Singer Nikhita Gandhi defends Badshah in 'Tateeree' controversy: 'Many have done inappropriate stuff, none were held'
ETimes April 19, 2026 11:40 PM
Nikhita Gandhi , known for her collaborations with Badshah on chartbusters like ‘Jugnu’ and ‘O Sajna’, has now weighed in on the uproar over his Haryanvi track ‘Tateeree’. The song faced intense criticism for its crude lyrics, abusive words, provocative moves, and imagery of girls in school uniforms, prompting its removal from platforms. Standing by Badshah, Nikhita called out the targeting as unfair and expressed sympathy for him.
Nikhita Gandhi on ‘Tateeree’ uproar
In an interview with Variety India, Nikhita stated that Badshah is facing the controversy because she believes it has been "misconstrued to a large extent." She added that she feels bad for him and doesn't think the accusations against him hold true in reality.
The singer added, "I think I would leave it at the fact that there are a lot of people who have done a lot of cringey stuff, a lot of really inappropriate stuff as well and none of them have been held accountable. So I think it's unfortunate that he's being targeted, to be honest. I can't speak for all artists, but in my case, I'm not political or I don't get into these kind of conversations."
Nikhita Gandhi: Keep artists out of politics
Nikhita noted that such views are highly personal, much like keeping one's voting choice private. She emphasized her role as an artist dedicated to creating music that brings joy and happiness. She expressed dismay at artists being unfairly targeted and pulled into political debates beyond their craft, adding that she hopes Badshah is okay.
Badshah releases ‘Tateeree Phir Se’
Following the backlash, Badshah recently released a revamped version of his controversial track, titled ‘Tateeree Phir Se’, and stated that the "offensive" parts have been removed.
