21 October,2026 07:30 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondent
Sona Mohapatra and Daler Mehndi. Pics via Instagram
Singer Daler Mehndi has found himself at the centre of a controversy after Uttarakhand Cabinet Minister Subodh Uniyal publicly reprimanded him during a cultural event, alleging that the singer appeared disoriented and drunk and failed to perform as expected. While several members of the entertainment industry, including Mika Singh, Kapil Sharma, Palash Sen, Alisha Chinai, Anupam Kher and Badshah, have backed the veteran singer, singer Sona Mohapatra has now weighed in on the incident from different perspectives.
In an Instagram post, Sona recalled watching Daler perform at the Sufi Heritage Festival at Delhi's Sunder Nursery on March 1, 2026. She said she and her team had stayed back after her own performance to watch the singer, expecting a Sufi-oriented set.
"What unfolded was heartbreaking. From where we watched, Daler ji appeared disoriented, struggled to hold a note, and kept repeating the same musical phrase," she wrote, adding that audience members gradually left the venue.
Sona also expressed concern for the organisers, who had invested their resources and reputation in the event. She acknowledged that she did not know whether Daler's management or family had prior knowledge of the difficulties she claimed to have witnessed.
Addressing the ongoing controversy, she wrote, "I do not know Daler ji's personal circumstances or health, and wouldn't presume to diagnose what we witnessed. I also believe that publicly humiliating an artist is no solution."
However, she stressed that an artist's legacy should not overshadow their responsibility towards audiences. "A veteran deserves dignity, empathy and gratitude for a lifetime of contribution. And an audience deserves an honest performance, or at the very least, an honest acknowledgement when that is no longer possible," she said.
Sona further questioned whether the minister's manner of raising his objection should invalidate the substance of his complaint, adding that respect and professional accountability must go hand in hand.
Meanwhile, speaking to ANI, Uniyal alleged that Daler had lip-synced during the performance despite being paid Rs 35 lakh. He claimed the singer appeared disoriented and was unable to stand properly. These remain the minister's allegations, while Daler has not been quoted responding to the claims in the supplied account.
The controversy has sparked a wider debate about treating veteran artists with dignity while holding performers accountable to the audiences who pay to see them.
