The thing about some of the recent documentaries made on popular Indian icons is that they rarely scratch below the surface and dig deep into what lies beneath their super popular exterior. They eventually end up being another means of fan-service, never really offering any meaningful insights into the life and times of the artists they’re on. This is where Yo Yo Honey Singh: Famous gets an upper hand. Unlike Netflix’s previous dud Nayanthara: Beyond The Fairytale, this one at least, attempts to separate the man from the myth. Even though this Mozez Singh-directed documentary brushes upon some of the most controversial episodes in the rapper-singer and music producer’s life, barely sinking its teeth enough to do a deep dive (except when talking about his battle with bipolar disorder), it does make for an engaging watch.
Produced by Oscar winning Guneet Monga’s Sikhya Entertainment, this 80-minute long documentary focuses on the humble beginnings of Honey Singh in West Delhi, his unprecedented rise to popularity with his songs redefining the Indian pop-culture, the pressures of being a star, his struggle with mental health and its repercussions, and his comeback in the industry at a time when the trends in the music scene have changed drastically. The film does touch upon some of the most controversial episodes of Honey Singh’s life, like his songs being accused of promoting toxic masculinity owing to their objectionable lyrics, the infamous alleged slapgate incident with Shah Rukh Khan on a tour, accusations of domestic violence levelled by his ex-wife Shalini, among others.
However, it seemed that Mozez Singh was merely trying to check all the boxes while making this documentary as we never find him inquisitive enough to explore what lies beneath the surface as there are hardly any worthy follow-up questions posed to the rapper. For example, in one of the portions Honey Singh talks about his childhood romance and marriage with his ex-wife Shalini and how supportive she’d been of him. But when the part about her domestic abuse allegations comes up, it is conveniently brushed aside under the garb of an MoU signed between her and the rapper. Honey Singh doesn’t even mention, let alone admit, any mistakes that he may have made in neglecting his wife and relationship. The question about his most infamous song, Ch**t which is replete with expletives, derogatory connotations, and profanity is raised via two women activists, but it’s again dismissed by the rapper who denies having sung it (as he’d done in his previous interviews as well).
The documentary shines when it does attempt to explore more about the boy who spent 24 years of his life in a house with no windows in Karampura, but still dared to dream and make it big in the music industry. The segments where Honey Singh talks about why he wanted a certain look and feel for the music videos of his songs like Dope Shope and Blue Eyes, or where he’s seen working on the song Let’s Dance Chotu Motu from Kisi Ka Bhai Kisi Ki Jaan on the behest of Salman Khan, offer genuine insights into his thought process. Some of the archival footage from his early days in West Delhi is pure gold and would make you wish that there were more such gems included in this film. The most hard-hitting portions of the documentary are undoubtedly the ones where Honey Singh bares his soul, talking about the pressures of stardom, his addiction problem, making a sudden exit from the music scene post his diagnosis with bipolar disorder, his psychotic tendencies, and how he braved it all to make a comeback where he’s ready to “blow the world”.
The parts where Honey Singh’s sister and parents talk about trying to help him recover and bounce back, or where the rapper-music producer breaks down while talking about being unable to work and earn a living when his old father had to step out to work, or how his mother wraps his daily medication in small newspaper pudiyaas, are some of the most moving aspects of this documentary. It is in these parts that you really discover and see the Punjabi boy with all his insecurities and vulnerabilities, when separated from the myth of the global fame associated with his persona. The contrasts in opinion offered by a music journalist try to balance out the documentary and prevents it from leaning completely in the favour of its subject. The attempt is laudable but is only partially effective through its runtime, especially since the rapper narrowly escapes addressing the other pressing controversies that nearly finished his career when he was at his prime.
Certain portions appear too staged and take away from the authenticity of the material at hand. Case in point – An instance when a female fan chases Honey Singh on a two wheeler in the middle of the night and ends up in tears when he sings Blue Eyes for her. What balances it out is the multiple vox pop videos of fans commenting on his music and his attempts to make a big comeback after being away from the spotlight for over half a decade. Much like the life of the genre-defining musician, Yo Yo Honey Singh: Famous is full of highs and lows and makes for an engaging watch, especially for his ardent fans who still love to grove to his hit tracks at the drop of a hat.
Yo Yo Honey Singh: Famous
Watch on: Netflix
Director: Mozez Singh
Cast: Honey Singh
Rating: 2.5 stars
