Singer Mika Singh addressed the controversy surrounding his brother Daler Mehndi’s performance at an event in Uttarakhand during a press conference in Mumbai. The controversy erupted after a video went viral earlier this week, showing Uttarakhand minister Subodh Uniyal interrupting the performance midway and accusing the singer of performing under the influence of alcohol. The minister reportedly questioned Mehndi’s ability to perform, saying, “You can’t even speak. How will you perform?” He also claimed that the organisers had paid the singer Rs 35 lakh and accused him of disrespecting the spirit of Navratri and the audience. While Daler Mehndi has not publicly responded to the incident, Mika has spoken out repeatedly on social media, demanding an apology to his brother. At the press conference, Mika explained his position in detail and strongly criticised the way the situation was handled.
Mika began by rejecting the allegation that Daler Mehndi had arrived at the event under the influence of alcohol. He said, “The accusation levelled against me—that I arrived under the influence of alcohol—is completely wrong. I could offer an explanation, but even if 60% of people might believe me, 40% would likely still insist that I’m in the wrong. The way the Minister damaged Dilesh ji’s reputation is truly unfair; I will never forgive him for that.”
Explaining the circumstances behind the performance, Mika continued, “As for the claim that I was drunk and couldn’t even stand—that’s not true. Sunanda Sharma had been booked for the event, but she cancelled her appearance a day in advance—perhaps due to a personal issue or because she was unwell. Sometimes, friends reach out—showing up at my home or room—asking for a favour, saying, ‘Brother, please help me out; just go and stand there—that’s enough.’ Even when we aren’t feeling well, we might agree because a friend insists. That’s what happened here; he got up from his bed and went to the show. The performance was completed in full—if you watch any of the videos, you can see the audience enjoying themselves. It was a live performance, not a pre-recorded track. Though, for the record, I don’t look down on those who use backing tracks—it’s simply a part of the culture. Fans come to see their favourite stars, and they enjoy the experience regardless of whether the singing is live or accompanied by a track.”
Mika further explained why the allegation had upset him so deeply, saying, “But what hurt me the most was the accusation that I had arrived drunk. They have damaged his image globally by claiming that Daler Mehndi drinks alcohol—that he consumes liquor. He has been so shaken by this that he hasn’t even been able to respond. I felt that I needed to make a video. It’s not just about standing up for my brother—though he is in the right—but the truth is, anyone who saw the glass in his hand should know that he is someone who would rather quit singing altogether than compromise his principles; he is incredibly protective of his voice and his cultural values. You might say that I party or enjoy myself—I do whatever I feel like—but Daler Mehndi is a true legend. I made this video to help set the record straight, and I am deeply grateful to everyone—fans, actors, directors, producers, and fellow singers—for their wholehearted support. I didn’t reach out to anyone or ask for support; I simply shared what was on my mind, and everyone rallied behind him.”
Speaking about his conversation with the minister, Mika added, “In fact, the very next day, I even spoke with the minister—a well-wisher of mine facilitated the conversation. The minister said, ‘I’ll set everything right,’ but I replied, ‘Brother, there’s nothing to “set right”. I didn’t come here to apologise; I came to make it clear that this approach is completely wrong.’”
Mika also raised concerns about remarks allegedly made by the minister on stage regarding singer Maninder Buttar. He said, “Furthermore, he made another comment on stage—you might have heard it if you have the clip—where he said, ‘Before you, Maninder Buttar came here, and we chased him away after beating him up. Even his father wouldn’t be able to perform here.’ What kind of behaviour is this? If Maninder Buttar made a mistake, why not speak to him kindly? You could have said, ‘Son, do come back next time,’ or ‘Why not perform for free at our next show?’ Instead, you announced on the microphone, in front of Daler Mehndi, that Maninder Buttar had been beaten and driven away, and that even his father couldn’t return. Look, Minister-ji, you are not a thug; you are a Minister. It is your duty to look after the region you represent. Many incidents likely occur there—perhaps you simply don’t pay attention to them. If you directed even a fraction of this anger towards addressing those issues, crime might disappear entirely! Anyway, I was quite furious at the time.”
Mika also revealed that he had spoken with Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami and praised the latter’s response to the situation. He said, “As for Dilip-ji, he is such an innocent soul—he wasn’t even in a condition to respond. He was unwell, yet he still sang for an hour and a half—he performed for a full 90 minutes! Just this morning, I spoke with someone I consider an elder brother and a dear friend—someone I hold in high regard—the Chief Minister of Uttarakhand, Pushkar Singh Dhami-ji. Whenever I visit Dehradun, he meets me with such warmth; he is incredibly down-to-earth. The way he spoke to both me and Dilip-ji was truly wonderful—he was so polite and grounded. He even offered an apology on behalf of his side, but I told him, ‘Sir, there’s no need for that! You are a man of such high stature, and you haven’t done anything wrong. Sometimes, one just has a bad day or a run of bad luck.’ Regardless, he apologised on their behalf, and I can assure you that Dilip Mehndi and I will return to Uttarakhand, where we will be welcomed and honoured with the respect we deserve.”
Mika’s press conference has brought renewed attention to the controversy, with the singer making it clear that his primary concern is the alleged damage to his brother’s reputation and the treatment of fellow performers. His remarks also underline the importance of addressing disagreements respectfully, particularly when public figures and artists are involved. While the controversy continues to attract attention, Mika has expressed confidence that he and Daler Mehndi will return to Uttarakhand and receive the respect they believe they deserve.
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