Singer Shilpa Rao shares performance video after microphone gets cut off at Mumbai music festival

Singer Shilpa Rao faced technical issues and an unexpected microphone cutoff during her set at the Bollywood Music Project in Mumbai on October 24, 2026. Performing at the tenth anniversary edition of the festival alongside artists like Anu Malik and Himesh Reshammiya, her first microphone malfunctioned, and a replacement faced similar problems. While she was singing the track Chuttamalle from Devara: Part 1, her microphone was switched off, leaving her surprised.

Unfinished Set

Singer-songwriter Kutle Khan and his band, The Kutle Khan Project, began performing on the other side of the stage while Shilpa was still present. When she returned to thank the audience for their patience, her microphone was switched off again before Kutle Khan's set began, preventing her from properly wrapping up her performance. Following the incident, Shilpa posted an Instagram message stating that a piece of her heart broke that night and promised to return to Mumbai. Her husband, Ritesh Krishnan, also voiced anger over the treatment, calling it painful to watch.

Context

Music festivals often feature multiple stages and tight schedules to keep performances running on time. Technical difficulties and overlapping set times can occasionally lead to awkward situations for artists on stage. Fan support online helped bring widespread attention to the unexpected interruption.