Actor Kichcha Sudeep publicly defended director Prem during a press conference, following the backlash over the song 'Sarke Chunar Teri Sarke' from the upcoming Kannada film 'KD: The Devil.' The song has faced criticism for its suggestive lyrics, which were penned by Prem. Sudeep emphasized the importance of understanding Prem's contributions to Kannada cinema, stating that the director has created songs that resonate with emotions and familial bonds. He urged for empathy in light of the harsh reactions on social media, expressing concern that such criticism diminishes the filmmaker's stature.

Director Prem responded to the controversy, stating that he did not intend to create any issues and clarified that the song was meant for celebratory contexts. He acknowledged the backlash stemming from the Hindi translation of the lyrics, which he did not fully understand. Prem expressed regret for any hurt caused and questioned why such a minor issue had escalated into a major controversy, especially when larger global problems exist.

The song features actors Sanjay Dutt and Nora Fatehi, with Fatehi distancing herself from the controversy, claiming ignorance of the lyrics' meaning during filming. The National Commission for Women has taken notice of the situation, summoning those involved, including Dutt, who later apologized and pledged to sponsor the education of 50 tribal children. Following the backlash, the song was removed from YouTube, and the film's trailer was also taken down, with the project receiving an 'A' certificate from the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC). 'KD: The Devil' is scheduled to release on April 30.