Singer Shilpa Rao’s husband, Ritesh Krishnan, has expressed his anger and disappointment after her performance at the Bollywood Music Project (BMP) in Mumbai was cut short on Saturday, October 24. The singer’s microphone was switched off before she could finish her set, leaving her without a proper chance to thank the audience and sign off. The incident has since drawn criticism from concertgoers, with many questioning the organisers’ explanation for this behaviour.
Reacting to the incident, Ritesh said it was painful to watch his wife being treated that way, especially knowing how much her fans mean to her.
Shilpa Rao made her playback singing debut in 2007 with Tose Naina from Anwar, composed by Mithoon. She rose to wider recognition with Khuda Jaane from Bachna Ae Haseeno (2008) and went on to sing popular tracks such as Ghungroo from War, Bulleya from Ae Dil Hai Mushkil and Chaleya from Jawan. In a post shared on Instagram, Ritesh, who is aphotographer, visual artist, and live show/concert designer, spoke about his emotions after watching Shilpa’s performance come to an abrupt end. Her work has earned her widespread acclaim, including a National Film Award for Chaleya.
He said that while audiences know her for her voice and songs, he also understands the person behind the music and the importance of her connection with her fans.
BMP apologises to Shilpa Rao and her fans
Shilpa was among the performers at BMP’s 10th anniversary celebrations in Mumbai. Her set faced technical difficulties from the beginning, with her first microphone malfunctioning before a replacement was arranged. However, the second microphone also developed problems. She appeared surprised by the interruption. The situation became more uncomfortable when singer Kutle Khan and his band, The Kutle Khan Project, began performing on another section of the stage while Shilpa was still present. “We deeply apologise. At BMP, our mission is always to deliver an unparalleled live music experience for both our artists and their fans. We want to address the abrupt conclusion of Shilpa Rao’s performance at this weekend’s festival. First and foremost, we hold Shilpa Rao in the highest regard. We deeply value and respect her incredible legacy, her unparalleled artistry, and the profound impact she continues to make on the music industry. It was an absolute honour to have her on our lineup,” the statement read. They added, “Large-scale music festivals feature complex logistics and multi-artist lineups. The statement ended with another apology to the singer and those who had attended the festival to watch her perform: “We extend our sincerest apologies to Shilpa Rao, her team and most importantly, to her dedicated fans who came out to support her. We share in your disappointment and appreciate your understanding as we navigate the strict operational realities of live festival production,” they concluded.
After performing a few songs, Shilpa was singing Chuttamalle from Devara: Part 1 when her microphone was switched off. Following the backlash, the Bollywood Music Project issued a statement on Instagram shortly after midnight on October 25, apologising to Shilpa, her team and the audience.
The organisers said they held the singer in high regard and regretted that she had been unable to complete her performance. The organisers said that managing a festival with multiple performers could become challenging when earlier acts ran beyond their allotted time, affecting the rest of the schedule.
Despite strict planning and coordination, live events can experience unpredictable operational shifts, including extended sets from earlier performances.
