Indian hip-hop musician Honey Singh and Pakistani actress Mehwish Hayat who is known for her role in MCU’s ‘Ms Marvel’, have become a subject of major controversy in the UK, as the music video for Honey Singh’s latest song ‘Jatt Mekhma’, featuring Hayat, sees children brandishing guns in its Birmingham set.
As per Deadline, Manuela Perteghella, the MP for the West Midlands constituency of Stratford-upon-Avon, complained about Singh’s viral music video to the UK government’s Home Office.
Home Officials are actively considering so-called exclusion orders for Hayat and Singh, meaning they would be banned from entering the UK.
Since its release last November, ‘Jatt Mehkma’ has amassed nearly 40 million views on YouTube alone, while the song has also appeared on BBC Asian Network playlists.
Filmed at Eastnor Castle, Herefordshire, and on location in Birmingham city centre, the gangster-inspired story culminates in four young boys rallying to Hayat’s side and opening fire on a group of men using replica automatic weapons and shotguns.
The MP told Deadline that she was “waiting for the Home Office response to our queries” over the four-minute video, declining to comment further.
A Home Office spokesperson also declined to comment, with the West Midlands Police, which is also said to have been informed of the video, not responding to questions for comment.
A person familiar with the matter said Home Office officials may decide to stop Hayat and Singh from entering the UK because they are “not conducive to the public good” under immigration rules.
Authorities have shown strong concern over the controversial music, as it may have flouted a number of laws, including the use of imitation firearms and exposing minors to harmful content.
Representatives for Hayat declined to comment. Singh, who has family in the UK, did not respond to requests for comment. He is credited as being the creator of the video, while Mihir Gulati was a director. Gulati did not respond to a request for comment.
