24 October,2026 12:12 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondent
Mika Singh. Pic via Instagram
Singer Mika Singh has revealed his brother Daler Mehndi's reaction after his viral Uttarakhand concert controversy. He revealed that the veteran singer broke down crying when he called him the day after the controversy surrounding his performance at an event. Mika, who has been defending Daler since the start, added that his brother was shocked by the incident and struggled to figure out how to respond.
Addressing the media in a press conference on October 23, Mika revealed he got to know about the controversy after completing his own show in Surat. According to India Today, Mika said that he tried calling Daler that night, but the singer did not answer. Mika revealed that he was deeply disturbed by what had happened and took time to think about how he should address the issue publicly.
"When I called Paaji the next day, he broke down crying because he was emotional. I hadn't even said anything, and he had already started crying," Mika shared. He further added that he often speaks bluntly to his brother and thus could have normally reprimanded him for agreeing to perform while being unwell. However, Daler began crying before he could say anything, Mika said.
"I told him that if your health is not good, you should not say yes. Secondly, if the minister scolded you, you should have responded at that moment. You should have said, âI have not been bought, and I am not some other singer,'" Mika recalled. However, his brother told him that he was not comfortable raising his voice. Mika recalled Daler saying, "Mika, you know I cannot speak to anyone by shouting."
According to the singer, Daler was frightened and confused by the behaviour of the Minister and wondered why he was being treated disrespectfully. Mika further shared that he advised his brother not to answer calls or speak to anyone about the matter immediately. He added that Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami later called both him and Daler and assured them that they would always be welcome in the state.
A video went viral earlier this week showing Uttarakhand minister Subodh Uniyal interrupting Mehndi's concert midway. The minister accused the veteran singer of performing under the influence of alcohol. "You can't even speak. How will you perform?" he asked Mehndi.
He later alleged that the organisers had paid the singer Rs 35 lakh, but he was disrespecting the spirit of Navratri by performing in that condition.
Many celebrities have come to the singer's defence since the controversy erupted.
