Tooh (song)

"Tooh", a song composed by Vishal–Shekhar with lyrics by Anvita Dutt Guptan, is performed by playback singers Mika Singh and Mamta Sharma with backing vocals by Vishal Dadlani and Shruti Pathak. The song was the first single to be released digitally from the soundtrack of the 2013 film Gori Tere Pyaar Mein. The digital release was on 12 October 2013 in India. The music video was released on 9 October and launched on radio on 16 October.

A typical filmi song and item number, the song's video depicts the fun and humour that prevail at traditional Punjabi weddings.^[2]

Background and composition

In an interview with

An item number,[1] and wedding song aside from being a filmi number "Tooh" features an array of wedding song "paraphernalia" including brass synthesizer and dhol.^[7]

Music video

The video was directed by the director of the film, Punit Malhotra.

The single was released on digital music platform ITunes on 12 October 2013,^[6] followed by a radio-release on 16 October 2013.^[8] It is the second item number featuring Kareena Kapoor; the first being "Fevicol Se" from the 2012 film Dabangg 2.^[8]

Reception

Upon release, "Tooh" received mixed reviews. Its lyrics were criticised for being objectionable; mediocre and unoriginal, along with the frequent use of the word "Tooh"—^[12][13][14] but was noted for its ecstatic and groovy nature.^[12][13][14] The dance steps from the song's music video caught on with revellers adding to the popularity of the single.^[15][16]

The song's lyrics include multiple instances of the word "Tooh"—Punjabi for "buttocks",^[17] which became controversial in India.^{[18][19][20][21]} The Central Board of Film Certification faced criticism for passing the song without objection, even though it included profanity.^[18][19][20] Shekhar Ravjiani, one of the song's composers, defended the song, refuting claims that the song is obscene.^[18][19][20]

The lyrics have also been criticised for their lack of poetry, which was the mainstay of songs in Bollywood classics like Pyaasa and Sujata.^[19][20] Lyricist Kausar Munir blames the attention span of the listeners and the commercial aspect of the films for the rude and offensive lyrics of modern songs; including those of "Tooh".^[18][19][20]

Despite criticism, the song received audiences appreciation; secured high positions in music charts.^[22][23][24] It reached second position in The Times of India Radio Mirchi Top 20 chart^[a][25] and ninth position^[26] in the BBC Asian Network chart, with a run of 11 weeks in the former and eight weeks in the latter.^[27]

Notes

References