The recent controversy surrounding Badshah’s new song “Tateeree” (also referred to as ‘Tatiri’ or ‘टटीरी’) has been trending due to allegations of obscene lyrics and inappropriate visuals, leading to legal action, public backlash, and a debate about artistic responsibility in the hip-hop genre .
Here is the complete timeline and breakdown of why the song is making headlines:
Song Release and Initial Backlash
The Haryanvi song “Tateeree,” featuring vocals by Simran Jaglan alongside Badshah, was released on March 1, 2026 . Almost immediately, it sparked massive outrage on social media. Critics and the public accused the track of having vulgar, double-meaning lyrics and objectifying women .
The Core of the Controversy
The controversy stems from two main issues: the lyrics and the music video.
- Objectionable Lyrics: A specific line from the song, “Aaya Badshah doli chadhaane, in sabki ghodi banaane,” was widely condemned for being suggestive and disrespectful toward women .
- Inappropriate Visuals: The music video featured visuals of young girls in school uniforms dancing and throwing their school bags on a Haryana Roadways bus. This was perceived as the inappropriate representation of minors, which intensified the backlash significantly .
Legal Action and Government Response
The public outcry quickly triggered formal legal proceedings:
- Haryana Women’s Commission Summons: The Haryana State Commission for Women took suo motu cognisance of the complaints. Chairperson Renu Bhatia issued a summons to Badshah, ordering him to appear in person on March 13, 2026, to record his statement .
- Police Complaint and Lookout Notice: A formal complaint was filed at the Cyber Crime Police Station in Panchkula, Haryana, by Abhay Chaudhary . Following this, authorities issued a lookout notice against the rapper .
- Failure to Appear: On March 13, Badshah did not appear before the commission. His legal team cited prior professional commitments and requested a video conferencing appearance, citing security concerns. The commission rejected this request, expressing strong displeasure and issuing a final ultimaton for him to appear by 3:00 PM that day or face “severe legal consequences” .
Public and Celebrity Reactions
The incident has divided opinions, with prominent figures weighing in on both sides.
Support for Badshah:
- Fellow hip-hop artist Santy Sharma defended Badshah on Instagram. He argued that the Indian audience lacks an understanding of the hip-hop art form, explaining that rap lyrics often target competitors, and the artist may not always control the final video edit. He stated, “The way Badshah is being judged without understanding the full story is wrong” .
Criticism of the Song:
- Singer Sona Mohapatra strongly criticized the song, calling it “brain rot.” In a detailed Instagram post, she slammed the track for reinforcing harmful stereotypes and objectifying women. She specifically challenged Badshah’s apology, pointing out Haryana’s real-world issues with gender violence and stating, “Cultural influence carries responsibility? Artists shape imagination. You can challenge misogyny or profit from it. BADSHAH & this lot, do better” .
- Wrestler Sangram Singh also expressed his disapproval, telling IANS, “I strongly believe such songs should not be made” .
Badshah’s Apology and Aftermath
In response to the mounting criticism, Badshah released an apology video on Instagram .
- The Apology: He expressed regret that his lyrics and visuals hurt people’s sentiments, especially those from his home state of Haryana. He emphasized, “Main khud Haryana se hoon… Bohot hi proud Haryanvi hoon” (I am from Haryana… I am a very proud Haryanvi) and stated he never intended to disrespect any woman or child .
- Artistic Intent: He clarified that in the hip-hop genre, lyrics are often used for competitive “beef” with opponents and were not directed at women or children .
- Song Removal: Following the controversy and legal pressure, the song was removed from all social media and streaming platforms .
I hope this comprehensive article gives you a clear picture of the entire situation. Would you like to know about any other updates on this story.