Singer Abhijeet Bhattacharya has spoken out against lip-syncing at live concerts, promising audiences that he will always sing live, even if his voice is strained or he misses a note. His remarks came during a performance at Chhattisgarh Rajyotsava 2026, where he referred to the recent controversy involving Daler Mehndi and a Uttarakhand minister.
Without directly naming Daler, Abhijeet appeared to support the minister who interrupted the singer’s performance over allegations that he was not singing live. A video of Abhijeet addressing the audience has since circulated online, bringing fresh attention to the debate over authenticity at live music events.
‘I Will Sing Live, No Matter How I Sound’
During his concert, Abhijeet urged the audience not to accept performances advertised as live if the artist was only moving their lips to a recording. Referring to the recent incident, he said the minister had spoken the truth but was subsequently portrayed as the villain.
Abhijeet then made his own promise to the crowd, saying, “Main jaisa bhi gaaunga, galat gaaunga, kharab gaaunga, gala kharab rahega, thak jaaunga, besura gaaunga, lekin jo bhi gaaunga, live gaaunga.”
The singer explained that audiences spend their time and hard-earned money attending concerts, while organisers and musicians put considerable effort into making the events happen. He said he did not want to mislead people who had come specifically to hear him perform.
He added, “Main aap logon ko kabhi is tarah se cheat nahin karoonga. Gaane ke naam pe munh nahin hilaunga.”
What Happened During Daler Mehndi’s Uttarakhand Concert?
The controversy began when Uttarakhand Cabinet Minister Subodh Uniyal interrupted Daler Mehndi during a performance at the Kunjapuri Mela. The minister questioned whether the singer was performing live and reportedly criticised his condition on stage.
The incident sparked a public debate about how artists should be treated during performances. Several celebrities, including Mika Singh, came out in support of Daler, with Mika highlighting that his brother was reportedly unwell during the event.
The allegations surrounding the performance have not been independently established. Abhijeet’s comments have added another perspective to the discussion, focusing on the responsibility performers have to deliver what audiences expect from a live concert.
A Debate About What Audiences Pay For
Abhijeet’s remarks underline a simple distinction between a live performance and a prerecorded track presented as live singing. His position is that an imperfect vocal performance is still more honest than pretending to sing.
The controversy also raises questions about the way public criticism is handled at concerts, particularly when an artist’s health or condition may be involved. While audiences expect authenticity, performers also deserve dignity and fair treatment.
For now, Abhijeet has made his stance clear: he would rather sing off-key or with a strained voice than lip-sync in front of a paying audience.
