Guru Randhawa’s 'Azul' sparks debate on representation, singer issues vague response online

Singer Guru Randhawa, known for delivering multiple hit tracks over the years, is now in the eye of a storm. His latest release, Azul, has been heavily criticised online for its portrayal of a teacher-student dynamic, with many calling the video problematic and inappropriate.

The music video features Randhawa as a photography teacher and actor Anshika Pandey as a student dressed in uniform. A dance sequence between the two has sparked sharp reactions on social media, with viewers accusing the video of sexualising schoolgirls and romanticising an unhealthy relationship.

Amid mounting backlash, Randhawa responded on Friday with a cryptic Instagram post. He shared analytics of Azul, showing the song had garnered more than 107,000 views in just one hour along with over 27,000 searches on YouTube. Alongside the screenshot, he wrote, “Azul is Azuling (wine glass emojis). When God is with you, you only move forward (red heart emoji).”

While the post did not directly address the criticism, it appeared to convey gratitude for the song’s traction despite the controversy. Notably, Randhawa restricted comments on the official Instagram post of Azul, preventing both supporters and critics from leaving feedback.

The controversy has amplified discussions about representation in mainstream music videos. Many social media users expressed discomfort with the storyline, while others questioned the decision to frame such a theme around a student-teacher relationship.

This is not the first time Randhawa has faced public scrutiny. His earlier track, Sirra, has also landed him in legal trouble. Rajdeep Singh Mann from Samrala filed a complaint in a Ludhiana court objecting to certain lyrics in the song. The lines, “We are the sons of Jatts. We got opium as our first food when we were born,” were alleged to promote drug culture and defame the Jatt community.

Taking cognisance of the matter, Sub-Divisional Judicial Magistrate Rajinder Singh has directed Randhawa to appear in court under Section 223 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS). He may either appear personally or be represented by counsel.

With Azul drawing criticism and Sirra facing legal scrutiny, the singer finds himself navigating one of the most challenging phases of his career, balancing popularity with accountability.