Shreya Ghoshal on Rejecting Problematic Songs: ‘It Is a Slightly Patriarchal, Gender-Based Thing’

Shreya Ghoshal has spoken candidly about the songs she chose not to sing because of their lyrics, composition or presentation, saying the issue goes beyond individual tracks and reflects a wider gender imbalance in the music industry.

Playback singer Shreya Ghoshal has opened up about an aspect of the Hindi film music industry that she has become increasingly conscious of over the years: songs that objectify women or rely on lyrics and performances she considers inappropriate.

In a recent conversation on The Male Feminist Podcast, the celebrated singer discussed whether she has ever rejected songs because of their lyrics. Rather than viewing the issue solely through the words of a song, Shreya pointed to a combination of factors, including its composition and the way it is expected to be performed.

She also observed that the kind of songs offered to female singers has historically been shaped by a gender imbalance within the industry.

Shreya Ghoshal says the problem goes beyond lyrics

According to Shreya, problematic songs cannot always be assessed simply by looking at their lyrics.

“The lyrics are one thing. There is also a composition and singing style,” she said during the podcast conversation.

The singer revealed that she had declined some songs that subsequently became popular. She also noted that she feels such songs have become less common compared with an earlier period.

Her comments suggest that the broader context surrounding a song—including how female performers are represented—can be just as important as the words themselves.

‘It is a slightly patriarchal, gender-based thing’

Shreya went on to discuss the kinds of songs traditionally written for female playback singers.

She pointed out that there was a period when female voices in mainstream film music were frequently associated with particular categories of songs, while other musical spaces were dominated by male singers or reserved for romantic duets.

“I feel it is very male-heavy,” she said, adding that she has spoken about the issue strongly in the past.

Shreya described the underlying problem as “a slightly patriarchal, gender-based thing”, while also pointing to independent music as a factor that is helping change the landscape.

Her observation comes at a time when independent artists and non-film music have created additional avenues for singers to explore themes and musical styles outside the traditional Bollywood framework.

Shreya had earlier spoken about ‘Chikni Chameli’

This is not the first time Shreya has reflected on songs she might approach differently today.

During a 2025 conversation with Lilly Singh, the singer acknowledged that she had performed some raunchier songs during her career, including ‘Chikni Chameli’ from Agneepath.

Shreya explained that her perspective has evolved with time. She drew a distinction between sensuality and outright objectification, particularly when children repeat lyrics without understanding their meaning.

She said that seeing very young children sing such songs has made her more conscious about the content she associates herself with.

The singer’s comments highlight how her own understanding of the cultural impact of popular music has changed over the course of her career.

From ‘Devdas’ to a career spanning multiple languages

Shreya Ghoshal entered the Hindi film industry at just 16, making her playback debut with Sanjay Leela Bhansali’s Devdas.

The film proved to be a major breakthrough. Her performances on songs from the soundtrack established her as one of the most distinctive young voices in Hindi cinema.

Over the years, she has gone on to record music across several Indian languages and genres, becoming one of the most recognisable playback singers of her generation.

Her widely known songs include ‘Dola Re Dola’, ‘Barso Re’, ‘Teri Ore’, ‘Ye Ishq Hai’, ‘Agar Tum Mil Jao’, ‘Saathiyaa’, ‘Sunn Raha Hai’, ‘Manwa Laage’ and ‘Deewani Mastani’.

Her more recent work includes songs such as ‘Angaaron’ from Pushpa 2: The Rule, ‘Tum Kya Mile’ and ‘Ve Kamleya’ from Rocky Aur Rani Kii Prem Kahaani, as well as ‘Maatrubhumi’ from Battle of Galwan.

Why Shreya’s comments matter

Shreya Ghoshal’s remarks are significant because they come from an artist who has spent more than two decades at the centre of India’s mainstream music industry.

Rather than singling out one particular song, her comments raise questions about how female voices have traditionally been used in commercial cinema and how ideas around representation have evolved.

The growth of independent music, changing audience expectations and greater conversations around gender representation have all contributed to a broader discussion about what artists choose to sing and how those songs portray women.

For Shreya, that awareness appears to have developed alongside her own career. Her willingness to acknowledge songs she would approach differently today also reflects how an artist’s perspective can evolve with experience.