Punjabi singer Daler Mehndi has received support from actor Anupam Kher amid the controversy surrounding his performance at a cultural event in Uttarakhand. The row erupted after state Cabinet minister Subodh Uniyal publicly reprimanded the singer during the Maa Kunjapuri Mela in Tehri Garhwal, accusing him of performing after consuming alcohol. After the video went viral, Daler’s brother Mika Singh, comedian Kapil Sharma and singer Badshah came out in his support. Anupam has now defended the singer and urged members of the film industry to speak up for him.
He said he had known Daler for 25-30 years and vouched for his character, adding that the singer did not drink and was one of the finest human beings he knew. Anupam also highlighted Daler’s contribution to the music industry over the past 35 years, saying, “An artist earns recognition and respect through his hard work; he takes his whole life. He suggested that the singer might have had prior commitments to the event organisers and had chosen to honour them despite his health concerns. He further urged members of the film industry to stand up for Daler, arguing that even if the singer had lip-synced, he did not deserve to be reprimanded publicly. Daler ji has made us all happy with his songs for the past thirty-five years. That contribution should be appreciated. Daler ji, I have always known you as a kind-hearted, loving person. As long as I know you, you don’t even drink. You had to endure it all, I’m very sorry. Daler was performing at the Siddhpeeth Maa Kunjapuri Tourism and Development Fair during the Navratri celebrations when Uttarakhand Cabinet minister Subodh Uniyal walked onto the stage and criticised his performance. The minister accused the singer of performing after consuming alcohol and questioned why he had agreed to perform if he could not sing properly. He also questioned whether Daler was singing live or lip-syncing to a recording.
Revealing that he was currently abroad, the actor said he had watched the video of the singer’s performance. Anupam also said that Daler had been unwell for the past two to three years and said he knew this through a doctor they both knew. On Wednesday, Anupam took to Instagram to share a video in support of Daler.
The minister alleged that the singer appeared disoriented and was not doing justice to his art. Later, while speaking to the media, Uniyal explained his reaction, claiming that Daler had been paid ₹ 35 lakh for the performance, with travel and accommodation arrangements also covered.
The allegations, however, could not be confirmed. “I can say he doesn’t drink and he’s one of the finest human beings. He has been ill for 2-3 years.
Because we have a common friend, a doctor, and I have met him there several times, he is not well, and I personally know this.
Maybe he had earlier commitments with the organisation and he couldn’t say no to them; that’s his professionalism, that he stuck with his commitment,” Anupam said. Earlier reporting noted: Mehndi, known for hits such as “Tunak Tunak Tun”, “Bolo Ta Ra”, “Ho Jayegi Balle Balle” and others, was performing at the historic ‘Siddhpeeth Maa Kunjapuri Tourism and Development Fair’ in Uttarakhand’s New Tehri on Sunday night when Cabinet minister and Narendra Nagar MLA Subodh Uniyal expressed his displeasure with the singer’s performance.
Earlier reporting noted: Row over Daler Mehndi’s performance, Mika, Badshah and others back the singer New Delhi, Singers Mika Singh, Badshah and others have come out in defence of Daler Mehndi after the Punjabi singer’s performance at a cultural event in Uttarakhand ended up in a major controversy. Earlier reporting noted: The minister went up to the stage, stopped the performance and alleged that the singer was inebriated.
