‘Kufar’ Choreographers Defend Sexy Moves After Online Backlash

Diljit Dosanjh’s latest track Kufar, featuring actor and former Miss World Manushi Chhillar, has become the subject of heated debate after certain choreography moments were labeled objectifying by sections of social media users. The conversation intensified around a specific step in which a female dancer lifts her leg while Diljit stands behind her during the lyric “jannat ke darwaaze kudiye.” Amid the criticism, the song’s choreographers, Shazia Samji and Piyush Bhagat, have now clarified the creative thinking behind the dance sequence.

Shazia explained in a recent podcast discussion that the lyric itself carries a sensual tone and the choreography was crafted to match its expression. She noted that Diljit delivered the line in a way that naturally called for a visually striking moment. Piyush supported her reasoning, adding that the song was always intended to be bold, stylish, and international in its visual language. He also pointed out that the teaser had clearly announced a “sexy dance,” leaving little ambiguity about the artistic direction.

Both choreographers stressed that the brief for Kufar was straightforward: the song needed to feel sexy, in keeping with its mood and Diljit’s global audience. They clarified that everyone on set — including Diljit and Manushi — was fully aware of the choreography and aligned with the creative choices. They said that positive and negative reactions are both a part of public conversation and contribute to a song’s overall visibility. Shazia also revealed that Manushi was not the one performing the controversial step, despite becoming a focal point of online trolling.

Manushi Chhillar, who also faced criticism for her appearance in the music video, responded thoughtfully to comments suggesting her career had been “reduced to small dance appearances.” She defended artistic expression, saying that respecting all creative forms reflects true wisdom. She added that every song and performance serves its own purpose and contributes meaningfully to the larger artistic landscape.

Diljit Dosanjh reacted to the controversy with humor, saying in a live video that he was unaware of what was unfolding around him during the shot. He described his album AURA as rooted in sensuality, noting that the title was inspired by fans who often spoke about the unique energy at his live shows. The album intentionally embraces a seductive, performance-driven aesthetic.

Despite the backlash, Kufar continues to attract significant engagement online, having crossed 2.9 crore views. The debate around the song has further fueled discussions about artistic freedom, the evolution of pop culture, and balancing sensuality with social sensitivity in modern music videos.