After an enormous social media backlash, singer Danyal Zafar clarified that the video of his new song ‘Blue Butterfly’ is not intended for the Pakistani audience.
In the interview with a local media outlet, Danyal Zafar revealed that he is currently working on a few of his English-language albums in Los Angeles and that those songs were not for the Pakistani music listeners. Song Blue Butterfly marked Danyal Zafar’s international debut.
Zafar, when asked about the visuals in the video said: “The entire video is aesthetically shot. It’s just this non-linear expression of art that was explored by the director and I, along with the team.”
Ground breaking @DanZafOfficial. Pure art! Blue butterfly is OUT NOW! https://t.co/GOUQMD3lZL
— Ali Zafar (@AliZafarsays) November 22, 2019
He added that he is aware that several people will not be able to connect with the video. Adding that: “We can’t do much about it. It’s a perceptive piece.”
Social media reactions
Danyal Zafar attracted extreme dissension on social media after he posted a short clip from the song. The social media users mocked Danyal Zafar for posting an ‘obscene’ video on social media.
Ok I've muted danyal zafar's tweet… Seen enough of that cheap ass blue butterfly yoga jungle shit…
— a (@arsalanahmedk) November 30, 2019
https://twitter.com/stayyawayyy_/status/1201462836603568128
Bas abb soch liya hai, danyal zafar ka blue butterfly suna kar sab ko torture karna hai
— scar (@shaheer_here) December 1, 2019
An array of reactions outpoured on social media on his video, with many social media users calling it a ‘lousy attempt at contemporary art’.
Even if it was his international debut, a score of social media viewed it as a failed attempt to imitate western singers. Many questioned if Danyal Zafar was emulating Zayn Malik in his video.
Danyal Zafar's new song, "Blue butterfly" is really good tbh pic.twitter.com/bN7kFcuDxQ
— Joey (@fahadyousuff) November 30, 2019
https://twitter.com/confusedbacchi/status/1201577897850540032
i’m glad we collectively agree danyal zafar’s blue butterfly sucks lmao
— 🔅 (@pkpopculture) November 30, 2019
The memes flourished on social media, comparing the song to Tahir Shah’s Eye to Eye and Angel.
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But as per Danyal’s assertion, the song was aimed at a selected audience hence, it received some appreciation too. They appreciated the visuals, music, and lyrics of the song.
https://twitter.com/KhadijaAufiya/status/1201565334211366912
Blue Butterfly’s video not for Pakistani audience, says Danyal Zafar https://t.co/JOpdFI1wIG pic.twitter.com/VW2Ssl7TRG
— Middle-East & Pakistan Times of News (@MiddleEastTon) December 1, 2019
His brother, Ali Zafar too appreciated his work and shared the video on his Twitter account.
The song Blue Butterfly is directed by Ash Gupta of 838 Media Group and stars Danyal Zafar and Slovenian actress Inja Zalta.