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AICWA condemns the alleged mistreatment of Shilpa Rao at Bollywood Music Project in Mumbai, warning of legal action against organisers for disrespecting the singer.
Shilpa Rao’s Fans Stand By Her After Mumbai Show Ends Without A Proper Farewell.
Shilpa Rao is in the headlines following videos from Mumbai’s Bollywood Music Project circulating online. The singer’s set was allegedly cut off midway, with her mic switched off and the stage lights going out while she was still on stage. The event’s management has since been receiving a lot of backlash for disrespecting a National Award-winning artist. The All Indian Cine Workers Association (AICWA), too, has put out a post condemning what happened to Rao on October 24 during the event.
In a long post, AICWA penned, “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.”
AICWA Condemns Disrespect Shown to National Award-Winning Singer Shilpa Rao at the Bollywood Music Project 10th EditionMumbai, 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
Describing the situation, the post reads, “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.”
The post further added, “Shilpa Rao is a National Award winner and one of the most respected voices in Indian music. 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.”
The association further warned all the organisers, “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.”
“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.”
Quick Answers
Ask News18During her performance at the 10th edition of the Bollywood Music Project in Mumbai on October 24, 2026, Shilpa Rao’s microphone and stage lights were forcibly switched off mid-show by organizers. Another act was then allowed to perform in her place while she was still on stage.
Ask News18October 25, 2026, 15:50 IST
