Singer Shilpa Rao’s Mic Cut and Removal From Mumbai Stage Sparks Protest

Singer Shilpa Rao faced an unwanted situation on stage at the Bollywood Music Project in Mumbai, India. While performing on Saturday and speaking to the audience, her microphone was switched off and another artist’s performance began. The incident has stirred discussion in the showbiz world there.

A viral video shows Shilpa Rao talking to the audience during her performance when her handheld microphone suddenly went dead, and at the same moment another group’s performance started on the adjacent stage. The singer was left visibly stunned.

She then asked the organisers for a little time. After she spoke a few words, her microphone was cut again. Officials then came and took the singer off the stage.

Asked why the microphone was switched off, the organisers said managing the schedule of a large music festival with many artists is complicated: when earlier acts run longer than scheduled, later performances are delayed too. They added that local authority directives and the venue’s curfew rules left little room to make up lost time, and that these factors forced them to end Shilpa’s performance early. They also apologised for not being able to present her full performance to the audience.

After the incident, Shilpa shared her feelings on Instagram, writing that a small part of her heart had broken that night in Mumbai and that having such a beautiful moment snatched away was deeply painful. She added that although the song stopped, the audience’s love did not.

Meanwhile, the All Indian Cine Workers Association protested the treatment of Shilpa Rao. In a statement, the organisation said what happened on stage to the National Award-winning singer was in no way acceptable, warned that such treatment of artists would not be tolerated, and assured her of legal support if needed.