04-07-2025
Double-Meaning Lyrics, Daring Outfit: Mamta Kulkarni 'Item Number' That Raised A Storm In 1995
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Mamta Kulkarni's bold 90s song 'Gup Chup Gup Chup' from 'Karan Arjun' stirred protests, dodged bans, and still tops retro playlists, proof that controversy can dance too
Who would've thought that a song from nearly three decades ago would still be ruffling feathers?
We're talking about the iconic and controversial number Gup Chup Gup Chup from the 1995 Bollywood blockbuster Karan Arjun. While Shah Rukh Khan and Salman Khan were busy reincarnating and fighting fate, it was Mamta Kulkarni, with her bold moves and bolder lyrics, who stole a fair share of the spotlight and the outrage.
The Bollywood Song That Sparked A Storm
Set to the raspy, powerful vocals of Ila Arun, the song Gup Chup Gup Chup turned heads not just for its infectious tune but for its eyebrow-raising lyrics.
Phrases like Raat kiya ri tune kaisa ghotala (meaning: What wrong thing have you done in the night?) and Aadhe bistar pe woh soya tha, Aadhe pe main bhi so gayi (meaning: He was sleeping on one side of the bed, and I slept on the other side of the bed too) left some viewers stunned, others delighted, and conservative groups absolutely fuming.
Back in 1995, critics accused the song of being 'indecent", 'suggestive", and 'a mockery of tradition". Many social groups protested. Women's organisations called for a ban arguing that it insulted Indian culture. TV channels got squeamish and shifted it out of primetime. All this while the audience? They hit repeat.
Mamta Kulkarni's Look: Bold, Blingy, And Blamed
Clad in an outfit that was daring even by 90s standards, Mamta Kulkarni delivered a performance that was instantly unforgettable and endlessly debated. Her 'item number' status was cemented, but so was the song's reputation as a lightning rod for controversy.
The main grievance? That the ghunghat, a veil traditionally seen as a symbol of modesty and respect, was being used as a prop in what some saw as a sultry spectacle.
And Yet, A Smashing Hit
Ironically, the more people complained, the more people watched. Karan Arjun went on to become the second highest-grossing film of 1995, collecting Rs 25 crore in India and a staggering Rs 36.75 crore globally.
And that 'obscene' song? It refused to die. Decades later, it still turns up at retro nights, DJ sets, and—admit it—your nostalgic 90s playlist.
Say what you will about Gup Chup Gup Chup, it was bold, bizarre, and blazingly successful. In the ever-spinning world of Bollywood, where outrage often boosts popularity, this song is living proof that sometimes controversy is the best promotion.
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