Sign in

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
Written by
Share
Share via
  • facebook
  • twitter
  • linkedin
Copy link
  • copy link

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.

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.

‘He broke down crying’

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

Powered ByFAQAsk HT

“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’

According to Mika, Daler was frightened and confused by the minister’s behaviour. The singer also shared that both brothers later received a call from Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami, who assured them that they would always be welcome in the state. Mika said the Chief Minister 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.

  • Vibha Maru
    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.Read More

Catch every big hit, every wicket with Crickit, a one stop destination for Live Scores, Match Stats, Infographics & much more. Explore now!.

Get more updates from Bollywood, Taylor Swift, Hollywood, Music and Web Series along with Latest Entertainment News at Hindustan Times.