A British Member of Parliament has called for government action against actress Mehwish Hayat and Indian rapper Yo Yo Honey Singh after their music video, “Jatt Mehkma,” sparked outrage in the UK for featuring children carrying guns.
The video, released in November 2024 and now boasting nearly 40 million views on YouTube, shows young boys joining Mehwish’s character in a stylized shootout, using replica automatic weapons and shotguns. Filmed at Eastnor Castle in Herefordshire and in Birmingham’s city centre, the video’s depiction of minors in violent scenarios has drawn sharp criticism from both politicians and community leaders.
Manuela Perteghella, MP for Stratford-upon-Avon, has formally raised the issue with the UK Home Office, expressing “serious concerns about the use of imitation firearms and exposing minors to violent themes.”
According to Deadline, the Home Office is considering exclusion orders that could bar both Hayat and Singh from entering the UK. Such orders, if issued, are typically not made public, and the individuals involved would be notified privately.
The controversy has also drawn condemnation from Shaykh Paul Salahuddin Armstrong, director of the Association of British Muslims and a chaplain at the University of Birmingham. Armstrong described the video as a “profoundly disturbing” example of the “reckless glorification of violence,” especially given its use of British children and locations. He urged child protection authorities to investigate, though the UK’s media regulator Ofcom has limited power over online music videos.
Here’s the official music video:
The video was directed by Mihir Gulati and produced with support from UK-based Blue Bling Production House. Vipulkumar Sharma, the company’s founder, clarified that his team was only responsible for logistical support, distancing the company from the creative content.
In response to the backlash, the BBC Asian Network has reportedly dropped “Jatt Mehkma” from consideration for future playlists, stating that all tracks are evaluated for musical merit and relevance.
Neither Mehwish Hayat nor Yo Yo Honey Singh has commented publicly on the controversy. The UK Home Office and West Midlands Police have also declined to comment.
