Shilpa Rao concert row explained: Singer's husband felt 'angry' after her performance was cut off mid-set in Mumbai. All Indian Cine Workers Association calls it 'completely unacceptable'

Singer Shilpa Rao’s performance at the 10th anniversary edition of the Bollywood Music Project (BMP) in Mumbai on October 24 got cut short much to the disappointment of the singer and many audience members. Her husband Ritesh Krishnan was scathing about the incident and said the organizers had disrespected her. The All Indian Cine Workers Association (AICWA) has also condemned the incident and expressed support for the singer.

The episode reportedly took place when Shilpa was performing live and her microphone and stage lights were switched off before she could finish her set. The audience continued calling out her name even after the music stopped. Shilpa later addressed the incident on Instagram, thanking her fans for their support and promising to return to Mumbai.

Shilpa Rao shares emotional message after concert interruption

Taking to Instagram, Shilpa expressed her disappointment over the unexpected end to her performance. She said, "Mumbai, a little piece of my heart broke tonight. It hurts deeply to have something so beautiful taken away from us like this."

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A post shared by Shilpa Rao (@shilparao)

The singer also thanked the crowd for continuing to cheer for her after the music stopped. She said their voices and support had reached her even when she could no longer perform, but added that the evening had been left incomplete.

Shilpa assured her fans that she would return to Mumbai and expressed her affection for the city.

Shilpa Rao's husband Ritesh Krishnan slams organisers

Following this, Shilpa’s husband, Ritesh Krishnan, also shared a strong reaction note on social media. He said he felt "angry, disappointed and helpless" while watching his wife go through the experience.

Ritesh said that while audiences know Shilpa for her voice and songs, he also understands the effort she puts into her work and the importance of her fans to her. Seeing her performance interrupted in this manner was deeply upsetting, he added.

He also criticised the organisers’ response to the controversy and further added, "BMP, your PR team is working overtime to convince Mumbai it did not see what it saw. Cute!"He slammed the organisers, adding, “And above all, denying a fellow artist just two minutes to say goodbye to her audience was selfish, petty, shameless and utterly classless!! To everyone who stood by her, THANK YOU.”

Appreciating his wife, he wrote, “Shilpa, I am incredibly proud of you, my love. Mumbai, we will be back. Your love deserves a beautiful ending. And we owe you that.”

AICWA calls incident 'completely unacceptable'

The All Indian Cine Workers Association has also condemned the treatment of Shilpa at the festival. In a statement shared on its official X account on Sunday, the association alleged that the singer’s microphone and stage lights were switched off while she was still on stage.

According to AICWA, Shilpa remained on stage for some time after the interruption, before Kutle Khan of the Kutle Khan Project took over and began performing. The association also noted that the audience continued to call out Shilpa’s name after her microphone was switched off.

AICWA stated, "To treat an artist of her stature this way, on the stage of an anniversary edition, is a direct insult to her dignity and to the honour she has earned. When the mic and lights were switched off, the audience stood by Shilpa Rao and kept calling out her name."



"We ask the organisers to respect artists. If this behaviour continues, artists will refuse to perform at their events. Artists are invited to showcase their art. Paying for a performance does not mean owning the performer. Anyone who believes otherwise is mistaken, and that attitude is wrong. An artist wants respect, not humiliation. No artist should ever face such treatment on a live stage."

The association added that it would support Shilpa if she chose to pursue legal or other action against the organisers. It also warned that artists could refuse to perform at events where they felt their work and time were not respected.

For the unversed, Shilpa Rao made her playback singing debut with Tose Naina from Anwar in 2007 and gained wider recognition with Khuda Jaane from Bachna Ae Haseeno in 2008. She has since sung popular tracks including Bulleya from Ae Dil Hai Mushkil, Ghungroo from War and Chaleya from Jawan. She has also received a National Film Award for her contribution to Indian music.