Daler Mehndi was paid Rs 35 lakh for the event, reveals Uttarakhand cabinet minister Subodh Uniyal: 'He…

Punjabi singer Daler Mehndi found himself at the centre of a controversy after Uttarakhand cabinet minister Subodh Uniyal reprimanded him during a performance at the historic Siddhpeeth Maa Kunjapuri Tourism and Development Fair in New Tehri on Sunday night. The minister had objected to the singer’s conduct on stage, and has now disclosed that he was paid Rs 35 lakh for the performance.

In a conversation with ANI, Subodh Uniyal explained why he confronted the singer during the event. He said, "He is a big artist.

If a big artist doesn't do justice to their art... He seemed disoriented on stage and didn't seem to be able to even keep standing.

Besides this, he was only lip-syncing to his songs. I told him that he is a big artist and he should do justice to his art; he had been offered ₹35 lakh to come and perform, but he was not even singing.

So, I expressed my resentment."The minister had interrupted Daler Mehndi in the middle of his performance, questioning his ability to sing and his apparent lack of composure on stage. Allegations subsequently surfaced that the singer was under the influence of alcohol, but these claims have not been independently verified.

During the exchange, Subodh Uniyal was also heard questioning the singer, saying, "You cannot even speak, so how are you going to sing?"According to a PTI report, the minister reminded Daler Mehndi that people had gathered at the fair specifically to watch him perform and expected him to deliver accordingly. He also raised concerns about maintaining decorum, pointing out that the event was being held during the religious period of Navratri.

A video capturing the confrontation has since circulated on social media. In the clip, Subodh Uniyal can be heard expressing his displeasure, saying, "We called you so that our people could be entertained.

You are making a fool of us. You have a big name; we should respect that.

You were called because you have a big name."Daler Mehndi is among India's most recognisable Punjabi pop singers and played a significant role in popularising bhangra and Indian pop music. He rose to fame in the 1990s with popular tracks such as ‘Bolo Ta Ra Ra’, ‘Dardi Rab Rab’ and ‘Ho Jayegi Balle Balle’.

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Key quotes

• “You cannot even speak, so how are you going to sing?”

• “We called you so that our people could be entertained. You are making a fool of us. This is wrong. It's wrong. You have a big name; we should respect that. You were called because you have a big name.”