Cinema VinesWhen Udit Narayan was caught on camera kissing a fan during a live rendition of “Tip Tip Barsa Paani” last year, the clip went viral and sparked a wave of criticism across social media. The 69‑year‑old playback legend, who has recorded songs in a dozen languages and won four National Film Awards, was seen returning kisses to a crowd of enthusiastic listeners. At one point, he allegedly kissed a female fan on the lips as she leaned in to kiss him on the cheek, a move that many viewers found inappropriate for a public performance.
In the wake of the backlash, Narayan defended his actions in an interview with the Hindustan Times, stating, “Fans are crazy. We aren’t like that. We are decent.” He explained that the enthusiasm of the crowd can lead to “handshakes, hand kisses, and other expressions of love,” and that such gestures should not be over‑examined. The singer’s remarks, however, did little to quell the outrage, and the incident became a headline story across entertainment news outlets.
Amid the controversy, fellow singer Abhijeet Bhattacharya stepped forward to defend his longtime friend. In a recent appearance on Subhojit Ghosh’s YouTube channel, Bhattacharya revealed that he had advised Narayan to admit the incident rather than deny it. “Just say yes, I kissed because someone kissed me. Say it openly—that yes, I’ll do it too,” Bhattacharya told the audience. He added that he had encouraged Narayan to “accept it and move on,” and that he would stand by him publicly if needed.
Bhattacharya emphasized that friendship in the industry means standing up for one another. “When I consider someone a friend, I stand by them wholeheartedly,” he said. “No one speaks up for me; I’m always the one speaking up for them.” The singer’s support was seen as a rare show of solidarity in a field where public image and reputation are often fragile.
While Narayan’s career has spanned decades and includes iconic hits such as “Qayamat Se Qayamat Tak,” “Rangeela,” and “Devdas,” the kiss controversy has cast a shadow over his recent performances. Fans and critics alike are now watching to see how the singer will navigate the fallout and whether the incident will impact his future engagements.
