Singer Shilpa Rao’s performance at the Bollywood Music Project in Mumbai ended abruptly, leaving fans disappointedThe organisers have now issued an apology.
Published: October 25, 2026, 1:27 PM IST
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Shilpa Rao (PC: Instagram)
Singer Shilpa Rao’s live performances are known for bringing audiences together through music, but her recent appearance at a Mumbai festival ended on an unexpected noteWhat was supposed to be an evening of songs and celebration turned uncomfortable when her microphone was switched off before she could complete her setThe situation became even more upsetting when she tried to address the audience, only for the next performance to begin while she was still on stageThe incident drew criticism from fans, who questioned the event’s managementNow, the organisers have responded to the backlash and explained what led to the abrupt end of her performance.
Shilpa Rao’s performance cut short at Bollywood Music Project in Mumbai
Shilpa performed at the 10th anniversary edition of the Bollywood Music Project (BMP), held in Mumbai on Saturday, October 24, 2026However, her set did not go as planned, as technical issues and delays affected her performance.
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According to reports, Shilpa’s microphone was switched off while she was performing Chuttamalle from Devara: Part 1She reportedly waited for a replacement microphone after facing sound issues, but the disruption continued. After her performance was cut short, Shilpa attempted to thank the audience for their patience and supportHowever, her closing remarks were also interrupted when fellow performer Kutle Khan and his band began their set.
The incident left several attendees disappointed, with many taking to social media to criticise the festival’s managementFans questioned why the singer was not given enough time to finish her performance and bid farewell to the audience.
Shilpa later shared an emotional message on Instagram, thanking her fans for standing by her despite the interruptionShe wrote, “Mumbai, a little piece of my heart broke tonightIt hurts deeply to have something so beautiful taken away from us like this. But even when the music stopped, you did notThe way you kept calling my name, the love in your voicesI could feel it all. Our story tonight was left unfinishedI promise, I will come back.”
Bollywood Music Project organisers apologise after Shilpa Rao’s mic incident
Following the criticism, the organisers of the Bollywood Music Project issued a statement on their official Instagram account, apologising to Shilpa, her team and the audience.
The statement reads, “We deeply apologiseAt BMP, our mission is always to deliver an unparalleled live music experience for both our artists and their fansWe want to address the abrupt conclusion of Shilpa Rao’s performance at this weekend’s festivalFirst and foremost, we hold Shilpa Rao in the highest regardWe deeply value and respect her incredible legacy, her unparalleled artistry, and the profound impact she continues to make on the music industryIt was an absolute honour to have her on our lineup.”
The organisers said they respected Shilpa’s contribution to the music industry and considered it an honour to have her perform at the festivalThey also acknowledged that her set had ended before she could complete it.
Explaining the reason behind the incident, BMP said large-scale music festivals involve several artists, complicated schedules and technical arrangementsAccording to the organisers, some earlier performances ran longer than planned, causing delays across the event. “Large-scale music festivals feature complex logistics and multi-artist lineupsDespite strict planning and coordination, live events can experience unpredictable operational shifts, including extended sets from earlier performances,” the statement read.
They added that local authority guidelines and venue curfew restrictions limited the time available to accommodate the delaysIt further says, “Because our festivals operate under strict local authority guidelines and venue curfew regulations, these compounding delays unfortunately forced a premature end to her setWhile these circumstances were entirely out of our control, we deeply regret that we could not showcase her performance in its entirety.”
The organisers further said they regretted being unable to present Shilpa’s complete performance and apologised to her fans, who had attended the festival to watch her sing.
The incident has sparked a wider conversation about event management and how artists are treated when live shows run behind scheduleWhile the organisers have apologised and cited operational restrictions, fans have questioned whether better planning could have prevented the situation.
