On March 23, 2025, singer Neha Kakkar faced severe backlash during her concert in Melbourne after she arrived three hours late. The event, which was eagerly anticipated, quickly turned into a scene of chaos as Kakkar took to the stage amid loud booing and frustration from fans.
As she stepped on stage, a visibly emotional Kakkar attempted to address the audience’s concerns. Holding back tears, she said, “Guys, you are really sweet! You have been patient. Itni der se aap log wait kar rahe ho. I hate it, maine life mein kabhi kisi ko wait nahi karwaya hai. Aap itni der se wait kar rahe ho (You have been waiting for me for so long. I hate it, I have never made anyone wait in my life but you are waiting for me).” In an emotional plea, she continued, “I’m so sorry! It means a lot to me. I will remember this evening forever. Aaj aap log mere liye itna kimti time nikaal kar aaye ho (People are still taking out their precious time for me). I will make sure that I will make you all dance.”
Despite her heartfelt apology, Kakkar's reassurances did little to pacify the audience. Some concertgoers were heard shouting, “Go back! Rest in your hotel!” Another voice chimed in with, “This is not India, you’re in Australia!" Further mocking her emotional display, one audience member remarked, “Very good acting! Yeh Indian Idol nahi hai. Bachchon ke saath nahi gaa rahi ho (This isn’t Indian Idol, you are not singing with the kids).”
The backlash intensified following Kakkar's late entrance, leading to her performing for less than an hour. An attendee posted on social media, “Came to the stage at 10pm for a 7:30 show. Then doing drama of crying. Then wrapped up in less than an hour. Such a crap concert, heights of unprincipled.” These comments highlighted the anger and disappointment that many felt about the performance.
In the wake of the event, reactions on social media were mixed. While many expressed anger over the situation, some fans defended Kakkar, suggesting her apology showed vulnerability and sincerity. One fan stated, “Whatever the situation is, always respect emotions,” countering the criticism directed at the singer.
Prior to the Melbourne concert, Kakkar had performed in Sydney, where she received a warm reception. Known for popular tracks such as “Badri Ki Dulhaniya,” “Coca Cola,” and “Sunny Sunny,” Kakkar has built a reputation as one of Bollywood’s top singers. However, this recent incident has stirred considerable controversy and could potentially impact her public image.
In response to the negative feedback, Kakkar has largely remained silent about the incident, focusing instead on her social media presence. On March 25, just days after the concert, she shared a photo of herself with her pet dog, captioning it, “Positivitea,” indicating her attempt to maintain a positive outlook amidst the controversy.
The Melbourne concert fiasco casts a shadow over Kakkar’s otherwise glittering career, raising questions about professionalism and the responsibilities of public figures towards their audiences. As her fans await her next move, only time will tell how Kakkar will navigate the fallout from this incident and whether it will have lasting implications for her career.
Wapas Jaao"">
