Singer Daler Mehndi was recently reprimanded by Uttarakhand Cabinet minister Subodh Uniyal over his performance at the Siddhpeeth Maa Kunjapuri Tourism and Development Fair in New Tehri on Sunday. After allegations surfaced that he was under the influence of alcohol and unable to sing, there was an outpouring of support for him from the film and music fraternity.
Sona Mohapatra , who also previously described her experience of watching Daler perform as less than ideal, doubled down on her statement.
We were asked to make full payment of ₹ 35 lakh in advance to the artiste; hotels were also booked in advance. This fact was revealed only when he was interrupted. “From where we watched, Daler ji appeared disoriented, struggled to hold a note and kept repeating the same musical phrase. The overall production was also deeply disappointing. We watched audience members gradually leave, people who had paid good money and come with great expectations,” she wrote. This came amid contrasting support from Daler’s brother, Mika Singh, and others in the film and music fraternity. Denying that he drinks alcohol, it was claimed that he was unwell on the day. If he was unwell, he should not have come to perform. I have nothing personal against Mehndi nor any intention to hurt him, but such a big artiste, knowing his condition, should have refused to perform.”
Speaking to PTI, Minister Uniyal said , “Such a big artiste, he should have informed us about this. When the controversy reached a boiling point on Wednesday, Sona recalled watching Daler perform at the second edition of the Sufi Heritage Festival.
