Shilpa Rao’s Mumbai set cut short as mic switched off at Bollywood Music Project

Shilpa Rao’s set at the Bollywood Music Project’s 10th‑anniversary festival in Mumbai on Oct 24 was abruptly ended when her microphone and other gear were switched off. Organisers said the cut was needed because earlier shows ran over time, creating scheduling delays. As Rao tried to thank the crowd, the next act, folk‑rock singer Kutle Khan, began his performance, cutting off her closing remarks. Rao posted an emotional note on Instagram Stories, saying the night felt heartbreaking and that the audience’s chants kept her spirits up despite the interruption.

Reaction

Fans on X slammed the handling, calling it ‘horrible production’ and ‘appalling’ because Rao was not even given time to thank listeners. An attendee simply wrote, “This is just so disappointing.” The BMP team later apologised on Instagram, praising Rao’s legacy and explaining that large festivals involve complex logistics, extended earlier sets, and strict local authority curfew rules that forced a premature end. They added the delays were beyond their control and expressed regret to Rao, her team and the fans.

Context

Music festivals often run tight schedules, and curfew rules can force organizers to trim performances, especially when earlier acts overrun their allotted time.