Shilpa Rao shares performance video after Bollywood Music Project incident
- Shilpa Rao shared a video of her 'Khuda Jaane' performance after her microphone was cut at the Bollywood Music Project.
- The incident occurred on October 24, 2026, when organizers ended her set due to venue curfews and delays.
- Singer Kutle Khan denied responsibility for the interruption, stating he followed instructions from festival organizers.
- Shilpa Rao's husband, Ritesh Krishnan, publicly criticized the organizers for the decision to shorten her concert.
- The Bollywood Music Project organizers issued an apology, citing local authority guidelines and previous performance delays.
Shilpa Rao shared an Instagram video on October 28, 2026, of her performing the song "Khuda Jaane" at the Bollywood Music Project in Mumbai. The singer released the footage after her microphone was cut during her set at the festival.
Rao captioned the video, "I sing for you with all my heart...and that's all that matters". This release follows the disruption of her performance at the event.
Performance cut short on October 24
Organizers cut short the performance on October 24, 2026, when they switched off the microphone and stage lights.
Rao wrote that a piece of her heart broke that night, noting it hurts deeply to have something beautiful taken away. She wrote that even when the music stopped, the audience didn't leave, and she promised to return to Mumbai.
Organizers apologize for festival delays
The Bollywood Music Project issued an apology on October 25, 2026, for the incident involving the singer.
Organizers attributed the premature end of the set to delays from earlier performances, local authority guidelines, and venue curfews. They stated they hold Rao in the highest regard and value her incredible legacy and unparalleled artistry.
Kutle Khan denies responsibility for set interruption
Kutle Khan denied responsibility for the incident, stating that all artists had fixed time slots and he was following the instructions of the festival organizers. He stated that all artists had fixed time slots and he followed the instructions of the festival organizers.
Khan claimed his own performance slot at the festival was reduced from 20 minutes to 8 minutes at the last minute. He stated that while he paused his set to allow Shilpa Rao to speak, he resumed his performance after hearing someone tell him to "start, start" through his in-ear monitor.
Khan described Rao as a "very good friend" and "like a sister". He characterized the social media negativity surrounding the incident as "unfortunate".
Family and industry backlash
Ritesh Krishnan, the husband of Rao, publicly condemned the Bollywood Music Project over the microphone incident. He labeled the organizers as "Selfish, petty, shameless" in a report by Bollywood Hungama on October 26, 2026.
IndiaWest reported on October 26, 2026, that Krishnan criticized the festival for the decision to shorten her concert. A cine workers body previously described the treatment of Rao at the festival as "completely unacceptable".
Rolling Stone India argued on October 26, 2026, that the incident should prompt a discussion regarding the obligations festivals have toward their performing artists.
Bollywood Music Project lineup
Fans have reacted to the footage of the performance that was cut short at the festival.
The singer released the video days after the controversy surrounding her interrupted performance on October 24.
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