Lungi Dance

"Lungi Dance" was released as the ninth single from the album. The launch of the original music of the film took place in Mumbai, where performances were seen by the film's music directors and cast members.{{cite web|url=http://entertainment.in.msn.com/gallery/chennai-express-audio-launch|title=Celebs at the audio launch of Chennai Express|publisher=MSN Entertainment|accessdate=30 December 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131230234728/http://entertainment.in.msn.com/gallery/chennai-express-audio-launch|archive-date=30 December 2013|url-status=dead}} The star-studded event's telecast rights were sold to a TV channel for INR48 crore (US$7.7 million).{{cite web|url=http://businessofcinema.com/business/chennai-express-satellite-rights-sold-for-rs-480-million/88541|title='Chennai Express' satellite rights sold for Rs. 480 million!|publisher=Business of Cinema|accessdate=30 December 2013|date=1 August 2013}} The song is said to have significantly more popularised the lungi,{{cite web|url=http://www.thehindu.com/todays-paper/tp-national/tp-tamilnadu/madras-checks-still-do-the-lungi-dance/article5034039.ece|title=Madras checks still do the Lungi Dance|work=The Hindu|date=18 August 2013|accessdate=2014-01-06|author=Susanna Myrtle Lazarus}} a traditional dress in India.

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File:Rajinikanth at the Inauguration of MGR Statue.jpg

The song was composed by Yo Yo Honey Singh, as a tribute to Indian movie actor Rajinikanth.MovieReviewPreview.com, [http://www.moviereviewpreview.com/chennai-express-exclusive-lungi-dance-song-review/12783/ "Chennai Express Exclusive: Lungi Dance Song Review"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170224053152/http://www.moviereviewpreview.com/chennai-express-exclusive-lungi-dance-song-review/12783/ |date=24 February 2017 }}, MovieReviewPreview.com, July 31, 2013. Retrieved February 25, 2017.

"Lungi Dance" received mainly mixed reviews from critics in India. Mohar Basu of Koimoi wrote in his review, "I am quite assured that not every Rajni fan has Lungi as their favorite attire and neither will they appreciate Lassi in their coconut! Not that I was expecting meaning in the lyrics of the song, but the song's words are as meaningless as the aimless Deepika Padukone shaking her leg in this too-desperate-to-be-funny song."{{cite web|url=http://www.koimoi.com/bollywood-popular/chennai-express-song-review-srks-lungi-dance-is-a-well-intentioned-but-racist-tribute/|title=Chennai Express Song Review: SRK's Lungi Dance is a Well Intentioned But Racist Tribute|publisher=Koimoi|first=Mohar |last=Basu|date=30 July 2013|accessdate=6 January 2014}} The Firstpost review said, "I may have to go swallow some Kafka and Faulkner after this column to feel smart again, but at least I know that I have done my Patient Zero duty in spreading the Lungi Dance virus. Thalaivar, everyone!{{cite news|url=http://www.firstpost.com/bollywood/srk-salutes-rajini-you-cant-miss-the-lungi-dance-1013855.html|title=SRK salutes Rajini: you can't miss the 'lungi dance'|date=6 August 2013|accessdate=6 January 2014|first=Anuya |last=Jakatdar|work=Firstpost}}

The film's music composing duo, Vishal–Shekhar, were under the impression that they were the only musicians working on Chennai Express. Meanwhile, Honey Singh was asked by the film director to perform in the promotional song of "Lungi Dance". When rumours surfaced about Honey Singh's involvement, Vishal Dadlani tweeted, "It's hilarious and pathetic how desperately this tacky rape-rapper is trying to ride on the fame of SRK and Chennai Express (sic)".{{cite web|url=http://www.ematterz.com/celebrity-gossip/vishal-shekhar-say-no-to-srks-lungi-dance|title=Vishal-Shekhar Say No To SRK's 'Lungi Dance'|publisher=EMatterz|accessdate=30 December 2013|author=}} The rumour turned out to be true and the composers felt cheated. Dadlani and Shekhar Ravjiani did not promote the film's music nor attended the film's promos.{{cite web|url=http://ibnlive.in.com/news/chennai-express-vishalshekhar-upset-with-srk-over-lungi-dance/411119-8-66.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130804021001/http://ibnlive.in.com/news/chennai-express-vishalshekhar-upset-with-srk-over-lungi-dance/411119-8-66.html|url-status=dead|archive-date=4 August 2013|title=Chennai Express: Vishal-Shekhar upset with SRK over 'Lungi Dance'?|publisher=IBN Live|accessdate=30 December 2013|date=1 August 2013}}

Stand-up comedian Aravind SA created a parody of the song called "Chapathi Song".{{Cite web|url=https://www.deccanchronicle.com/nation/current-affairs/200519/chennai-aravinds-parody-of-lungi-dance-goes-viral.html|title=Chennai: Aravind's parody of Lungi Dance' goes viral|work=Deccan Chronicle|date=20 May 2019 }}

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Category:2013 songs

Category:Indian songs

Category:Yo Yo Honey Singh songs

Category:Songs written by Yo Yo Honey Singh

Category:Songs written for Hindi-language films

Category:Pop-folk songs

Category:Indian pop songs