Mehwish Hayat has been the kernel of controversy after her item song for upcoming film ‘Baaji’ dropped and has been voicing her unwavering stance throughout it all.

Amidst the debacle that ‘Gangster Guriya’ was, it hasn’t swayed Mehwish Hayat from speaking up for the item number and defending the lyrics, claiming them to be “empowering.” Her statement received a mixed reaction, dividing online users and starting a debate about what the definition of empowerment really means.

To do these dance numbers has been my choice. As an actress and performer it is my job. As a woman I find my work empowering. Dance to me is aesthetically the purest form of art. https://t.co/KzGNoXJXhU
Incase you’ve missed it here’s the link ☝🏻

— Mehwish Hayat TI (@MehwishHayat) June 21, 2019

After her tweet about feeling empowered, Mehwish referenced Madonna’s ‘Billboard’ speech in 2016 and attributed her as a direct influence to be a “bad feminist.”

Madonna was accused of setting women back for objectifying herself sexually, insinuating that women do not have any sexuality to embrace or project. Mehwish’s thoughts are clearly reflected in this clip, with national backlash and demeaning criticism on the rise.

"… I am a bad feminist.” One of my heroes, Madonna speaking at the The Billboard Women in Music event in 2016.. Most inspiring and lots of food for thought . pic.twitter.com/8pynDvtfVU

— Mehwish Hayat TI (@MehwishHayat) June 24, 2019

While Mehwish was accused of romanticizing a song that objectified women, could this be an essential new wave of feminism, where the celebration of one’s body through lyrics like “don’t touch me boy, mein nahi toy,” for example set a new trend and tip the gender power struggle?

Have a rewatch of the music video:

Osman Khalid Butt Tried To Defend Mehwish Hayat After She Was Slut-Shamed

Mehwish Hayat Called Her Item Song “Empowering” But People Don’t Agree With Her