Indian playback singer Neha Kakkar recently faced significant backlash after arriving three hours late to her Melbourne concert. The delay led to frustration among attendees, with some expressing their displeasure vocally during the event. In response to the criticism, Neha took to Instagram to share her side of the story, revealing a series of challenges that contributed to the delay and highlighting her commitment to her fans.
Neha explained that the event’s sponsors absconded with her payment and funds intended for others involved in the concert. This unexpected development left her team without essential provisions such as food, accommodation, and even water. In her Instagram post, Neha stated, “The sponsors ran away with my money and others’ too. My band was not even given food, hotel, or even water. My husband and his boys went and provided them with food.” IWMBuzz+2www.ndtv.com+2www.ndtv.com+2
Despite these adversities, Neha chose to proceed with the performance without any compensation. She emphasized her dedication to her fans, noting that she and her team took the stage without rest because the audience had been waiting for hours. “In spite of all this, we still went on stage and did the show without any rest because my fans were waiting for me,” she shared.
The situation was further complicated by technical difficulties. The sound check was delayed for hours because the sound vendor had not been paid, leading to uncertainty about whether the concert would proceed. Neha revealed, “Since the sound vendor was not paid, he refused to put the sound on. This led to a further delay for the sound check to start, and we weren’t even aware if the concert was even happening.”
During the concert, Neha addressed the audience, expressing her regret for the delay and her appreciation for their patience. Overcome with emotion, she apologized, saying, “I hate it. Maine life mein kabhi kisi ko wait nahi karwaya (I’ve never made anyone wait in my entire life).” She assured the attendees that she would make the evening memorable despite the setbacks. Hindustan Times
The audience’s reactions were mixed. While some fans empathized with Neha’s situation, others voiced their frustration. Comments from the crowd included remarks like, “This isn’t India, you’re in Australia. Go back and take rest. We waited for over two hours.”
In her Instagram post, Neha expressed her disappointment over being judged without consideration of the circumstances. She urged people to understand the full story before forming opinions, stating, “They said she came 3 hours late, did they even ask once what happened to her? What did they do to her or her brand?” IWMBuzzIWMBuzz+2www.ndtv.com+2www.ndtv.com+2
Neha concluded her message by thanking those who supported her and attended the concert despite the challenges. She expressed deep gratitude to her fans who stood by her during the ordeal. www.ndtv.com
This incident sheds light on the complexities and unforeseen issues that can arise in event management and highlights the resilience and dedication of artists like Neha Kakkar, who strive to honor their commitments to fans even in the face of significant challenges.
