Actor Sudesh Berry has publicly expressed solidarity with singer Daler Mehndi following a controversy over the latter's performance in Uttarakhand, asserting that every artist deserves dignity and should never be humiliated on a public platform. Berry shared his views via an Instagram video on 21 October 2026, calling the episode 'very strange' and urging people to approach the matter with fairness and humanity.

What Sudesh Berry Said

Berry, who says he has known Daler Mehndi for over 30 years, strongly defended the singer's character. 'Daler ji, as far as I know, for more than 30 years, Daler ji Mehndi cannot do such a thing. He cannot do it. Daler ji, this is very sad. This should not happen. And we should all take a stand together against this,' he said in the video.

He also drew a broader parallel, arguing that artists — much like the military and scientists — are pillars of societal inspiration. 'We should respect the actors, like the military should be respected; scientists should be respected. There are some people who should be respected because of whom our society gets inspiration. Daler ji gave music all his life,' Berry stated.

The Instagram Caption

In a bilingual Instagram caption posted in Hindi, Berry wrote that he wholeheartedly stands in support of Daler Mehndi and firmly believes every artist and individual deserves to be treated with respect. He acknowledged that complaints or disagreements about a performance are valid, but maintained that publicly humiliating someone is never the right approach. 'Such matters can also be addressed privately, with respect and sensitivity,' he noted.

Berry also highlighted Mehndi's decades-long contribution to Indian music, saying the singer has spent thirty to thirty-five years bringing happiness to audiences through his performances. 'An artist spends an entire lifetime building their identity and earning respect, which is why their contributions and feelings should be valued,' he wrote.

Context: The Uttarakhand Controversy

The controversy centres on Daler Mehndi's performance at an event in Uttarakhand, after which allegations surfaced regarding his conduct. Details of the specific accusations remain disputed, and Berry's statement reflects the position that the matter should not be judged hastily on the basis of unverified allegations. Notably, this episode comes amid broader conversations in India about how public figures — particularly entertainers — are treated when controversies emerge.

Berry's Appeal for Solidarity

Concluding his statement, Berry appealed to everyone not to rush to judgement. He expressed his 'complete solidarity' with Daler Mehndi and urged that any matter be approached 'with understanding, fairness and humanity' rather than driven by hasty assumptions or allegations. He also touched on the pressures artists face, noting that health challenges are universal: 'We live in such an environment where food is adulterated, water and air are so polluted, then a person's health is a little up and down. We are all humans.'

The statement from Berry, a well-known face in Indian cinema, adds a prominent voice to those speaking up for Mehndi during what the actor described as a 'difficult time' for the veteran musician. Whether the controversy leads to any formal proceedings or resolution remains to be seen.