Uttarakhand minister claims singer Daler Mehndi got ₹35 lakh for state event amid lip-syncing row
Uttarakhand minister Subodh Uniyal accused Punjabi singer Daler Mehndi of lip-syncing at a state event, Mint reported on 20 October. The minister claimed the singer was paid ₹35 lakh for the event. ₹35 lakh is 3.5 million rupees, and one crore is 10 million. Mehndi faced criticism after the accusation, according to the report. The excerpt did not carry a reply from the singer.
A minister naming a fee turns an artistic complaint into a question about public spending on events. The lip-syncing charge concerns whether the performance matched what the state paid for.
The row shows how state-funded cultural events can draw public scrutiny of both performers and officials.
The minister's side says the performance did not justify the fee and that the public is entitled to know what was paid.
The singer's supporters would say the claim is unproven, and the report did not include his response.
Confirmed: the minister's accusation and the ₹35 lakh claim. Not confirmed: the actual fee or whether the performance was lip-synced. Watch for the singer's reply and any official fee records.
DailyDrop India edition No. 17 · Morning · WED., OCT. 21, 2026