Bollywood playback singer Neha Kakkar recently found herself at the center of a major controversy after her Melbourne concert on March 23. The singer was booed and heckled for arriving three hours late, but she has now revealed shocking details about the ordeal, claiming that the event organisers absconded with her and her team’s payments.
In an emotional statement shared on Thursday, Kakkar disclosed that she performed for free as the organisers disappeared with not only her money but also the dues of others involved in the event. She further revealed that her band members were not even provided with basic amenities such as food, accommodation, or water. It was her husband and his team who had to step in and arrange meals for them. Despite these hardships, she went on stage and performed for her fans, who had been waiting for hours.
The Chaos Behind the Scenes
According to Kakkar, the problems began when the sound vendor refused to conduct a sound check, citing non-payment from the organisers. This created further delays as she and her team were left in the dark about whether the concert would even take place. Attempts to reach the organisers were unsuccessful as they stopped responding to her manager’s calls, allegedly due to pressure from sponsors and other stakeholders.
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“When after so much delay our sound check started, I could not reach the venue, couldn’t do the sound check, we did not even know if the concert was happening because the organisers stopped picking my manager’s calls. Apparently, they were running away from the sponsors and everyone,” the 36-year-old singer wrote in her statement.
Social Media Backlash and Mixed Reactions
While Kakkar’s statement clarified the reason for the delay, videos of her breaking down in tears on stage have been circulating widely on social media. In one such clip, she is seen apologizing to the audience, saying, “Guys, you are really sweet. You have been patient. Itni der se aap log wait kar rahe ho. I hate it, maine life mein kabhi kisi ko wait nahi karwaya hai.” (You have been waiting for so long. I hate it, I have never made anyone wait in my life.)
However, her emotional apology did not resonate with everyone. While some fans showed support and encouragement, others expressed their frustration, accusing her of being unprofessional. Concertgoers can be heard shouting remarks like, “Go back. Rest in your hotel,” and “This is not India, you’re in Australia.” Some even called her performance an “act,” mocking her for treating the event like a reality show.
A Heartfelt Thanks to Supporters
Despite the backlash, Kakkar expressed gratitude to those who have supported her during this difficult time. She thanked the people who stood by her and understood the challenges she faced. “I really appreciate all the efforts they took to clarify my situation. I’m always going to be thankful to all of them who attended my concert that day and cried with me and even danced their hearts out,” she wrote.
The incident raises concerns about the accountability of event organisers and the treatment of artists performing overseas. With Kakkar shedding light on the situation, the controversy continues to spark discussions online, with fans and critics divided over the events that unfolded that night.
