Vijay Deverakonda on Geetha Govindam song controversy: We weren’t trying to hurt anyone’s sentiments

“I don’t think we meant to hurt anyone’s sentiments. It was just meant to be a fun song, and not meant to make any statement. The song is not vital to the film. We could change the lyrics.”

“When for Arjun Reddy, I was targeted for swearing and when people said the kisses were obscene, I fought back. But I thought the kisses and swearing were vital to Arjun Reddy. But now since a few women’s organisations and some religious factions have objected, I’d be glad to remove it.”

Vijay says Geetha Govindam is entirely different from Arjun Reddy.

“It’s a fun film meant to be watched by the entire family. After my adult film Arjun Reddy, Geetha Govindam is my full-on Disney-Barjatya wholesome entertainer.”

“As for the song, I didn’t think we were hurting any sentiments. If people haven’t digested it, we have no qualms about taking it down. We will replace it with another song.”

Having said this and done the needful, Vijay feels curbing the song writer’s exuberance is not an ideal creative situation.

“It is a bit convenient. But right now that’s how things are. And both my producers and I felt it is better not to hurt anyone’s sentiments right now. Sadly this was my first attempt at singing on screen and undertaken because my production house and my director were insistent.”

“I just decided to do it for kicks. If I am a singer at all, this is the best I could do. I know I have a limited range. And unless I take singing lessons, I doubt I can do better than this.”

He says he is a “little put-off and may not sing again”.