‘Art is life’: Rajpal Yadav joins celebrities backing Daler Mehndi amid controversy

After Anupam Kher, Mika Singh, Badshah and Kapil Sharma, actor Rajpal Yadav has come out in support of Punjabi singer Daler Mehndi.

The controversy erupted on Sunday night when Mehndi’s performance at a cultural event in Uttarakhand was cut short by a minister who accused the singer of being drunk.

Mehndi, best known for songs such as Tunak Tunak Tun, Bolo Ta Ra Ra and Ho Jayegi Balle Balle, was performing at the Siddhpeeth Maa Kunjapuri Tourism and Development Fair in New Tehri on Sunday night when Uttarakhand Cabinet minister and Narendra Nagar MLA Subodh Uniyal interrupted him.

Uniyal reportedly walked onto the stage, halted the performance and alleged that the singer was intoxicated. The claim could not be independently verified.

A video of the incident, which has circulated widely on social media, shows Mehndi appearing bewildered as the minister reprimands him. “Why are you making a fool of the people? Are you drunk? You can’t even speak, so how are you going to sing?” Uniyal is heard asking in the clip.

Coming out in support of Mehndi, Yadav shared a video on Instagram. “As a student of art, I want to share something with you. The way a respected minister said hurtful things and used indecent language against a legendary singer whose voice has touched people for decades does not suit someone holding such a position,” he said.

He added, “It seemed like you bought the art itself, which simply cannot be bought. Art is life, and you should respect life. And for your information, I will tell you that Daler Paaji does not drink alcohol. I have worked with him in Welcome To The Jungle. He is suffering from ill health, and people are trying to help him recover. The throne may come and go, but art will always hold a higher place, so you should respect it. God bless you.”

Meanwhile, Yadav has also been in the news over a long-running cheque-bounce case linked to a loan he took in 2010 to finance his directorial venture Ata Pata Laapata. The actor has questioned the amount being claimed and expressed his preference for an amicable resolution.