Ila Arun Stands by Daler Mehndi, Calls Stage Incident Humiliating

Mumbai, October 22 (Daily Kiran) : Ila Arun has come forward in support of singer Daler Mehndi following a controversial incident at the Kunjapuri fair in Uttarakhand. The actress and singer described the treatment Mehndi received on stage as humiliating and disgraceful.

In a recent interview, Ila expressed her disappointment, stating that the entertainment industry, fans, and the music community are deeply upset by the way the artist was allegedly treated. “Daler Mehndi is not just a close friend but like a brother to us. He is a legendary artist who has significantly contributed to popularizing Sufi and Punjabi music. We do not know exactly what transpired, but the accusations against him and the manner in which he was treated were completely unjust,” she said.

Ila suggested that if the organizers or sponsors had concerns about Mehndi’s health, they should have addressed it privately with his secretary instead of confronting him publicly on stage. “If they had worries, they could have spoken to his secretary directly. They could have said that perhaps he wasn’t in a position to perform. It is the organizers’ responsibility to handle such situations properly and consider everyone’s well-being,” she added.

Describing artists as inherently sensitive, Ila shared that the incident has left her deeply shaken and saddened. She expressed concern for Mehndi’s health, suggesting that the situation could have had serious consequences. “What happened on stage was humiliating and utterly disgraceful. There is no justification for such behavior. Any concerns or disagreements should have been resolved privately behind the scenes. Daler has millions of fans; what if he had suffered a heart attack?” she questioned.

Ila acknowledged that while an artist should refrain from performing if unwell, the situation could have been managed with more respect. “We believe that if he wasn’t feeling well, he should not have taken the stage, but the way it was handled was completely wrong,” she remarked.

Reflecting on the lessons learned from Mehndi, Ila noted that he has taught her the importance of respect and the bond between an artist and their audience. “I have learned so much from him. He taught me that respect is the most important thing and that the greatest wealth for an artist is the love of their audience. In such situations, one should not compromise their self-respect and should choose not to perform. We are extremely upset with how he was treated,” she said.

In a message of solidarity, Ila told Mehndi, “Please don’t take this to heart. You have a big heart. Your humiliation is our humiliation. We stand with you.”

The incident occurred on October 18, when Daler Mehndi was performing at the Kunjapuri fair in Tehri district, Uttarakhand. Reports indicate that Uttarakhand Cabinet Minister Subodh Uniyal interrupted his performance, claiming that Mehndi had appeared on stage under the influence of alcohol, which was inappropriate for an event dedicated to Goddess Durga.

The entertainment community has responded to the incident, with many artists expressing their support for Mehndi and voicing concerns about the public treatment he received.