Singers Mika Singh, Badshah and Harshdeep Kaur, along with comedian Kapil Sharma, have rallied behind Daler Mehndi after the veteran Punjabi singer faced criticism over his performance at a cultural event in Uttarakhand.
The controversy erupted on Sunday night during the Siddhpeeth Maa Kunjapuri Tourism and Development Fair in New Tehri, where Uttarakhand Cabinet minister and Narendra Nagar MLA Subodh Uniyal interrupted Mehndi's performance, alleging that the singer was inebriated. The allegation could not be independently verified.
Known for popular tracks such as Tunak Tunak Tun, Bolo Ta Ra and Ho Jayegi Balle Balle, the 59-year-old singer appeared disoriented as Uniyal confronted him on stage, according to a video of the incident circulating on social media.
“Why are you making a fool of the people? Are you drunk? You can’t even speak, so how are you going to sing?” the minister is heard asking in the video.
The incident prompted several members of the music and entertainment industry to criticise the public treatment of Mehndi, with many highlighting the need to show respect towards a veteran artist.
In an Instagram video shared on Tuesday, Mika Singh defended his elder brother, challenging the allegations about his sobriety and pointing to his decades-long career.
“I saw the news about my elder brother Daler Mehndi ji. You people have been spreading that: ‘Daler Mehndi was drunk while singing, he is unable to sing.’ First of all, I would like to ask you all — he has been a superstar for the last 30 years. Have you ever seen a glass of alcohol in his hand, or seen alcohol flowing freely at his birthday parties? I am talking about him, not me. You can say any nonsense about me, but not him,” Mika said.
The singer added that artists often honour professional commitments despite illness, suggesting that Mehndi might have been unwell during the performance.
“When you did not see anything yourself, how could you level such allegations against him? We artists often say yes when requested. Even if we have a 104-degree fever, it doesn't matter. If I am sick, and I have a show day after tomorrow, and I have already committed, then even if the budget is big or small, I will do it,” he said.
Mika further claimed that his brother had recently undergone major surgery and suggested that his health might have affected his performance.
“If he was not able to sing, he must have been unwell because he recently underwent a massive surgery. My brother had told me not to talk about this, but being a brother and a fan, I have the right to tell you the truth,” he added.
Mika also expressed disappointment over the manner in which Mehndi was confronted on stage.
Comedian Kapil Sharma subsequently shared Mika's post on Instagram, reiterating that the singer had recently undergone a serious surgery and urging people to be more considerate.
“@thedalermehndiofficial paji went through some serious surgery which people don't know. All we need to do is to be kinder towards others,” Sharma wrote.
“We don't know what someone is going through. Thank you @mikasingh paji for the clarification,” he added.
Badshah, meanwhile, took to his Instagram Story to condemn the public humiliation of the veteran singer, describing Mehndi as a legend who deserved dignity and respect.
“Publicly humiliating an artist is extremely disheartening,” he wrote, adding, “Daler Mehndi is a legend. Period. You can express disappointment, but publicly humiliating an artist who has given so much to our music industry is extremely disheartening. Legends deserve dignity, especially when they are vulnerable. Respect always.”
Singer Harshdeep Kaur also voiced her support for Mehndi, sharing a post on her Instagram Story in which she described him as a legend and suggested that he had been unwell during the performance.
“Daler Mehndi is a Legend. It definitely seems like he was very unwell that day otherwise, when on stage... he not just sings... he roars,” she said.
