Netflix Review: Yo Yo Honey Singh: Famous

Trailer grab – Netflix.

MELBOURNE, 20 December, 2024: Punjabi rapper, hip-hop singer, party-rapper, Bollywood singer, actor and what not, Yo Yo Honey Singh, or just Honey Singh’s Lungi Dance, Lungi Dance (Chennai Express), Angrezi Beat, Desi Kalakar and the recent Honey 3.0 and Glory have been immensely popular in India and across the globe in Diaspora communities. Several hit tracks have resonated with audiences, establishing him as a leading figure in the Indian music scene. He is now 41 years old and a You Tube sensation.

Yo Yo Honey Singh’s music style and singing remains popular, has not been without controversies and for some years had serious health problems. In this Netflix documentary, Honey Singh tells it all about his life and professional journey so far. You murmuring his smash hit  ‘Lungi Dance…’ even today after  11 years, is no mean feat.

But behind this success and fame lies a life story, a mix of successes, personal issues, controversies, and  tragedies. Director Mozez Singh tries to profile him since childhood encompassing his struggle and determination to be a singer, not easy in a family where it is imperative for a  son to inherit the family business and keep it going. He himself talks about his life in Delhi’s Karampura home where he records his first song. His emotional attachment with Karampura, is evident in the documentary.

He was accused of singing ‘gande gane’ (bad songs), to which he says he is not apologetic because people wanted them. He becomes too busy with shows and sees a decline in his life style. Focus is lost or changes and a song like ‘Main Balatkari Hoon’ (I am a rapist) plays to the gallery. A court case troubles him. Family is worried and alienated. Personal life takes a a nose dive. Falls sick which he says it was Biopolar Disorder, a mental illness that causes extreme shifts in mood, energy, activity levels, and concentration. Basically, a mental health issue.

The documentary at times looks patchy, which could have been overcome by tight editing. It starts and then goes in a quick flashback and then back again. The episodes with Shah Rukh Khan and  the US tours happenings speak for themselves. The life of a celebrity is bare before us.

Hearing the ups and downs of his career from Honey Singh’s own mouth, gives a realistic flavour to the film. His concern for his parents gives the human face of his life. One should always look after parents, he says.

One cannot but feel sad when Honey Singh says,  I wished for death everyday, describing his ailment years. Around 2018, he starts to talk  again about his work and goes to Cuba for ‘Makhna’, shoot. In fact, there is much more.

Trailer grab – Netflix.

The fame, wealth, popularity, and pride taking toll of his life, is the subject matter of the film. That he to a great extent overcomes the perils of being a celebrity, that pushed him into tough happenings. One’s success should not destroy peace of mind, is the message. But does that happen always? Yes, the question of material achievements at the cost of physical and mental health are well posed by director Mozez Singh. This can happen to anyone and Honey Singh’s story raises the issue as it happened.

Though, he says these days are different and people like different type of songs and music. Maybe, the digital age has caught-up with him and competition is too much. The days of a few singers dominating the scene is over.

Yo Yo Honey Singh is different from Shyam Benegal’s ‘Bhumika’ based on the Marathi-language memoirs, Sangtye Aika of the well-known Marathi stage and screen actress of the 1940s Hansa Wadkar. A feature film, I believe, on Honey Singh will be different. After all, a bit of dramatic liberties will enhance the production. Still, the documentary tells us Honey Singh’s side of the story.

Honey Singh says, “For years, there have been countless conjectures about me in the media, and I have never really shared my side of the story. This documentary is the right opportunity to tell my story. My fans have always stood by me, even in my absence, and for that, I am eternally grateful. This docu-film on Netflix goes beyond the spotlight to reveal the real me — the highs, the lows, and everything in between. I’m excited to finally share my journey with the world.”

Director Mozez Singh adds, “It has been a privilege to make this film. Honey has given me unprecedented access into his life and the fact that he has trusted me with his story has been a real moment of truth for me, not just as a filmmaker but as a human being too. I’m very proud of ‘Famous’ and I hope the world will love watching it as much as I have loved making it.”

Yo Yo Honey Singh is still on the scene and many of his older hits still reverberate across the world in events and on social media.

No doubt, despite the ups, downs, and controversies, Honey Singh lives with his music.

Name: Yo Yo Honey Singh: Famous

Director: Mozez Singh

Producers: Sikhya Entertainment

Premier date: December 20, 2024

OTT platform: Netflix

 

Also read – https://www.southasiatimes.com.au/entertainment-sports/cinema/honey-singh/

Trailer – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4fFK1LU0U3c&t=1s&ab_channel=NetflixIndia

Lungi Dance Video – https://youtu.be/69CEiHfS_mc?si=19TwcwJfq4WLRAL_

 

By Neeraj Nanda

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