New Delhi: Actress Kunika Sadanand attended the PTC Punjabi Film Awards held in Mumbai on Thursday, October 22. During the event, she shared her views on the recent controversies surrounding concerts by singers Daler Mehndi and Diljit Dosanjh. Speaking to IANS, she highlighted that the Punjabi film industry has grown significantly and now creates films based on compelling stories and interesting subjects. She added that it was her first time attending the PTC Awards, which was reportedly held in Mumbai for the first time, and she was thrilled to be a part of it.
The actress noted that the budgets for Punjabi films are expanding and productions are now shooting in various global locations including Canada and London, wishing the industry a bright future. However, she expressed strong disapproval regarding the recent mistreatment faced by Punjabi singer Daler Mehndi at a concert, where remarks were made alleging he was singing under the influence of alcohol. Reacting to this, she stated that she has always felt that most politicians lack basic manners and civility.
Outrage Over Minister's Attitude
Kunika pointed out that Daler Mehndi was spoken to in a highly disrespectful manner during the concert. She emphasized that his illustrious career, his identity, and his voice far surpass the worth of those politicians, and nobody has the right to humiliate someone. She mentioned that while he might have been unwell or aging, public disrespect is unacceptable. The actress added that she has always heard Daler Mehndi does not consume alcohol at all, making the allegations about him being drunk and slurring his words an unfair way to treat an artist.
Regarding accusations that Daler Mehndi took 35 lakh rupees yet failed to sing properly, Kunika Sadanand asserted that paying money does not mean you have purchased a person. While financial transactions occur for services, paying money does not give anyone the license to misbehave. She also touched upon the cancellation of actor and singer Diljit Dosanjh's concert, which was scheduled to be held in Delhi on Thursday, October 23, but was called off due to security concerns.
Addressing the concert cancellation, she remarked that the country faces recurring security challenges, noting that celebrities frequently face threats, attacks, and assassination attempts. She stated that if the government cancelled the concert on security grounds, it reflects a failure on the part of the administration's law and order machinery.
