The massive public showdown involving legendary Punjabi singer Daler Mehndi at a recent Navratri event in Uttarakhand has sent shockwaves through the entertainment industry. Following the viral incident where a cabinet minister stopped the singer mid-performance and accused him of lip-syncing and being intoxicated, veteran Bollywood actor Anupam Kher has stepped forward to fiercely defend the pop icon.
Taking to his social media handles, Kher released a heartfelt and strongly worded video expressing his deep disappointment over the treatment meted out to the celebrated artist.
Here is a complete breakdown of Anupam Kher’s viral video message, his defense of Daler Mehndi, and his bold appeal to the Indian entertainment industry!
‘Iss Tarah Ka Public Lanchan…’
In his video message, Anupam Kher looked visibly upset by the viral clips of Daler Mehndi being publicly berated on stage. Addressing the issue, the veteran actor highlighted the singer’s monumental contributions to the Indian music industry over the past three decades.
Calling out the disrespect shown to an artist of his stature, Kher stated, “Iss tarah ka public lanchan kisi bhi artist ke liye apmaan janak hai” (This kind of public slander/humiliation is insulting for any artist). He emphasized that Daler Mehndi is a global ambassador of Indian music and Punjabi pop, and publicly accusing him of performing under the influence of alcohol without concrete proof is an attempt to tarnish a legacy built on years of hard work.
Kher noted that while organizers have the right to question technical issues, halting a live concert to publicly humiliate an artist in front of thousands of fans crosses a major line of decency.
Urging The Industry To Unite
What made Kher’s video even more powerful was his direct appeal to the Indian film and music fraternities. The actor pointed out that the industry often remains silent when artists face unwarranted public harassment from figures of authority.
Kher passionately urged singers, actors, and event performers to unite and stand by Daler Mehndi during this controversy. He warned that if the industry normalizes politicians or organizers insulting artists on stage, it sets a dangerous precedent for every performer in the country. “Today it is Daler Mehndi, tomorrow it could be anyone else. The fraternity must support him,” Kher asserted.
एक-दो दिन पहले एक वीडियो देखा, जिसमें कोई मंत्री जी मंच पर दलेर मेहंदी जी से जिस तरह बात कर रहे थे, उसे देखकर बहुत दुख हुआ। मैं दलेर जी को बहुत सालों से जानता हूँ। यह भी जानता हूँ कि पिछले कुछ समय से उनकी तबीयत ठीक नहीं रही है। मंत्री जी, आपको उनकी प्रस्तुति से शिकायत हो सकती है। नाराज़गी भी हो सकती है। लेकिन सबके सामने मंच पर जाकर इस तरह उन्हें अपमानित करना ज़रूरी था क्या? यही बात उनसे अलग बैठकर, इज़्ज़त से भी तो कही जा सकती थी। एक कलाकार अपनी मेहनत से जो पहचान और सम्मान कमाता है, उसके पीछे पूरी ज़िंदगी लगी होती है। दलेर जी ने पिछले तीस-पैंतीस सालों से अपने गानों से हम सबको ख़ुशी दी है। उस योगदान की कुछ तो क़द्र होनी चाहिए। दलेर जी, मैंने आपको हमेशा एक नेकदिल, प्यार बाँटने वाले इंसान के रूप में जाना है। जहाँ तक मैं आपको जानता हूँ, आप शराब भी नहीं पीते। आपको यह सब सहना पड़ा, इसका मुझे बहुत अफ़सोस है। अपनी इंडस्ट्री के साथियों से भी कहना चाहूँगा—जो लोग दलेर जी को जानते हैं, वे अपनी बात ज़रूर रखें। उनके साथ खड़े हों। किसी के अच्छे स्वभाव के बारे में, उसकी इंसानियत के बारे में अपने अनुभव से दो शब्द कहना भी बहुत मायने रखता है। ऐसे वक़्त में एक साथी के लिए इतना तो हम कर ही सकते हैं। दलेर जी, आप बेहतरीन कलाकार हैं और उतने ही प्यारे इंसान भी। अपना ख़याल रखिए। भगवान आपको अच्छी सेहत दे। मेरा प्यार और सम्मान हमेशा आपके साथ है। 🙏❤️
— Anupam Kher (@AnupamPKher) October 20, 2026
The Uttarakhand Concert Controversy
For the unversed, the controversy erupted during the Siddhpeeth Maa Kunjapuri Fair in Uttarakhand. Daler Mehndi, who was reportedly paid ₹35 lakhs for the appearance, was performing his hit tracks when Cabinet Minister Subodh Uniyal abruptly marched onto the stage.
The minister grabbed the microphone, stopped the show, and accused Mehndi of unprofessionalism. Uniyal publicly claimed that the singer was lip-syncing to pre-recorded tracks and alleged that he was performing under the influence of alcohol at a religious fair. The video of the minister shouting at the singer instantly went viral, dividing the internet. While some locals supported the minister, thousands of fans and now industry veterans like Anupam Kher have heavily criticized the politician’s aggressive and humiliating behavior.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Why is Anupam Kher defending Daler Mehndi?
Anupam Kher released a video defending Daler Mehndi after the singer was publicly humiliated and accused of being drunk by a minister during a live concert in Uttarakhand. Kher called the incident a “public lanchan” (slander) and demanded respect for the veteran artist.
What happened at Daler Mehndi’s Uttarakhand concert?
During the Siddhpeeth Maa Kunjapuri Fair, Uttarakhand Cabinet Minister Subodh Uniyal stopped Daler Mehndi’s performance mid-way, publicly accusing him of lip-syncing and being intoxicated.
What did Anupam Kher ask the entertainment industry to do?
Kher urged the film and music fraternity to break their silence and stand united in support of Daler Mehndi, warning that staying quiet sets a bad precedent for the respect and safety of all performing artists.
Has Daler Mehndi responded to the drunk allegations?
Daler Mehndi’s team has firmly denied the allegations of intoxication, calling the minister’s behavior highly disrespectful and an attempt to grab cheap publicity.
