'Painful and Unfortunate': Gurdeep Mehndi Speaks Out on Father's Uttarakhand Row
Gurdeep Mehndi calls the controversy involving Uttarakhand Minister Subodh Uniyal "painful" and defends his father Daler Mehndi.
Gurdeep Mehndi has officially broken his silence regarding the storm of controversy surrounding his father, the legendary singer Daler Mehndi. The dispute, which erupted following a public event in Uttarakhand, has seen the singer face harsh criticism and allegations from a government official. Gurdeep described the entire ordeal as "painful" and "unfortunate," sharing his perspective in a heartfelt video posted on his Instagram handle.
Family Stress and a Positive Spirit
Addressing his followers for the first time on the matter, Gurdeep revealed that he was outside India when the incident occurred. Upon learning of the situation, he immediately flew back to check on his father. In a touching account of their reunion, Gurdeep shared that despite the turmoil, Daler Mehndi maintained his signature optimism.
"I flew back and I met him, and I asked him, 'Papaji, how are you doing?' And just as he always stays with a positive Punjabi nature, he said, 'Son, first class, I am fine,'" Gurdeep stated.
He explained that the family's tendency to handle stress with a laugh—a trait he attributes to their Punjabi roots—had been misinterpreted by the media, leading the news to be taken in an "entirely different direction." While maintaining a brave front, Gurdeep admitted that the family is stressed and is dealing with the situation together.
The Spark: What Happened in Uttarakhand?
The friction began during a performance at the Siddhpeeth Maa Kunjapuri Tourism and Development Fair in Narendra Nagar, New Tehri. A viral video captured Uttarakhand Cabinet Minister Subodh Uniyal interrupting Daler Mehndi mid-performance. The minister questioned the singer's ability to perform, reminding him that he was invited to entertain the audience and urging him to respect his own reputation as a renowned artist.
Following the viral clip, the situation escalated with social media allegations suggesting that Mehndi was intoxicated and unable to sing properly during the set.
Lip-syncing Allegations and Financial Disputes
Minister Subodh Uniyal later clarified his actions to ANI, stating that his intervention was prompted by the belief that Daler Mehndi was lip-syncing rather than singing live. The minister also expressed dissatisfaction with the conduct of the show, revealing that the singer had been paid Rs 35 lakh for the performance.
Mika Singh Steps In to Defend
The controversy drew the support of the music and film fraternity, most notably singer Mika Singh. Defending his colleague and "brother," Mika Singh vehemently denied the claims of intoxication, stating clearly that Daler Mehndi does not consume alcohol.
Mika Singh provided critical context regarding the singer's health, revealing that Daler Mehndi has been unwell for the past two years and is still in the process of recovery. He further disclosed that the singer recently underwent an operation, which may have impacted his performance. Mika pointed out the hypocrisy in the criticism, noting that while many modern performers rely on backing tracks without scrutiny, Daler was singled out.
Demand for an Apology
As the family and their peers rally around the veteran singer, Daler Mehndi has demanded a formal apology from the Uttarakhand Minister for the public humiliation and the nature of the remarks made during the event.
Gurdeep concluded his statement by thanking the film industry and Mika Singh for their unwavering support, asking fans to continue showering their love on his father.