Khaali Peeli‘s latest song, Beyonce Sharma Jayegi has faced massive criticism on social media due to its racist and colourist lyrics. The use of the term “goriya” which is used to describe a fair-skinned woman was denounced online – it didn’t help that the creators the song attached global icon Beyonce to it.

Now, in an interview with the Hindustan Times, the filmmaker, Maqbool Khan, has apologised and said, “First, without any hesitation or excuses we want to apologise to anyone offended. We assure you that the lyric in question was never intended racially.”

However, he defended his stance on the word. “In fact, the term ‘goriya’ has been so often and traditionally used in Indian songs to address a girl, that it didn’t occur to any of us to interpret it in the literal manner,” he said.

“The comparison with Beyonce is simply meant to be a street-smart guy flattering a girl who is trying to impress that her dancing/performance is worth comparing to even Beyonce who we all see as the final word, the epitome of talent, beauty, performance, style, and attitude. We are all huge fans, and there was never any question of disrespect,” Khan added.

Beyonce Sharma Jayegi has been composed by Vishal and Shekhar and it has been sung by Nakash Aziz and Neeti Mohan.