Anupam Kher has stepped into the row around Daler Mehndi’s appearance at the Siddhpeeth Maa Kunjapuri Tourism and Development Fair in Uttarakhand, telling fans that the singer deserves support rather than a public dressing-down. The actor’s comments, shared in an Instagram video, came after a clip from the Maa Kunjapuri Mela in Tehri Garhwal went viral.
The moment at the centre of the debate was brief but sharp. State Cabinet minister Subodh Uniyal walked onto the stage during the Navratri performance and questioned the set. He accused the singer of performing after consuming alcohol and asked whether the vocals were live or lip-synced. Footage of the interruption spread quickly, with Daler Mehndi’s brother Mika Singh, comedian Kapil Sharma and singer Badshah all voicing support before Kher added his take.
Anupam Kher’s defence
In his video, Kher said he was abroad but had watched the performance clip. He described knowing Daler Mehndi for 25-30 years and said he could vouch for him. “I can say he doesn’t drink and he’s one of the finest human beings,” Kher said, adding that the singer has been unwell for the last two to three years and that he learned this through a doctor both men know.
Kher suggested Mehndi may have had a prior commitment with the organisers and chose to honour it. Even if parts of the show were lip-synced, he argued, that was not grounds for an on-stage reprimand. He also asked the film and music industry to speak up, saying it was not only Mika Singh’s responsibility to defend his brother.
What the minister said
After the clip surfaced, minister Subodh Uniyal told reporters that the singer had been paid ₹35 lakh for the performance, with travel and accommodation arrangements included. He alleged that Mehndi appeared disoriented and was not doing justice to his art.
Kher acknowledged that the minister may have had a legitimate complaint about the presentation. His objection was to the venue. “Was it necessary to go on stage and insult them like this?” he asked. “The same thing could have been said by sitting apart from them with respect.”
Why the moment is resonating
The story has become bigger than a single performance because it touches a familiar question for concert-goers and artists: when should a disagreement with an entertainer become public?
- Anupam Kher says he has known Daler Mehndi for 25-30 years.
- Supporters, including Mika Singh, Kapil Sharma and Badshah, called the stage rebuke unfair.
- The minister claims the singer was paid ₹35 lakh and seemed disoriented.
- Kher pointed to Mehndi’s 35-year contribution to music.
For an audience that follows every airport look and red-carpet appearance, this is also a reminder that an artist’s reputation can shift in one viral clip. Kher framed his support around character and professionalism, not just sympathy: he argued that showing up for a commitment while unwell is a sign of professionalism, and that any concern about the show should have been handled backstage.
What happens next
The minister has not publicly responded to Kher’s comments, and Daler Mehndi has not issued a fresh statement. The public discussion appears split. Some viewers see the minister’s frustration as fair, especially given the reported fee. Others agree with Kher that no artist should be corrected like that in front of a crowd.
The next update will likely come from Mehndi’s camp or the fair organisers. For now, the episode is a case study in how quickly a local cultural event can become a national Bollywood conversation.
Source: Hindustan Times
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