The hashtag 'Feminist Songs' in which Bolly people are rephrasing original lyrics, with words that are friendlier towards women has created a frenzy on the internet. Lyricists across the country might take offence to this new wave of feminism, but it is nothing short of a celebration for Indian women who have been grudging the sexist tinge in romantic Bollywood songs and item numbers. The trend, which started on a microblogging site last month, picks on songs with misogyny-laden words. Over the last few weeks, feminists on social media have kept the tempo of this movement alive by posting tweets that range from powerful to hilarious. Sample this - Chikni Chameli chhupke akeli pauwa chadha ke aayi, because she's independent enough to do whatever the f*** she wants to...#FeministBollySongs. For the conventional Indian mindset, these tweets maybe blasphemous but some of them sound just so right.

SONGS ARE CROWD-PLEASERS
The Hindi film industry has often come under scrutiny for its objectification of women. Item numbers especially have been blamed for making derogatory remarks and getting away with it because they are, after all, popular. For instance, there were mixed reactions to Munni badnaam hui...which remains a hot favourite on the list of most memorable item numbers.A lyricist, on condition of anonymity, explains, “Item songs are crowd pleasers. Lyrics are written keeping the audience in mind and such things work. What is being viewed as art by feminists is purely commercial for producers. They want the music to work because it gives the film a big impetus and the money that is made from the songs is humongous.“

BLAME THE MALE-DOMINATED PSYCHE
The quintessential chedkhani (teasing) between the hero and the heroine and all the 'uski naa mein hi haan chupi hai' (her consent lies in her refusal) doesn't make sense to the more liberal section of the youth. There is a fast growing emphasis on 'consent', which is sacrosanct, now more than ever before. Women won't take a stalker for a lover anymore. With the shift in power dynamics between genders, power no longer lies with the man. Dev Anand's iconic song Chod do aanchal zamana kya kahega has been tweaked keeping feminist sensibilities in mind and now reads - Chod do aanchal because it is not about zamana but sexual harassment.

Besides item numbers that are immediate targets, even iconic romantic songs have come under attack. Amitabh Bachchan's ever-romantic song Kabhi kabhi mere dil mein khayal aata hai found a bitter reply from feminists. A certain tweet goes, “Kabhi kabhi mere dil mein khayal aata hai ki jaise tujhko banaya gaya hai, FOR YOU. Not for me or any other man.“

Another popular romantic song from the Shah Rukh Khan and Juhi Chawla-starrer Darr, 'Tu haan kar, ya naa kar, tu hai meri Kiran' has found a sharp comeback in 'Tu haan kar, ya naa kar, teri marzi Kiran'. A lot of feminists think some classic romantic lyrics also reflect the society's male-dominated psyche.

ALL ABOUT PERSPECTIVE
The song that received maximum flak for its lyrics was Chittiyaan Kalaiyaan from the film Roy. The song which goes like this...Shopping kara de, picture dikha de, Chittiyan Kalaiyaan ve. Gulabi chunni diva de,chudi diva de Chittiyan kalaiyaan ve...has been countered with a lot of criticism on social media. A post on Twitter said, “My immediate reply to the guy who says this will be ­ 'Main apni salary se shopping kar sakti hoon and picture bhi dekh sakti hoon. I don't like pink. I don't have white wrists, so get lost!“ When we spoke to lyricist Kumaar, who has penned the original track, he says, “People never talk to me about my songs Tujhe bhula diya (Anjaana Anjaani) or Mere nishaan (OMG Oh My God!). If a film is made on an adult subject, how am I expected to write literature. Everyone has a right to their opinion in this country. I have no grouse against those who feel my songs put women down. But that has never been my intention. When I wrote Chittiyaan Kalaiyaan, I wanted to bring out the fact that a woman feels flattered when she is complimented. She wants her life to be full of love. I feel it is cute. Lyrics are also penned in keeping with the demand of the meter.Songs are a reflection of the society we live in. My words are always based on what I observe. Gandagi nazariye mein hai, meri soch mein nahin, (the vulgarity lies in the perception, not the thought)“ he says.

In this kudiyon ka zamana, this hashtag is making the right noise.