Mika Singh Defends Brother Daler Mehndi After Uttarakhand Stage Controversy

Singer Daler Mehndi faced public accusations of being drunk during a stage performance at the Kunjapuri Fair in Uttarakhand's Tehri district on Sunday, October 18. During the Navratri cultural event, MLA Subodh Uniyal walked onto the stage, took the microphone, and accused the veteran singer of performing in an inebriated state. The MLA told the audience that they called him for entertainment, but he was making a fool of them and could not even speak properly.

Brother's Defense

Singer and brother Mika Singh defended Daler Mehndi through a video statement shared on social media, challenging the media and industry colleagues. Mika stated that his brother has been a superstar for 30 years and does not consume alcohol, claiming he will quit singing if anyone can prove otherwise. According to Mika, artists often fulfill concert commitments even when unwell. He revealed that Daler recently underwent a serious medical operation and likely performed despite health issues. In a 2024 interview with Navbharat Times, Daler Mehndi had also maintained that he avoids alcohol to keep his voice intact. Daler Mehndi is 59 years old and gained fame in the mid-1990s with hits like 'Bolo Tara Rara' and 'Tunak Tunak Tun'.

Context

Navratri cultural events across India frequently feature high-profile live musical performances by veteran artists who travel extensively for festive celebrations. Public figures and local leaders sometimes intervene directly on stage if event expectations or crowd standards are not met. Artists often push through physical exhaustion and medical recovery to honor prior concert commitments.