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Mika Singh says Daler Mehndi broke down crying after Uttarakhand minister’s onstage reprimand, CM Pushkar Singh Dhami apologised later

Mika Singh said Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami assured him and Daler Mehndi they would be treated with respect in Uttarakhand.

Published on: Oct 24, 2026, 12:12:55 IST
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Punjabi singer Mika Singh spoke at a press conference on October 23 about how his brother, Daler Mehndi, broke down after the recent incident in Uttarakhand. Daler was in the news after Uttarakhand minister Subodh Uniyal interrupted his performance at an event and reprimanded him for allegedly appearing disoriented on stage.

‘He broke down crying’

Mika Singh came out in support of his elder brother Daler Mehndi after Uttarakhand concert row.
Mika Singh came out in support of his elder brother Daler Mehndi after Uttarakhand concert row.

Mika was among the first celebrities to speak out against the minister’s remarks following the incident. Speaking at a recent press conference, the singer said he learnt about the controversy after completing his show in Surat. He tried calling Daler that night, but his brother did not answer.

Mika managed to speak to him the next day and recalled that Daler broke down on the phone. He also said he advised his brother not to accept performance offers if he was unwell. Mika added that Daler should have stood up for himself on stage.

Deep Dive

Why did Uttarakhand minister Subodh Uniyal reprimand Daler Mehndi during his performance?

Uniyal said Mehndi appeared disoriented, struggled to stand and was lip-syncing rather than singing. He said he expressed resentment because the singer had been paid ₹35 lakh to perform.

What did Mika Singh say about Daler Mehndi after the onstage incident?

Mika said Daler broke down crying when they spoke the day after the incident and was frightened and confused by the minister’s behaviour. He advised Daler not to accept performances if he was unwell and said he should have responded on stage.

Did Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami apologise to Daler Mehndi?

Mika Singh said Dhami called him and Daler and apologised on behalf of Subodh Uniyal. Dhami also assured them they would be treated with respect and welcomed in Uttarakhand.
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“When I called Paaji the next day, he broke down crying because he was emotional. I hadn’t even said anything, and he had already started crying. I told him that if your health is not good, you should not say yes. Secondly, if the minister scolded you, you should have responded at that moment. You should have said, ‘I have not been bought, and I am not some other singer,’” Mika said, as reported by India Today.

‘Uttarakhand CM apologised on behalf of the minister’

“Just this morning, I spoke with my elder brother, dear friend, and someone I hold in high regard, the Chief Minister of Uttarakhand, Pushkar Singh Dhami. The way he communicated with Daler paaji and me was very polite and humble. He offered an apology on behalf of the Minister. Though I told him it wasn't necessary since he made no mistake but he assured me that I and Daler Paaji will be treated with utmost respect, the next time we visit Uttarakhand,” Mika added.

What was the incident?

Daler Mehndi was performing at an event in Uttarakhand when minister Subodh Uniyal interrupted him mid-performance and reprimanded him for allegedly appearing disoriented on stage. “You can't even speak. How will you perform?” the minister asked Mehndi. Later, while speaking to ANI, the minister said the organisers had paid the singer ₹35 lakh for the performance.

Daler has not publicly commented on the incident so far. Mika, along with several other celebrities, has shared videos on social media expressing support for the singer.

 
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Vibha Maru

Vibha Maru is an Assistant Editor with Hindustan Times Entertainment, based in Delhi. With a decade of experience across digital and print media, she covers Bollywood, Hollywood and web shows. A self-confessed cinephile who breathes Hindi cinema, Vibha can often be found sacrificing sleep after binge-watching films and web series. Though she holds a Commerce degree, she discovered her true calling in journalism after enrolling at the Indian Institute of Mass Communication (IIMC). She began her career covering Delhi's cultural scene, food, nightlife, concerts, and city life at The Times of India, before moving into full-time entertainment journalism with India Today. At India Today, Vibha interviewed some of the biggest names in Bollywood and television while carving a niche for herself through film reviews, opinion pieces, nostalgic features, celebrity interviews, and trend-driven stories. She later brought her storytelling and editorial expertise to The Indian Express, where she continued to deepen her understanding of cinema through long-form entertainment explainers, retrospectives and feature writing. Now, as Assistant Editor at Hindustan Times Entertainment, Vibha continues to chronicle the world of movies and pop culture. Her work spans breaking entertainment news, exclusive interviews, celebrity features, and stories that capture the conversations shaping Indian cinema.

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