Punjabi singer Daler Mehndi once cried in jail after younger daughter asked two questions. What were those?

Renowned Punjabi singer Daler Singh, popularly known as Daler Mehndi, is often credited as the king of Punjabi pop and Bhangra dance tracks. From Tunak Tunak Tun to Bolo Tara Ra Ra, he helped bring Punjabi music to the global stage by mixing traditional sounds with upbeat pop rhythms. However, in 2018, the celebrated singer was convicted in a human trafficking case and sentenced to two years in prison. After serving nearly two months, his sentence was suspended in 2022, and he was released. Now, his wife Taran Mehndi has opened up about the emotional turmoil their family went through during that difficult period.

Taran recalls when Daler Mehndi was in jail

In a recent video shared on her YouTube channel, Taran recalled the time when her husband was behind bars and how it impacted their children, especially their youngest daughter. She shared that when the family went to visit Daler in jail, it was their elder daughter who encouraged everyone to stay strong. Ironically, she was the first one to break down in tears.



The incident left a deep emotional scar on the entire family. Taran revealed that many people advised her not to take their younger daughter to the Patiala jail. But knowing the close bond she shared with her father, Taran felt it was important for the two to meet. The visit turned out to be heart-wrenching in unexpected ways.

While every family member got emotional during the meeting, the youngest daughter didn’t cry. Instead, she calmly asked practical questions about her father’s condition, whether the bedsheet and toilet were clean. Her quiet concern deeply affected Daler Mehndi, who broke down upon hearing her words. Taran added that her daughter even stopped eating her favourite non-vegetarian dishes at home, knowing her father wasn't getting proper meals in jail.

All you need to know about Daler Mehndi case

For those unfamiliar with the case, Daler Mehndi and his late brother Shamsher Mehndi were booked by the Patiala Police after a complaint was filed by a man named Bakshish Singh. He alleged that the brothers had taken money from him with a promise to help him migrate to Canada. Over time, around 35 similar complaints emerged, accusing the duo of accepting “passage money” to help people illegally migrate to the United States, but failing to fulfil those promises. Investigations also revealed that in 1998 and 1999, the Mehndi brothers had taken performance troupes abroad, during which 10 individuals were allegedly left behind in the U.S.


Looking back at that difficult phase, Taran also spoke about the lack of support from the film and music industry. She said that no one from the industry reached out to them or showed concern. While she admitted it was disheartening, she wasn’t entirely surprised. According to her, the entertainment industry functions more like a business than a brotherhood. Despite the silence from most peers, a few close friends like Suniel Shetty and Ahmed Khan stood by their side. Taran added that while the situation was tough, there is no lingering bitterness or grudges within the industry toward Daler today.