BMP apologises to Shilpa Rao after her mic cut off mid-performance; fans ask why Anu Malik, Euphoria got extra time
New Delhi: Shilpa Rao’s set at the Bollywood Music Project (BMP) in Mumbai was cut short twice on Saturday, October 24. Her mic was switched off during a song and again while she was thanking the crowd, and she left the stage in a rush. Attendees at the festival’s 10th anniversary edition said the singer was treated with disrespect.
BMP has since apologised, blaming scheduling delays and venue restrictions. Many fans are not convinced, as other artists got extra time and Himesh Reshammiya played beyond the 10 pm curfew later that night.
What happened to Shilpa Rao at BMP
Sound check at BMP done … let’s do #Barbaad 🤘.
#shilparao #shilparaolive https://t.co/jkBF5W0t3V
— Shilpa Rao (@shilparao11) October 24, 2026
The event reportedly ran late and had sound problems throughout the day, and Shilpa’s set was affected from the beginning. Her first microphone malfunctioned. She waited for a replacement, only to face similar trouble with the second one.
After a few songs, her mic was switched off for the first time while she was performing Chuttamalle from Devara: Part 1. The interruption left her visibly surprised.
She stayed on to say goodbye and thank the audience for their patience, support and love, but her speech was cut short as well. Kutle Khan and his band, The Kutle Khan Project, began performing while she was at one end of the stage. Kutle Khan started singing midway through her speech, and her mic was switched off again. The turn of events angered fans and attendees alike.
Shilpa later shared an emotional message on social media, thanking the Mumbai audience for continuing to cheer for her even after the music stopped.
Mumbai I love you ❤️ https://t.co/Y3AZVih4Wh
— Shilpa Rao (@shilparao11) October 24, 2026
BMP apologises to Shilpa Rao
The organisers stated on Instagram after midnight on October 25, apologising to Shilpa, her team and the fans who had come to see her perform. They also expressed respect for the singer and her contribution to the music industry.
According to BMP, local authority guidelines and venue curfew restrictions limited how much delay they could accommodate. “Because our festivals operate under strict local authority guidelines and venue curfew regulations, these compounding delays unfortunately forced a premature end to her set. While these circumstances were entirely out of our control, we deeply regret that we could not showcase her performance in its entirety,” the statement read. The organisers ended by apologising once again to the singer and her fans.
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Many attendees questioned why Shilpa was not given the same consideration. They pointed out that Anu Malik and Euphoria had slightly extended their sets, while other artists had to adjust their timings on the second stage.
Himesh Reshammiya performs beyond curfew
The curfew explanation came under further scrutiny when Himesh Reshammiya took the stage later that night. He was scheduled to perform between 8:30 pm and 10 pm but began late because of the earlier delays, and he carried on beyond the cut-off.
Himesh performed several popular tracks, including Naam Hai Tera, Hookah Bar and Aashiq Banaya Aapne. He also brought his wife, Sonia Kapoor, on stage and invited Ayushmann Khurrana as a surprise guest ahead of the release of Yeh Prem Mol Liya next month.
During the set, Himesh acknowledged the time constraints and joked that fans could catch his upcoming Cap Mania Tour to hear more of his songs. His mic was finally switched off at 10:13 pm, but he stayed on stage with singer Pragati Nagpal for a few more minutes before leaving.