Daler Mehndi Was Paid ₹35 Lakh for Uttarakhand Event, Says Minister After Criticising Singer’s Performance

Uttarakhand :Punjabi singer Daler Mehndi was offered ₹35 lakh to perform at the cultural evening of the Siddhpeeth Maa Kunjapuri Tourism and Development Fair in Uttarakhand, Cabinet Minister Subodh Uniyal has said, explaining why he publicly reprimanded the singer during the event.

The incident occurred on Sunday night when Uniyal interrupted Mehndi’s performance, expressing displeasure over what he described as the singer’s unprofessional conduct on stage.

Speaking to , the minister said the singer had been invited because of his reputation and was expected to deliver a performance that matched his stature.

“He is a big artist. If a big artist doesn’t do justice to their art,” Uniyal said, adding that Mehndi appeared disoriented and was seemingly unable to stand properly. The minister also alleged that the singer was lip-syncing rather than singing live.

Minister Questions Singer’s Performance

During the event, Uniyal was heard questioning Mehndi’s ability to perform and expressing disappointment over the experience being offered to the audience.

According to reports, the minister reminded the singer that people had gathered to hear him perform and expected him to meet those expectations. He also emphasised the importance of maintaining decorum, particularly as the programme was being held during Navratri.

A video of the confrontation subsequently circulated on social media, showing the minister criticising the performance and telling Mehndi that the audience had come to be entertained.

Allegations Remain Unverified

Questions were also raised about whether the singer was under the influence of alcohol. However, these allegations have not been independently confirmed and should not be treated as established facts.

The episode has drawn attention to expectations surrounding paid performances at public cultural events, particularly when prominent artists are invited to entertain audiences.