Cinema VinesIn a recent chat with The Lallantop, veteran playback singer Kumar Sanu let slip a playful jab at his former rival‑turned‑friend Udit Narayan. The exchange came amid a wave of criticism that has been swirling around Narayan’s 2025 live‑performance videos, in which the singer was seen kissing female fans during a concert.
During the interview, Kumar highlighted how the two legends once battled for the top hits of the 1990s, but now enjoy a friendly rapport. He laughed that their past rivalry had nothing left to lose, and seized the moment to tease Narayan over the viral clips. “No one kissed me, I didn’t kiss anyone,” Kumar said, referring to the footage. “I neither gave nor received a kiss. I didn’t do any of that.”
Udit Narayan’s controversy began when videos from a 2025 performance surfaced online. In one clip, a female fan leaned in to kiss the singer on the cheek, and the two briefly touched lips. The footage quickly went viral, sparking backlash over consent and the appropriateness of such interactions. More clips later emerged, showing Narayan engaging closely with female singers and fans, further fueling the debate.
Addressing the uproar, Narayan told HT City that fans can be “crazy” but that he and his colleagues are “decent people.” He added that fans often seek a handshake or a light kiss, and that such moments are part of fan enthusiasm. He urged the public not to over‑exaggerate the situation, noting that security measures are in place to manage large crowds.
While Kumar Sanu’s quip was meant in jest, it underscores the lingering tension surrounding the incident. The singer’s light‑hearted tone contrasts sharply with the serious concerns raised about fan interactions and artist boundaries, a conversation that continues to evolve in the wake of the viral videos.
