Singer Shilpa Rao’s recent performance at the Bollywood Music Project in Mumbai has sparked controversy after her microphone and stage lights were reportedly switched off while she was still performing. The incident took place on October 24, 2026, during the festival’s 10th-anniversary celebrations. The All Indian Cine Workers Association (AICWA) has now expressed its support for the singer and strongly criticised the organisers over the incident.
According to the association, Shilpa was in the middle of her performance when the organisers abruptly cut off the sound and lighting. Despite the interruption, the singer reportedly remained on stage for some time. Shortly afterwards, Kutle Khan of the Kutle Khan Project took over the stage and began his performance.
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
Reacting to the incident, AICWA issued an official statement on X on Sunday, October 25, condemning the treatment of the National Award-winning singer. The association described the organisers’ actions as disrespectful and questioned the decision to interrupt an artist’s performance in such a manner.
In its statement, AICWA said, “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.”
The statement further read, “Shilpa Rao was performing live on stage when her microphone and lights were forcibly switched off by the organisers.”
The association also raised concerns about another performer being allowed to take over while Shilpa was reportedly still on stage. It maintained that such treatment was unacceptable, regardless of the circumstances surrounding the event.
“Forcibly cutting a performing artist’s sound and lighting mid-show, and then handing the stage to another act, is completely unacceptable,” AICWA stated.
The organisation also highlighted the audience’s reaction to the incident. According to its statement, fans continued chanting Shilpa’s name even after her microphone was switched off, showing their support for the singer.
AICWA added, “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.”
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