Bollywood Stars Back Daler Mehndi After Uttarakhand Minister Rebukes Him On Stage

Several prominent film and music industry members have rallied behind veteran singer Daler Mehndi after Uttarakhand cabinet minister Subodh Uniyal publicly scolded him on stage during a cultural event. The incident occurred on Sunday night at the Siddhpeeth Maa Kunjapuri Tourism and Development Fair in New Tehri, where the minister objected to the singer's conduct and questioned his ability to perform.

Minister Explains Action

Subodh Uniyal later stated that Daler had been paid 35 lakh rupees to perform at the Navratri event. The minister claimed the artist appeared disoriented, could barely stand, and was only lip-syncing instead of singing live. He argued that the singer should not have accepted the booking if he was not physically fit, adding that the organisers had also booked first-class tickets and hotels for the team.

Industry Backlash

Actor Rajpal Yadav shared a video defending the singer, stating that Daler has been dealing with health issues and does not drink alcohol. Rajpal criticized the minister's language as unfit for his high office. Numerous other celebrities, including Anupam Kher, Sona Mohapatra, Badshah, Mika Singh, Shaan, Palash Sen, Kapil Sharma, Jasmine Bhasin, and Aly Goni, also spoke out in support. Jasmine Bhasin and Kapil Sharma noted that organisers should address grievances privately rather than humiliate an artist publicly, with Kapil pointing out that Daler recently underwent a serious surgery.

Context

Public disagreements between event organisers, local leaders, and visiting performers occasionally spill onto the stage during high-profile regional festivals in India. These flashpoints often highlight the tension between commercial event contracts and the unpredictable health challenges faced by aging artists on tour.