Popular Bollywood singer Neha Kakkar recently found herself embroiled in controversy after arriving three hours late to her much-anticipated concert in Melbourne, Australia. The delay left fans disappointed, with several expressing their frustration on social media. Videos circulating online captured audience members booing and shouting at the singer when she finally took the stage.
The Melbourne concert followed a successful show in Sydney, but the atmosphere was markedly different as Kakkar was met with chants of “Go back!” from angry attendees.
Some disgruntled fans voiced their displeasure, saying, “This isn’t India; you’re in Australia. Go back and take a rest. We’ve been waiting for over two hours. Great acting — but this isn’t Indian Idol.”
Addressing the delay, Kakkar apologized to the audience and explained the circumstances behind her late arrival. “You’ve all been so sweet and patient, waiting for so long. I absolutely hate that this happened. I’ve never kept anyone waiting like this in my entire life,” she said, visibly emotional. “I’m truly sorry. You all mean the world to me, and I was so worried about how things would turn out tonight. This evening will stay with me forever. I promise to make it up to you and ensure that everyone who took out their precious time to be here will leave dancing and happy.”
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Amid the backlash, Neha Kakkar’s brother, Tony Kakkar, came to her defense with a heartfelt message on social media. He wrote, “Imagine being invited to a city for an event where the host takes full responsibility for all arrangements — booking your hotel, car, airport pickup, and tickets. Now, picture arriving to find that none of these arrangements have been made — no car at the airport, no hotel reservation, and no tickets. In that situation, who should be held accountable?” He captioned the post, “Ek Sawaal Hai… (One question) folded hands emoji, Kisi ke liye nahi hai… Bas sawaal hai… (Not directed towards anyone, just a question). Hypothetically.”
Tony’s post resonated with many fans, who praised him for standing by his sister. Several supporters expressed empathy, lauding his gesture and acknowledging the logistical challenges Neha might have faced.
Despite the initial tension, Kakkar managed to perform and tried to lift the spirits of the audience with her energetic numbers. The incident has sparked a heated debate online, with some sympathizing with the singer over the apparent mismanagement and others criticizing her for the delay.
While the Melbourne concert may have been a rocky experience, Neha Kakkar’s passion and resilience were evident as she powered through the performance, aiming to turn the evening around for her fans.