Daler Mehndi row: Several celebrities back singer amid public humiliation; urge respect for senior artists
The controversy has brought together several figures from the entertainment industry in support of Mehndi.
PTC News Desk: Several celebrities from music fraternity have extended their support to veteran Punjabi singer Daler Mehndi after Uttarakhand minister Subodh Uniyal accused him of being under the influence of alcohol during a performance at the Kunjapuri Mela in Tehri Garhwal on October 18. A video of the minister confronting the singer on stage went viral on social media, triggering a debate over the treatment of artists and their responsibility towards audiences.
Mika Singh strongly defends his brother
Singer Mika Singh, Daler Mehndi’s younger brother, strongly rejected the allegations that the veteran singer had consumed alcohol before performing. Mika said his brother had not been keeping well and had recently undergone major surgery. He questioned the claims about Daler’s alleged drinking habits and challenged those making the allegations to provide evidence. Mika also said artists sometimes honour their professional commitments even when they are unwell.
He further criticised the public treatment of his brother, arguing that an artist who had contributed significantly to the music industry deserved respect and dignity.
Badshah calls for respect for senior artists
Rapper Badshah also came out in support of Daler Mehndi. In a message shared on social media, he described Mehndi as a legend and said that while people could express disappointment with a performance, publicly humiliating an artist was deeply upsetting.
Badshah stressed that senior artists deserved dignity, particularly when they might be going through difficult circumstances.
Kapil Sharma urges people to show compassion
Comedian and actor Kapil Sharma supported Mehndi by sharing Mika Singh's message. He said the singer had undergone serious surgery, adding that people should be more understanding because they might not know what someone was experiencing privately.
Harshdeep Kaur, Shaan express support
Singer Harshdeep Kaur described Mehndi as a legend and suggested that he appeared to have been unwell during the performance. She said he was known for his powerful voice and energetic stage presence.
Singer Shaan also praised Mehndi’s contribution to music, calling him an original rock star. Meanwhile, Euphoria frontman Palash Sen shared an emotional message highlighting Mehndi’s contribution to Indian music and the joy his songs had brought to millions of people.
The controversy
The controversy erupted during Mehndi’s performance at the Kunjapuri Mela in Uttarakhand on October 18. Minister Subodh Uniyal reportedly interrupted the performance, questioned the singer’s ability to perform and alleged that he had consumed alcohol. The minister also raised concerns about the quality of the performance and the reported payment of ₹35 lakh.
The allegations have not been independently established. Mika Singh and other supporters suggested that Mehndi’s health problems could have affected his performance, while the incident prompted wider debate about both the dignity of artists and the expectations of audiences who pay to attend performances.
The controversy has brought together several figures from the entertainment industry in support of Mehndi. While many have criticised the public confrontation, the debate has also raised questions about professional accountability and the importance of handling complaints about performances respectfully.