Snehashish roy
Playback singer Abhijeet Bhattacharya has opened up about the advice he gave fellow singer Udit Narayan after the latter found himself at the centre of a controversy over a viral concert video. Recalling the incident, Abhijeet said he encouraged Udit not to deny or defend what had happened but instead acknowledge it openly and move on, adding that he stood by his colleague when the criticism was at its peak.
Speaking in an interview with journalist Subhojit Ghosh, Abhijeet said he believed Udit should have taken a straightforward approach instead of getting caught up in the public backlash. According to the veteran singer, he told Udit, “Just say yes, I kissed because someone kissed me. Say it openly.” Abhijeet recalled advising him to explain that if fans greet him with hugs or kisses out of affection, there was nothing unusual about reciprocating such gestures.
“I told him, ‘You’re Udit Narayan. If people won’t kiss you, then who will they kiss? If 50 people kiss you and you kiss one of them back, what’s the big deal? Just say, “Yes, I did,”‘” Abhijeet said, revealing that he publicly defended Udit throughout the controversy. He added that he remained supportive even when Udit himself had become disheartened by the criticism.
The controversy dates back to 2025, when videos from one of Udit Narayan’s live concerts went viral on social media. The clips showed the veteran playback singer kissing female fans who had approached him for selfies while he was performing. The footage sparked widespread debate online, with many questioning whether the interaction crossed personal boundaries and raised issues of consent.
Responding to the backlash at the time, Udit maintained that the moments were spontaneous expressions of affection between an artiste and his admirers. He argued that such incidents often occur during live performances because fans become emotionally overwhelmed and insisted there was no malicious intent behind his actions.
During the same interview, Abhijeet also reflected on another controversy involving singer Sonu Nigam. He recalled standing by Sonu in 2017 after the latter’s comments about loudspeakers used for the azaan triggered widespread debate. Abhijeet said he has always believed in supporting his friends during difficult times, regardless of whether their opinions are popular or not.
The singer noted that loyalty has always been important to him and that he does not distance himself from colleagues simply because they become embroiled in controversy. According to Abhijeet, he prefers to offer advice privately while also defending those he believes deserve support in the public eye.
Abhijeet’s latest comments have reignited conversations around Udit Narayan’s viral concert moment, with social media users once again divided over the incident. While some agreed with Abhijeet’s view that the singer should have openly acknowledged what happened instead of explaining it away, others maintained that the issue was about consent and professional boundaries rather than public perception.
Known for chartbusters such as Main Koi Aisa Geet Gaoon, Zara Sa Jhoom Loon Main and Ole Ole, Abhijeet has remained one of Bollywood’s most recognisable playback voices for over three decades. His candid remarks on industry controversies have often generated headlines, and his latest defence of Udit Narayan has once again sparked discussion about celebrity accountability and fan interactions.