.
Beyond concerts, Shreya has remained a sought after voice for film soundtracks across languages, while also collaborating on non film projects and live music initiatives that keep her presence strong outside the traditional Bollywood release cycle.
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