Entertainment · Music · 2 hrs ago
Sona Mohapatra questions Daler Mehndi’s performance and artist accountability
Daler Mehndi is at the centre of a controversy after a minister publicly reprimanded him during a cultural event in Uttarakhand and accused him of being intoxicated.
Singer Sona Mohapatra has added her own account, recalling that she watched Mehndi perform at a Sufi festival in Delhi earlier this year.
She said he appeared disoriented, struggled to hold a note and repeated a musical phrase, and that some audience members left.
Mohapatra said she did not know his personal circumstances or health and would not try to diagnose what she saw.
She questioned whether silence in the name of respect can enable problems, and said audiences deserve an honest performance or an honest explanation when that is not possible.
She also said veteran artists deserve dignity and empathy, while performers and their teams have responsibilities to audiences who pay to attend.
The controversy has prompted debate, with several entertainers backing Mehndi, but no further action is described.
Sona Mohapatra called for professional accountability after a controversy over Daler Mehndi’s performance at a cultural event in Uttarakhand.
She said audiences deserve an honest performance, while also arguing that veteran artists deserve dignity and empathy.
Mohapatra recalled watching Mehndi perform at Delhi’s Sufi Heritage Festival on 1 March 2026, where she said he appeared disoriented and struggled to hold a note.
She said she and her team stayed silent at the time out of respect, but later questioned whether that silence enabled a situation that should have been challenged.
Cabinet Minister Subodh Uniyal had publicly reprimanded Mehndi, accusing him of being intoxicated; several entertainment figures supported the singer.
- Who
- Sona Mohapatra questioned the professional accountability of Daler Mehndi and those representing him.
- What
- Mohapatra said audiences deserve an honest performance and recalled concerns about Mehndi’s set at a Sufi festival.
- When
- She shared her comments on Instagram on Tuesday, according to Hindustan Times; Indian Express says she reacted on Wednesday.
- Where
- The controversy followed a cultural event in Uttarakhand. Mohapatra’s account concerned the Sufi Heritage Festival at Delhi’s Sunder Nursery.
- Why
- She said the controversy focused heavily on the indignity Mehndi faced and too little on audience expectations and professional responsibility.
Sona Mohapatra
Anupam Kher and supporters of Daler Mehndi
Professional responsibility
Sona Mohapatra
Mohapatra said audiences deserve an honest performance and those accepting substantial professional fees have responsibilities.
Anupam Kher and supporters of Daler Mehndi
Kher criticised how Mehndi was treated publicly, and several entertainment figures backed him.
Respect for the artist
Sona Mohapatra
Mohapatra said veteran artists deserve dignity and empathy, but questioned whether silence in the face of a concerning performance was really respectful.
Anupam Kher and supporters of Daler Mehndi
Kher objected to the public treatment of Mehndi; supporters included Mika Singh, Kapil Sharma, Palash Sen, Alisha Chinai, Harshdeep Kaur and Badshah.
Sona Mohapatra headlined the first evening of the Sufi Heritage Festival at Delhi’s Sunder Nursery.
Daler Mehndi performed the festival’s closing set, which Mohapatra and her team stayed to watch.
Cabinet Minister Subodh Uniyal publicly reprimanded Mehndi at a cultural event in Uttarakhand and accused him of being intoxicated.
Mohapatra shared her views on Instagram; Hindustan Times says Tuesday, while Indian Express says Wednesday.
- Festival
- Sufi Heritage Festival, Delhi’s Sunder Nursery
- Mohapatra’s festival date
- 28 February 2026
- Mehndi’s festival date
- 1 March 2026
- Uttarakhand minister
- Subodh Uniyal
- Mohapatra’s response
- Instagram post
3 sources
"Respect Is Not A One-Way Entitlement": Sona Mohapatra On Daler Mehndi Controversy
Sona Mohapatra questions Daler Mehndi’s performance: ‘Respect is not a one-way entitlement’
Sona Mohapatra calls for professional accountability amid row over Daler Mehndi's performance: ‘Audiences deserve respect too’
What people are saying
Two things can be true. A veteran deserves dignity, empathy and gratitude for a lifetime of contribution. And an audience deserves an honest performance
Was that really respect? Or were we, through our silence, enabling something that deserved to be questioned?
Artists rarely stay back after their own shows. We are usually on the next flight out.