The Bhojpuri film industry, famous for its energetic music and passionate audience, has faced the limelight in recent times for reasons unrelated to cinema. A scandal involving popular actor-singer Pawan Singh and actress Anjali Raghav has created heated discussion surrounding consent, professionalism, and personal boundaries in the entertainment industry.
What Occurred During the Saiya Seva Kare Song Promotion in Lucknow
The episode occurred at the promotional event of the Bhojpuri number Saiya Seva Kare in Lucknow. As the event was to mark the release of the song, it took an unexpected turn when Anjali Raghav blamed Pawan Singh for groping her waist. The moment, recorded on video and shared widely on social media, left Raghav visibly nervous and initiated a chain of reactions from fans and industry professionals as well.
This was not a passing instance of embarrassment—it was the causative factor for a drastic decision by Anjali. She declared her decision to leave the Bhojpuri film industry altogether on Saturday, and this incident was mentioned as the tipping point in a series of professional setbacks.
Pawan Singh's Public Apology: 'I Had No Wrong Intention'
To counter the increasing backlash, Pawan Singh went on Instagram Stories to make a public apology. His apology message, which was in Hindi, apologized for the incident and explained his position.
He wrote, “Anjali ji, vyasth schedule ke kaaran main aapka live dekh nahi paaya. Mujhe jab iss baat ki jaankari huyi, toh mujhe bura laga.” Translated, he said that due to his busy schedule, he couldn’t watch Anjali’s live video, but felt bad upon learning about the matter.
Singh went on to add, “Mera aapke prati koi bhi ghalat intention nahi tha kyuki humlog kalakaar hai,” which translates to saying he had no ill intentions because they are both artists. His comment tried to bridge the gap and restore professionalism between the two.
Anjali Raghav Accepts the Apology But Stands Firm on Consent
Anjali Raghav replied in a prompt way through her own Instagram Story, accepting Singh’s apology. She posted, “Pawan Singh ji apologized for his error. He is older than me and an elderly artist. I have forgiven him. I don’t want to escalate this issue further. Jai Shri Ram.”
Although her forgive-annd-forget decision might have eased some of the public backlash, Anjali was insistent in previous videos that her view on consent is firm. “I totally do not agree with touching any girl without asking her. First of all, it is highly wrong,” she had declared, making it important to respect people’s boundaries, most especially in the workplace.
Jyoti Singh's Emotional Instagram Post Adds Another Layer to the Controversy
As if matters weren’t already emotionally charged enough, Pawan Singh’s second wife, Jyoti Singh, joined the fray with a deeply personal and disturbing Instagram post. She alleged that Singh had been ignoring her for months and spoke out in a manner that disturbed many followers.
Jyoti had written, “What serious offense have I done that I am being punished thus? My parents’ names have been insulted today.” She further added, “If I don’t deserve you, then you could have simply left me. You did not have to give me hope in vain during the Lok Sabha elections.”
Her posting, which involved a threat of self-immolation, has created serious issues regarding mental health and emotional welfare in celebrity relationships. Her fans and fellow actors have appealed to her to receive help and not take any extreme measures.
The Bigger Picture: Consent and Accountability in Bhojpuri Cinema
This scandal has opened up a broader discussion regarding the culture of regional film industries such as Bhojpuri films. While Bollywood has had its own share of #MeToo moments, Bhojpuri film is still trying to figure out how to address such occurrences publicly and responsibly.
Anjali Raghav’s choice to come forward—and her later decision to forgive—both take courage and grace. But it also underscores the industry’s need for more robust norms around consent, workplace conduct, and gender sensitivity.
Pawan Singh's Career: A Look at His Bhojpuri Film Journey
Controversy notwithstanding, Pawan Singh is one of the most familiar faces in Bhojpuri cinema. He has a career spanning more than a decade, with prominent films including Pratigya (2008), Satya (2017), Crack Fighter (2019), Raja (2019), Sher Singh (2019), Mera Bharat Mahaan (2022) & Har Har Gange (2023).
In addition to acting, Singh has also established himself as a singer. His hit song Lagavelu Lipstick went viral, and he also sang the song Aayi Nai from Stree 2, which goes to prove that he is equally good in any genre.
Final Thoughts: A Moment of Reflection for Bhojpuri Entertainment
The Pawan Singh–Anjali Raghav scandal is not just a news headline—it’s a wake-up call for Bhojpuri cinema. With the business expanding in popularity and scope, it also needs to mature on the ethics, professionalism, and respect for artists fronts.
Though Singh’s apology and Raghav’s forgiveness brought this chapter to a close, the lessons from this episode cannot be forgotten. Consent is not negotiable, and all artists—irrespective of seniority—need to maintain the dignity of their peers.
As fans, makers, and stakeholders in the entertainment universe, it’s high time we ask for not only good performances, but good character off-screen as well.
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