Bollywood actor Neil Nitin Mukesh has publicly announced his immediate withdrawal as Brand Ambassador for the global singing talent platform “The Universal Idol”, organized by HMCC Events, citing repeated breaches of trust and unfulfilled payment commitments.
In a detailed note shared with the public, Mukesh stated: "Dear All, This is to formally announce my exit as Brand Ambassador from 'The Universal Idol' associated with HMC Events. Despite repeated assurances, my agreed payments were not honoured. Three cheques issued towards the same have been returned unpaid / bounced, constituting a serious breach of trust and commitment. Multiple follow-ups by my team and me personally and opportunities to resolve the matter amicably were made, unfortunately without result."
"In light of the above, I have withdrawn from all present and future associations with Universal Idol, HMC Events, and Mr. Shakeel Hassan and his associates with immediate effect. This note is issued in the interest of transparency and to caution fellow artists, partners, vendors, and collaborators to exercise due diligence and be mindful of claims, commitments, and payment assurances made. I reserve all rights to pursue appropriate remedies available to me under law" read the note.
Mukesh’s announcement highlights growing concerns around payment reliability in Bollywood-event collaborations. Launched in November 2025 with the actor’s endorsement, The Universal Idol had conducted auditions in major Indian cities, including Hyderabad and Delhi, aiming to discover new singing talent on a global scale.
The actor’s note explicitly cautions fellow artists, partners, vendors, and collaborators to exercise due diligence in their dealings with HMCC Events and its promoter, Shakeel Hassan, signaling potential reputational and financial risks associated with the platform.
This public withdrawal comes after multiple attempts by Mukesh and his team to resolve the payment dispute amicably, which, according to the actor, were unsuccessful. The development underscores the challenges artists face in enforcing agreements in high-profile endorsement and event partnerships within the entertainment industry.