After Daler Mehndi’s controversial Uttarakhand performance, Abhijeet Bhattacharya has made his position clear, promising Chhattisgarh audiences that he will sing live even if his voice goes off-key.
Mumbai: The Daler Mehndi performance controversy has found another Bollywood music industry voice, and this time, it is singer Abhijeet Bhattacharya making headlines. Without taking Daler’s name, Abhijeet appeared to support Uttarakhand Cabinet Minister Subodh Uniyal’s criticism of the singer’s performance, declaring that he would never pretend to sing during a live concert.
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A video from Abhijeet’s recent performance at Chhattisgarh Rajyotsava 2026 has gone viral on social media. Addressing the audience, the singer spoke passionately about the difference between genuine live singing and lip-syncing, referring to the recent incident in which a minister walked onto the stage during Daler Mehndi’s performance and questioned whether he was actually singing.
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Abhijeet did not mince his words. He said the minister had spoken the truth but had subsequently been portrayed as the villain. His comments have now added another dimension to a controversy that has already divided social media and attracted reactions from several entertainment personalities.
Abhijeet Bhattacharya Says He Will Sing Live, Even If He Goes Off-Key
During his Chhattisgarh performance, Abhijeet urged the audience not to allow performers to claim they are singing live when they are actually relying on recorded vocals.
Referring to the Uttarakhand incident, he said, “Bilkul sach kaha tha unhone ki aap gaana nahin gaa rahe hain, aapse khada nahin hua ja raha, aap gaana nahin gaa rahe hain. Bilkul sahi kaha unhone. Lekin woh khule villain ban gaye.”
In English, Abhijeet said the minister was right to question the performance, but ended up becoming the villain in the eyes of the public.
The singer then made a promise to his own audience that grabbed attention. He said he would sing live regardless of how his voice sounded, whether it was strained, tired, off-key or simply not at its best.
“Main jaisa bhi gaaunga, galat gaaunga, kharab gaaunga, gala kharab rahega, thak jaaunga, besura gaaunga, lekin jo bhi gaaunga, live gaaunga,” he declared.
The statement was more than a defence of live singing. Abhijeet presented it as a matter of respect for people who spend their money and time attending concerts.
He also thanked the musicians, administration and organisers who work behind the scenes to make live performances possible.
‘I Will Never Cheat You by Moving My Lips’
Abhijeet continued by explaining why he considers lip-syncing at a live concert unfair to audiences.
He said people spend their hard-earned money to attend performances and deserve to hear the singer actually perform. He also acknowledged the effort put in by event organisers, government departments, musicians and the audience.
“I will never cheat you in this way. I will never simply move my lips in the name of singing. Some people do that, but I won’t,” was the essence of his message.
His remarks have been interpreted by many as an indirect criticism of Daler Mehndi. However, Abhijeet did not explicitly name the singer in the viral video.
The choice of words has nevertheless made the clip particularly interesting because it came shortly after the controversy in Uttarakhand. His public endorsement of the minister’s criticism has also brought the debate back into the spotlight.
What Happened Between Daler Mehndi and Uttarakhand Minister Subodh Uniyal?
The controversy began during Daler Mehndi’s performance at the Siddhpeeth Maa Kunjapuri Tourism and Development Fair in Uttarakhand’s Tehri Garhwal district in October 2026.
The singer was performing during the Navratri celebrations when Cabinet Minister Subodh Uniyal walked onto the stage and confronted him. The minister questioned the quality of the performance, alleged that Daler appeared to be under the influence of alcohol and accused him of lip-syncing instead of singing live.
A video of the confrontation quickly spread across social media. The minister was heard questioning how the singer could perform when he was allegedly struggling to speak properly.
Uniyal later defended his intervention, claiming that Daler had been paid ₹35 lakh for the performance and that the audience deserved a proper show. He also questioned why the singer had agreed to perform if he was unwell.
However, the allegations surrounding the singer’s condition remain disputed. Daler’s brother and fellow singer Mika Singh defended him, saying that he had undergone major surgery and was unwell. Mika also rejected the allegation that his brother had consumed alcohol and criticised the public manner in which the singer was confronted.
The disagreement quickly became a larger debate about the treatment of established artists, the responsibility of performers and the expectations audiences should have when they purchase tickets or attend publicly funded events.
Mika Singh and Other Celebrities Defended Daler Mehndi
The minister’s intervention did not go down well with several members of the entertainment industry.
Mika Singh came out strongly in support of his elder brother, arguing that an artist should not be publicly humiliated. He also questioned whether the minister could have handled the situation differently, especially considering Daler’s health condition.
Other entertainment personalities, including Anupam Kher, Kapil Sharma, Badshah and Harshdeep Kaur, also expressed support for Daler, with the discussion extending beyond the original performance.
The debate revealed two competing concerns. One side argued that established artists deserve dignity and that health issues should be treated sensitively. The other maintained that audiences and event organisers have every right to expect a genuine performance, particularly when substantial public money is involved.
Abhijeet’s latest comments have now given greater visibility to the second argument.
Is Lip-Syncing Becoming a Bigger Problem at Live Concerts?
Abhijeet’s statement has reopened an important question about what audiences actually expect from live music events.
There is a difference between using backing tracks as part of a musical arrangement and relying on pre-recorded lead vocals while presenting a performance as entirely live. Many large-scale concerts use backing tracks, electronic arrangements and supporting vocals. Their presence does not automatically mean that a singer is lip-syncing.
However, when the main vocal performance is pre-recorded and the audience is led to believe that the singer is performing live, questions about transparency and value for money naturally arise.
For event organisers, the controversy could encourage clearer contractual expectations regarding live vocals, backing tracks and technical arrangements. It may also lead to more careful checks during sound rehearsals and greater attention to complaints from audiences.
For performers, the incident is a reminder that reputation alone cannot guarantee audience satisfaction. Fans increasingly record concerts, share clips online and discuss performances in real time. A questionable moment on stage can quickly become a national conversation.
Will Abhijeet’s Remarks Create Another Music Industry Divide?
Abhijeet has not directly accused Daler Mehndi of cheating audiences, nor has he named him in his remarks. His statement should therefore be understood as his position on live singing and the broader controversy rather than a confirmed personal allegation against Daler.
Nevertheless, his comments may intensify the ongoing discussion within the music industry. While some artists may agree that genuine live singing should be the standard, others may argue that a performer’s health, age and physical condition must also be considered before judging a performance.
The bigger consequence could be a shift in how live shows are organised and marketed. Audiences may demand greater clarity about whether a concert features live vocals, pre-recorded tracks or a combination of both.
For now, Abhijeet has made one thing clear: he would rather sing badly in front of his audience than pretend to sing perfectly.
And with his viral Chhattisgarh speech, the singer has ensured that the Daler Mehndi controversy is not fading away just yet.
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