Gippy Grewal says people were ‘burning my effigies’ when ‘Angrezi Beat’ released; he’d wonder if it was punishment for past misdeeds

Gippy Grewal said that people were burning his effigies after the release of 'Angrezi Beat', even though it was a massive hit.

Gippy Grewal said that after 'Angezi Beat', people were burning his effigies. (Photo: Gippy Grewal/ Instagram)

Singer-actor Gippy Grewal, who is currently promoting his upcoming film Shinda Shinda No Papa, recently spoke about Punjabi artists glamourising violence through their music. Gippy said that when he first gained massive popularity with his song “Angrezi Beat”, he was at the receiving end of backlash from a certain section of the public, some of whom also burnt his effigies as a mark of protest.

When he was asked about the controversies that erupt after the release of a particular song or film, Gippy said that not just Punjabi artists, even Bollywood artists go through the same. He said that during his morning prayers, he wonders if he has made a mistake to hurt the people who are getting offended. “If I am going through a bad time, it the punishment for what I probably must have done, I must have hurt someone. I pray that I don’t say or do anything to hurt someone,” he told Film Companion.

ALSO READ | Star fees over Rs 100 cr, demands for multiple vanity vans, entourage cost of Rs 20 lakh per day: As Bollywood biggies bomb, focus on actors’ overhead costs

Story continues below this ad

He then recalled that back in 2010-2011, he was enjoying immense adulation, but was also being criticised by a certain section. “This started in 2010-2011, ‘Angrezi Beat’ came out and the world was dancing to it, and there were also people who were burning my effigies. I didn’t understand if I was right or wrong,” he said. When asked about the songs that glamourise violence, Gippy said that although his music isn’t too heavy on violence, he completely understands what other artists are going through. “The audience tells the artists what to make, and those songs work with them,” he said.

When asked if there are any particular subjects that he would stay away from his in his music, Gippy said that he won’t speak about religion, or make racist songs. He also said that if the audience rejects something, he doesn’t blame them for not understanding it. In fact, he wonders if it wasn’t up to the mark.

Click here to follow Screen Digital on YouTube and stay updated with the latest from the world of cinema.