Jobaaj Stories
The much-awaited documentary Yo Yo Honey Singh: Famous is finally out, but sadly, it doesn’t live up to the hype. While the teaser promised a "tell-all" story, the documentary falls short of offering any fresh or surprising insights into the life of the rapper-singer.
Directed by Mozez Singh, known for his work on the series Human, and produced by Guneet Monga, who has been behind several offbeat content pieces, the documentary had a lot of potential. Honey Singh, a Delhi boy from humble beginnings, made a huge impact on the Indian music scene, and his rise to fame could have made for an intriguing story. The doc starts by showcasing his teenage years, setting a promising tone.
However, the documentary quickly starts to feel one-sided, with much of the content leaning heavily in Singh's favor. The line of questioning comes across like it belongs in a typical Bollywood masala film. The biggest controversies surrounding Honey Singh, like the expletive-laden song ‘Ch*t’, are mentioned briefly before being brushed aside with Singh saying, "I didn’t make it." But that’s something he has said in countless interviews before. So, what makes this documentary different?
Similarly, the rumour about actor Shah Rukh Khan allegedly slapping Honey Singh during a concert tour is mentioned, but both Singh and his sister dismiss it by saying "unhone nahi maara tha" (he didn’t slap me), which is a claim Singh has made before. The documentary also touches on Singh’s bipolar diagnosis, but he says, "Aaj tak kisi ko nahi bataya kya hua tha" (I haven’t told anyone what happened), even though he has been open about it in past interviews.
What makes Yo Yo Honey Singh: Famous even more disappointing is that it doesn't reveal anything new about the singer. While the appearance of his family adds a more human touch, and moments where Singh gets emotional while recalling his struggles are heart-wrenching, the documentary doesn’t offer any surprises. There are even awkward moments, like a random sequence where a “super fan” meets Singh on the streets and breaks down in tears as he sings for her. The staged feeling of the scene detracts from the documentary's credibility.
When the topic of his controversial divorce from Shalini comes up, Singh simply says, "We have signed a MoU, so I can’t talk about it." This only raises the question: if the documentary is supposed to offer new insights, why is it holding back on important topics?
The documentary barely touches on Mafia Mundeer, the music collective Singh was associated with, and doesn’t explore any of the deeper aspects of his career.
In the end, Yo Yo Honey Singh: Famous could have been much more than just a collection of already known facts. Instead, it feels like a whitewashing attempt, much like the film Sanju, which focused more on glorifying the subject rather than providing an objective take. It’s a documentary that lacks the rapper's edge and doesn’t offer much beyond what we already know.
