Arijit Singh REACTS to Gerua controversy for the first time: 'Saffron is the colour of Sanyasis, Swami Ji'

Playback singer Arijit Singh has opened up on Gerua controversy for the first time while performing at his Kolkata concert on February 18.

Shah Rukh Khan and Deepika Padukone's Pathaan song Besharam Rang was mired in controversy as several people raised objections to the actress's saffron bikini in the song. One of Shah Rukh's Dilwale songs also mentions the word Gerua and when Arijit sang it at the Kolkata International Film Festival (KIFF) 2022, amid Pathaan controversy, it again became a talking point.

Arijit Singh reacts to the controversy

Arijit Singh has now reacted to the row for the first time. He performed at the concert for almost four hours and also sang Rang De Tu Mohe Gerua.

"So much of controversy over a colour. Saffron is the colour of Sanyasis, of Swami Ji (Vivekananda). Had he worn white, would there be a controversy over the white color as well?", Arijit said, according to a report in India Today.

About the controversy

A few days later, it was reported that Arijit's Kolkata concert, which was scheduled to be held on February 18, was cancelled after police denied permission. It also led to a political slugfest between BJP and Mamata Banerjee-led Trinamool Congress. The BJP had alleged that the West Bengal CM, who was also present at KIFF 2022, took offence to Arijit's choice of song and cancelled his concert.

However, Kolkata Mayor Firhad Hakim had clarified that permission was not granted to avoid a clash with a scheduled event to mark India's G-20 Presidency. The Mayor had also said that another event featuring actor Salman Khan also had to be cancelled.

Netizens had also wondered if Arijit singing 'Gerua' in front of Shah Rukh, who was also present at KIFF 2022, was only a tribute to the star or a hidden jibe, amid the 'Besharam Rang' controversy.