Guru Randhawa’s new song Azul has gone viral within no time, but not for all the good reasons. The music video where Randhawa is a photographer who goes to an all-girls school to take a class photo has come under immense flak for s*xualizing schoolgirls and depicting them in a derogatory way.
Representing Schoolgirls and Alcohol Metaphors
The clip starts by announcing it’s “highly addictive.” But audiences were stunned to see Randhawa not only sexualising school-going girls (played by adult women) but even comparing them with different types and brands of alcohol. The singer makes at least 15 references to alcohol throughout the song, employing them as metaphors to describe women’s looks, aura, and personality. Critics are of the opinion that such comparisons are tone-deaf and insensitive, particularly in 2025, when women’s representation discourse is more prevalent than ever.
Public Outrage and Criticism
The track has also triggered outrage on social media platforms, with numerous women condemning Randhawa for peddling a “pornographic fetishisation” of children. According to them, while the roles are played by adults, the school environment validates a sick message that normalises harassment and objectification of teenage girls. Some netizens criticized the video for celebrating improper fantasies in the name of music and entertainment.
Silence from the Singer
With the backlash on the rise, Randhawa has not yet released a statement. Still, he has already disabled comments on his Instagram posts, which shows him being cognizant of the controversy. This only ignited more debate, as fans and critics alike wait to hear if the singer responds to the criticism.
Cultural Context
Though Punjabi music has had a tradition of comparing women to booze, Randhawa’s Azul is in the dock for overstepping. The mix of school references and drunken analogies has seemed to many as socially irresponsible and has brought the singer into the spotlight.
