`Munni badnaam hui’ creates problems for real life Munnis

LAHORE - “Munni Badnaam Hui Darling Tere Liye” from the Bollywood film “Dabangg” might have legions of fans but not the real life Munni, a mother of two in this Pakistani city, who has been harassed so much that she has shut her small shop.

Munni, a fairly common name in the subcontinent, is ruing the day the song became a hit. Her store is located at her home and she has been unable to open it since the song became popular.

“Every now and then someone will come to my store and say ‘Munni badnaam hui darling tere liye in front of my customers. First I didnt pay much attention and tried to ignore it, but then it became a routine event and I started to get irritated,” Express Tribune quoted Munni as saying.

“Even sober and reserved people have sung this song loudly while passing by my store. I have scolded many of them but they just laugh and run away.

“Finally, I couldnt take this behaviour any more and closed my shop for several days. Now its been two months and either I dont open my store or if I do open it, then I dont sit at the counter myself.”

A mother of two, Munni said the song has also impacted on her personal life.

On seeing me, boys in my neighbourhood would start singing this song at full volume. Many times they play it on tape to tease me. This song has really become a nightmare for me.”

This Munni is not the only one to face problems, another Munni, a school principal, is too facing harassment.

Shahida Munni, principal of a school in this city, had been given the nickname Munni by her family and friends.

While walking in my neighbourhood, I am always scared that someone will start to sing the song. Most of the time my fears become reality as many boys either sing the song loudly or play it on the stereo, Shahida said.

She said that it has now become a painful routine. They do it for fun. I dont understand how teasing someone can be fun for people. I am sick of this now and want this to come to an end.”