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Bollywood star Malaika Arora is once again commanding attention — this time for her bold collaboration with rapper Yo Yo Honey Singh in the upcoming music video Chillgum, from his latest album 51 Glorious Days. The teaser for the track dropped on November 7, and while it promised a dose of nostalgia with its flashy 90s-inspired energy, it has also triggered an unexpected wave of backlash online. In the brief clip, Malaika can be seen performing energetic dance moves alongside Honey Singh, dressed in vibrant costumes under neon lights. The chemistry between the two is unmistakable, but not all viewers were impressed. Several social media users criticised the choreography as “vulgar” and “forced,” claiming that it lacked the effortless allure Malaika once brought to her iconic item numbers. The Teaser That Sparked Debate The controversy began after a behind-the-scenes image from the music video went viral on Reddit. The still showed Malaika with her tongue out, seemingly twerking close to Honey Singh. While intended to be playful, the pose became the focal point of online discussions, with netizens accusing the video of crossing the line between bold and distasteful. View this post on Instagram A post shared by T-Series (@tseries.official) Fans argued that Chillgum tried too hard to recreate the raw charisma of 90s Hindi pop and item numbers, but missed the mark. One user wrote, “It’s because she can’t do it properly, that’s why it seems vulgar. First, these choreographers come up with the sleaziest moves, and when the actress can’t pull it off, they get shamed online.” Malaika doing such things at this age is ewwing me out byu/wdym_adi inBollyBlindsNGossip Another comment read, “Sunidhi Chauhan’s Aankh is an example of a good item song where Sanya Malhotra performed with power and grace. This one just feels awkward and forced.” A third user added, “The problem is that it isn’t sexy or attractive. It’s just vulgar. You can mostly get away with frisky performances if you make them look stylish. Just take a look at Malaika’s earlier work compared to this.” From Iconic Numbers to Online Criticism Malaika Arora has long been synonymous with glamour and dance in Hindi cinema. From Chaiyya Chaiyya to Munni Badnaam Hui, her screen presence has always balanced sensuality with sophistication. That’s precisely why fans found Chillgum jarring — many felt it didn’t align with the elegance she is known for. For Honey Singh, Chillgum is another addition to his trademark mix of high beats and flashy visuals. Known for hits like Brown Rang, Desi Kalakaar and Love Dose, the rapper’s style has often polarised audiences for pushing boundaries. Malaika’s Silence and What Lies Ahead As of now, Malaika has not reacted to the criticism, nor has Honey Singh commented on the controversy. However, anticipation for the full video remains high, with many fans hoping the final cut will provide the larger context missing from the teaser. Despite the divided reactions, Chillgum marks a much-talked-about reunion of two entertainment icons from different eras — Malaika representing Bollywood’s golden age of item numbers, and Honey Singh symbolising India’s modern pop-rap evolution. Whether the full video silences critics or fuels more debate, it’s clear that Chillgum has already achieved what every Honey Singh project aims for — setting the internet abuzz.
