What was meant to be a routine live performance turned into a deeply unsettling experience for Bengali singer Lagnajita Chakraborty, who has now spoken out about being heckled and allegedly threatened on stage during a private event in West Bengal.
What happened during the performance
Speaking to ANI, Lagnajita revealed that the incident took place at a private function in Kolkata, where her show had begun smoothly around 7 pm. Nearly 45 minutes into the performance, after completing seven songs, she sang the devotional track ‘Jago Maa’ from the recently released film Devi Chowdhurani.
According to the singer, moments after finishing the song and while interacting with the audience, a man suddenly rushed toward the stage.
“He came very close to my face,” Lagnajita recalled, adding that the man appeared aggressive and confrontational.
“He charged at me with the intention to hit”
Lagnajita stated that the individual, later identified as Mahboob Mallick, charged toward her with what she believes was the intention to physically assault her.
She explained that the venue — a school — was recording the entire concert, as is standard practice. However, the footage remains with the organisers. Lagnajita said that if the video is released publicly, it would clearly show the man rushing the stage while others intervened.
As security and attendees tried to restrain him, the man allegedly shouted at her to stop singing devotional songs and demanded something “secular” instead.
Singer speaks about disrespect and fear
Beyond the physical threat, Lagnajita also spoke about the verbal disrespect she faced. She shared that the man addressed her using “tu”, a form of address considered inappropriate and offensive when used for strangers in Bengali culture.
She said the behaviour was not just aggressive but deeply humiliating, especially for a guest performing at a public function.
Police complaint filed, accused arrested
After leaving the venue, Lagnajita went to the Bhagwanpur Police Station and filed a general diary (GD) regarding the incident. Expressing faith in law enforcement, she said she believes such an incident will not be repeated.
As per the latest update from ANI, Purba Medinipur Police have arrested the accused, and the matter is currently under investigation. SP Mithun De described the incident as “unfortunate.”
“I will still sing Jago Maa”
Despite the ordeal, Lagnajita struck a defiant and confident note. She confirmed that she has another performance scheduled in the Arambagh area in the coming days — and plans to sing ‘Jago Maa’ again as her seventh song.
She said she trusts the police and local administration to ensure her safety and allow her to return home “safe and sound.”
Final Words
Lagnajita Chakraborty’s experience has once again highlighted concerns around artist safety, freedom of expression, and crowd behaviour at live events. While the investigation continues, her decision to continue performing the same song stands as a quiet but powerful statement — fear will not dictate art.
