Politics · India Bureau
Anupam Kher backs Daler Mehndi following Uttarakhand minister's public criticism
Actor Anupam Kher has come out in support of singer Daler Mehndi after the performer faced a public rebuke from an Uttarakhand minister during an on-stage event. The incident has sparked discussion about professional conduct at state-sponsored cultural programmes.
LSN India ·

Bollywood veteran Anupam Kher has defended Punjabi singer Daler Mehndi following an awkward public confrontation at an event in Uttarakhand. The minister's on-stage criticism of the performer has drawn the actor's intervention, with Kher reportedly expressing concern over the manner in which the matter was handled.
The incident occurred during a cultural programme in the state, where the minister publicly admonished Mehndi, prompting questions about the nature of their disagreement and the appropriateness of addressing such matters in a public forum. Details surrounding the exact cause of friction between the two remain unclear, though reports suggest it may have involved issues related to the event's organisation or the performer's conduct.
Kher's defence of the singer underscores broader concerns within the entertainment industry about the treatment of artists at government-sponsored events. The actor's public backing lends weight to arguments that professional disputes, regardless of merit, should ideally be resolved through private channels rather than through public admonishment.
The episode reflects ongoing tensions between bureaucratic authority and the creative community in India, where state involvement in cultural programmes sometimes leads to friction over expectations and conduct. Mehndi, known for energetic performances and his contributions to Indian pop music, has not made a formal public statement regarding the incident at the time of reporting.