Anupam Kher has come out strongly in defence of Daler Mehndi after the Punjabi singer’s performance at a cultural event in Uttarakhand was stopped mid-song by a politician who accused him of being drunk — an allegation that could not be confirmed.
Mehndi, the voice behind ‘Tunak Tunak Tun’, ‘Bolo Ta Ra Ra’ and ‘Ho Jayegi Balle Balle’, was performing at the Siddhpeeth Maa Kunjapuri Tourism and Development Fair in New Tehri on Sunday night when Cabinet minister Subodh Uniyal walked up onto the stage, halted the performance and accused the singer of being inebriated. A video of the incident has gone viral on social media, showing a visibly bewildered Mehndi as the minister shouts at him. “Why are you making a fool of the people? Are you drunk? You can’t even speak, so how are you going to sing,” Uniyal is heard saying in the clip.
Kher, who shared a video response and a lengthy note on the matter, called Mehndi “one of the finest human beings” he has met. “I’ve known Daler ji for 25 to 30 years. I know that he does not drink, and I personally know that he has not been keeping well for two-three years,” Kher said, questioning why the humiliation had to happen on a public stage. “Minister ji, you might have an issue with his performance. You might even be upset. But was it necessary to go up on stage and humiliate him like that in front of everyone? The same thing could have been said to him privately, with respect.”
The veteran actor urged the film industry to rally behind the singer — and several already have. Mehndi’s brother Mika Singh, comedian Kapil Sharma, rapper Badshah and actor Sudesh Berry all voiced support, while singer Sona Mohapatra said she had witnessed Mehndi appearing “disoriented” and expressed concern for his health rather than casting judgement. The episode has reopened an uncomfortable conversation about how public figures are treated on stage — and whether a complaint about a performance ever justifies a public humiliation.
