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Uttarakhand minister Subodh Uniyal reacted to the viral video, alleging Daler Mehndi seemed disoriented and was lip-syncing despite being offered Rs 35 lakh for the performance.
Daler Mehndi Was Offered Rs 35 Lakh, Appeared ‘Disoriented On Stage’, Says Uttarakhand Minister
Singer Daler Mehndi recently hit the headlines after a video of his performance in Uttarakhand being interrupted by state cabinet minister Subodh Uniyal went viral on social media. The minister stopped Mehndi mid-performance at the Kunjapuri Mela in Tehri district during Navratri celebrations, and objected to the singer’s alleged conduct at the event. As per reports, he told Mehndi that the event was dedicated to the worship of Goddess Durga and that performing under the influence of alcohol was inappropriate on such an occasion.
Now, Uttarakhand minister Subodh Uniyal has reacted to the viral video that shows him losing his cool at Daler Mehndi. He alleged that the singer seemed ‘disoriented’ on stage, and was lip-syncing to his songs despite being offered Rs 35 lakh for the performance.
‘He Was Not Even Singing’, Says Subodh Uniyal
Explaining why he expressed his displeasure, State Minister Subodh Uniyal said Daler Mehndi, despite being a prominent artist, had failed to do justice to his art. Uniyal alleged that the singer appeared disoriented and struggled to maintain his balance on stage. He also claimed that Mehndi was lip-syncing to his songs rather than singing live.
While speaking with ANI, the minister said, “He is a big artist. If a big artist doesn’t do justice to their art…He seemed disoriented on stage and didn’t seem to be able to even keep standing.”
#WATCH | Uttarakhand: On a viral video of him losing his cool at singer Daler Mehndi at an event, State Minister Subodh Uniyal says, “He is a big artist. If a big artist doesn’t do justice to their art…He seemed disoriented on stage and didn’t seem to be able to even keep standing. Besides this, he was only lip-syncing to his songs. I told him that he is a big artist and he should do justice to his art; he had been offered Rs 35 lakh to come and perform, but he was not even singing. So, I expressed my resentment…”— ANI (@ANI) October 19, 2026
Daler Mehndi Was Offered Rs 35 Lakh For The Performance
Subodh Uniyal further added that the singer was offered Rs 35 lakh for the performance, and yet he wasn’t singing on stage. “Besides this, he was only lip-syncing to his songs. I told him that he is a big artist and he should do justice to his art; he had been offered Rs 35 lakh to come and perform, but he was not even singing. So, I expressed my resentment,” said the minister.
What Is The Controversy About?
The controversy erupted after Punjabi singer Daler Mehndi’s performance at the Kunjapuri Fair in Uttarakhand’s Tehri district on October 18, during Navratri celebrations. State Cabinet Minister Subodh Uniyal walked onto the stage and confronted the singer, alleging that he appeared intoxicated and was lip-syncing instead of singing live.
“There is a Durga Mata programme for Navratri, and you are singing at the event after drinking alcohol, which is not appropriate,” NDTV quoted the minister saying.
He also questioned the singer’s ability to speak clearly. He was heard saying, “Bol toh jaa nahi raha, gaana kya gaoge?” which translates to, “You can’t even speak, so how are you going to sing?”
The incident went viral on social media. However, the allegation that Mehndi was intoxicated has not been independently verified. Event organisers reportedly said the singer’s team attributed his poor vocal delivery to ill health.
Quick Answers
Ask News18Uttarakhand cabinet minister Subodh Uniyal interrupted Daler Mehndi mid-performance during the Kunjapuri Mela because the singer appeared disoriented on stage, struggled to stand, and was allegedly lip-syncing instead of singing live at a religious event dedicated to Goddess Durga.
Ask News18October 20, 2026, 10:19 IST