Shilpa Rao row: AICWA vows legal support, warns artists may refuse Bollywood Music Project shows

New Delhi: The All Indian Cine Workers Association (AICWA) has stepped in after singer Shilpa Rao’s set at the Bollywood Music Project (BMP) in Mumbai ended abruptly on Saturday, October 24. The body has condemned the treatment of the National Award-winning singer and said it will support her through every legal avenue if she decides to act against the organisers.

The event was held at Jio World Gardens, with Himesh Reshammiya headlining and Rao billed as one of its stars. Her performance ran into delays, and her mic was cut off midway through the set, which shocked many attendees. She was rushed off stage before she could finish, and when she tried to thank fans for their patience, her speech was cut short as well. The next act began while she was still on stage, trying to talk to the crowd.

What AICWA said about Shilpa Rao

AICWA Condemns Disrespect Shown to National Award-Winning Singer Shilpa Rao at the Bollywood Music Project 10th Edition

Mumbai, 25 October 2026

The All Indian Cine Workers Association (AICWA) strongly condemns the treatment of National Award-winning singer Shilpa Rao during her live performance at the 10th edition of the Bollywood Music Project (BMP) in Mumbai on 24 October 2026.

Shilpa Rao was performing live on stage when her microphone and lights were forcibly switched off by the organisers. She remained on stage for some time. After her mic was switched off, another performer, Kutle Khan of the Kutle Khan Project, was allowed to sing in her place, and he began singing midway through her address. Forcibly cutting a performing artist’s sound and lighting mid-show, and then handing the stage to another act, is completely unacceptable.

Shilpa Rao is a National Award winner and one of the most respected voices in Indian music. Her songs have been loved by audiences across the country, including “Tose Naina” (Anwar), “Khuda Jaane” (Bachna Ae Haseeno), “Bulleya” (Ae Dil Hai Mushkil), “Chaleya” (Jawan) and “Ghungroo” (War). To treat an artist of her stature this way, on the stage of an anniversary edition, is a direct insult to her dignity and to the honour she has earned.

When the mic and lights were switched off, the audience stood by Shilpa Rao and kept calling out her name, lifting her spirits. In a heartfelt note on Instagram, she wrote that a little piece of her heart broke that night, that the audience’s love was felt even after the music stopped, and that she will come back to Mumbai. AICWA salutes the audience for standing with a true artist.

AICWA’s position:

•AICWA condemns, in the harshest terms, the humiliation the Bollywood Music Project inflicted on National Award-winning singer Shilpa Rao while she was performing live on stage. Such behaviour towards an artist will never be tolerated.

•AICWA stands firmly with Shilpa Rao. If she chooses to take any action against the Bollywood Music Project, AICWA will support her through every legal avenue.

•If any artist is mistreated in the future, AICWA will take strict action against those responsible, as per the law. The humiliation of an artist will not be tolerated.

•We call on the organisers to respect artists. If this behaviour continues, artists will refuse to perform at their events.

•Artists are invited to showcase their art. Paying for a performance does not mean owning the performer. Anyone who believes otherwise is mistaken, and that attitude is wrong.

•An artist wants respect, not humiliation. No artist should ever face such treatment on a live stage.

| #ShilpaRao | #AICWA | #AllIndianCineWorkersAssociation | #Singer | #BollywoodMusicProject |

| @shilparao11 | @bmp_online | @ANI | @PTI_News | @ians_india |

— All Indian Cine Workers Association (@aicwaofficial) October 25, 2026

In a long post on its official X account, AICWA called it completely unacceptable to forcibly switch off a performing artist’s sound and lighting mid-show and then hand the stage to another act.

“AICWA condemns, in the harshest terms, the humiliation the Bollywood Music Project inflicted on National Award-winning singer Shilpa Rao while she was performing live on stage. Such behaviour towards an artist will never be tolerated,” the statement read.

The association added that if Rao “chooses to take any action against the Bollywood Music Project, AICWA will support her through every legal avenue”.

It also warned of consequences for future incidents. “If any artist is mistreated in the future, AICWA will take strict action against those responsible, as per the law. The humiliation of an artist will not be tolerated. We call on the organisers to respect artists. If this behaviour continues, artists will refuse to perform at their events,” the statement said.

Shilpa Rao’s note after the show

Rao herself released a statement after the show saying she was heartbroken over what happened. In a note on Instagram, she wrote, “Mumbai, a little piece of my heart broke tonight. It hurts deeply to have something so beautiful taken away from us like this.”

She also thanked the audience for staying with her. “But even when the music stopped, you did not. The way you kept calling my name, the love in your voices. I could feel it all. Our story tonight was left unfinished. I promise, I will come back. I love you, Mumbai. Forever and ever,” the singer added.