‘He struggled to hold a note’

Singers Sona Mohapatra slams Daler Mehndi

Amid the controversy over Daler Mehndi’s performance in Uttarakhand, singer Sona Mohapatra questioned professional accountability in the performing arts, stressing that audiences also deserve respect.

 Sona took to Instagram, where she posted a long note. “I have been watching the controversy surrounding Daler Mehndi ji’s performance in Uttarakhand and feel compelled to share a personal experience. Not to disrespect a veteran, but because there is a larger, uncomfortable question here for all of us in the performing arts. On February 28, 2026, I headlined the first evening of the Sufi Heritage Festival at Delhi’s Sunder Nursery. Daler ji was the closing act the following evening, on March 1,” she wrote. 

She added: “What unfolded was heartbreaking. From where we watched, Daler ji appeared disoriented, struggled to hold a note and kept repeating the same musical phrase. And yet, none of us said anything. Not my team, not me. We stood there, uncomfortable and saddened, but silent. Out of respect. Which brings me to the uncomfortable part. Was that really respect? Or were we, through our silence, enabling something that deserved to be questioned? I have no knowledge of 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.”

She further wrote, “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.”

Anupam defends Daler Mehndi 

Veteran actor Anupam Kher has extended his support to singer Daler Mehndi after a video of Uttarakhand minister Subodh Uniyal confronting the singer on stage during a cultural event went viral.  Speaking about the incident, Anupam said, “I was not there, so I don't know exactly what happened. But I have known Daler Mehndi for the past 20-30 years, and I can say that he does not drink, as far as I know.

He is one of the finest human beings that I have met.” The actor added, “It is possible that he was not well. I have a friend, Dr. Jool, and I personally know that Daler has not been well for the past two to three years. It is possible that his commitment was with the organisers and he could not refuse. That is his professionalism, he stuck to his commitment. It is possible that he was lip-syncing.”