Veteran playback singer Udit Narayan, who dominated the music industry in the 90s with his melodious voice, has recently found himself at the center of controversy. A video of him kissing a female fan on the lips went viral, sparking widespread criticism online. Many netizens deemed his actions ‘inappropriate,’ but the singer has dismissed the controversy, attributing it to the excitement of his fans. In a recent interview, Udit Narayan finally addressed the backlash he has been receiving.
Udit Narayan Says the Controversy Has Boosted His Fame
Speaking to Bollywood Hungama, Udit Narayan opened up about the criticism he has faced following the viral video. The Pehla Nasha singer stated that he is at a stage in his career where he has already achieved immense success, and he has no reason to do anything improper. Defending himself, he asserted that he did not believe his actions were scandalous.
He explained:
“What you saw in the so-called scandalous video was a manifestation of the love between my fans and I. They love me. I love them back even more.”
When asked whether he regretted the incident, Udit Narayan made it clear that he had no regrets whatsoever. Instead, he found the entire situation amusing. He also took a subtle jab at those criticizing him, saying that he actually felt sorry for them. At the same time, he thanked his detractors for making him even more famous.
“It is not something sleazy or secret. It is there in the public domain. My heart is pure. If some people want to see something dirty in my act of pure affection, then I feel sorry for them. I also want to thank them. Because now they’ve made me even more famous than I already was.”
Udit Narayan Aspires to Win Bharat Ratna Amid Controversy
During the interview, Udit Narayan also shared his aspirations for the future. Having received numerous prestigious awards throughout his career, he now hopes to be honored with the Bharat Ratna—the highest civilian award in India. He cited legendary singer Lata Mangeshkar, one of his idols, as an inspiration.
Additionally, Udit Narayan expressed his suspicion regarding the timing of the viral video, pointing out that it surfaced online months after the incident. Despite this, he remains undeterred and is determined to continue thriving in his career.
A Look at Udit Narayan’s Illustrious Career
Udit Narayan began his playback singing journey with Mil Gaya Mil Gaya from the 1980 film Unees Bees, with music composed by Rajesh Roshan. Over the years, he delivered numerous chartbusters, including Udja Kale Kawan, Tumse Milna, Pehla Nasha, Jaadu Teri Nazar, and many more. With a career spanning over four decades, he recently lent his voice to a reprise version of his iconic song Papa Kehte Hain for the Rajkummar Rao-starrer Srikanth.
What are your thoughts on Udit Narayan’s response to the controversy?