Mika Singh: Daler Mehndi broke down over Rs 35 lakh concert row

Daler Mehndi’s Navratri concert in Uttarakhand has turned into a family crisis. His brother Mika Singh told reporters on October 23 that Daler broke down crying on a phone call the day after a video showed a state minister halting the show and accusing the singer of performing under the influence of alcohol.

What the viral video showed

The clip that set off the row shows Uttarakhand minister Subodh Uniyal stopping Daler Mehndi mid-performance. Uniyal can be heard saying, You can’t even speak. How will you perform? He also said the organisers had paid the singer Rs 35 lakh and that performing in that condition disrespected the spirit of Navratri and the audience.

Daler Mehndi has not yet made a public statement. Mika Singh has stepped in with multiple videos asking the Uttarakhand government to get Uniyal to apologise to his brother on camera.

Mika Singh’s account of the breakdown

At the press conference, Mika said he first learned of the row after finishing his own show in Surat. He tried calling Daler that night, but the singer did not answer. When they finally spoke the next day, Daler began crying before Mika could say anything.

When I called Paaji the next day, he broke down crying because he was emotional. I hadn’t even said anything, and he had already started crying, Mika recalled.

Mika said he often speaks bluntly with his brother and might have scolded him for performing while unwell. Instead, he told Daler that if his health was not good, he should not have said yes, and that he should have answered firmly if a minister spoke to him disrespectfully. Daler’s response, as quoted by Mika, was: Mika, you know I cannot speak to anyone by shouting.

What happened next

• Mika advised Daler not to answer calls or discuss the matter immediately.
• Both brothers later received calls from Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami, who assured them they would always be welcome in the state.
• Mika has continued to post videos seeking a public, on-camera apology from minister Subodh Uniyal.

Why the row matters for fans

For Hindi film and music fans, the episode is more than a backstage spat. A senior live performer was halted in front of a festive audience, a fee of Rs 35 lakh became part of the public record, and a family member had to become the spokesperson. Mika said he has spoken up for others in the past, but this was different because Daler is family and he believes his brother is innocent.

The next few days will show whether the Uttarakhand government responds, whether Uniyal apologises, or whether Daler Mehndi finally tells his side of the story. Until then, the viral video and Mika Singh’s defence are the two versions circulating.

Source: India Today