‘Daler Mehndi was paid Rs 35 lakh’: Uttarakhand minister on accusing singer of being drunk

Subodh Uniyal and Daler Mehndi. Pics via X

Singer Daler Mehndi recently stirred a controversy after a video of the singer's performance being interrupted by state cabinet minister Subodh Uniyal in Uttarakhand went viral on social media. The minister allegedly stopped Mehndi mid-performance at the Kunjapuri Mela in Tehri district during Navratri celebrations. The minister objected to the singer's alleged conduct, accusing him of being drunk. He reportedly told Mehndi that the event was dedicated to worship Goddess Durga and that performing under the influence of alcohol was inappropriate.

Uttarakhand Minister breaks silence on Daler Mehndi controversy

Now, the minister has reacted to the viral video showing him losing his cool at Daler Mehndi. Uniyal claimed that the singer seemed ‘disoriented' on stage and that he was lip-syncing to his songs despite being offered Rs 35 lakh for the performance.

Explaining his displeasure, Uniyal stated that Daler Mehndi, despite being a prominent artist, failed to do justice to his art. He further alleged that the singer seemed to be disoriented and struggled to balance on stage. While speaking with ANI, he said, "He is a big artist. If a big artist doesn't do justice to their art…He seemed disoriented on stage and didn't seem to be able to even keep standing."

Subodh Uniyal further shared that the singer was offered Rs 35 lakh for the performance, but still he wasn't singing on stage. "Besides this, he was only lip-syncing to his songs. I told him that he is a big artist and he should do justice to his art; he had been offered Rs 35 lakh to come and perform, but he was not even singing. So, I expressed my resentment," the minister said.

About the controversy

The controversy grabbed headlines after Punjabi singer Daler Mehndi's performance was interrupted. The incident happened at the Kunjapuri Fair in Uttarakhand's Tehri district on October 18, during Navratri celebrations. State Cabinet Minister Uniyal walked onto the stage and stopped the performance. Confronting the singer, he alleged that the artist appeared intoxicated and was lip-syncing the songs instead of singing live.

"There is a Durga Mata programme for Navratri, and you are singing at the event after drinking alcohol, which is not appropriate," the minister said, according to NDTV. He even questioned the singer's ability to speak clearly, saying, "Bol toh jaa nahi raha, gaana kya gaoge?" which translates to, "You can't even speak, so how are you going to sing?"

Meanwhile, Mehndi's brother Mika Singh has come to his defence.