When the lights flickered on the BMP stage, Kutle Khan’s eight‑minute set hit a sour note. He’d been told the slot was trimmed from 20 to 8 minutes, a decision he blamed on the organisers. In his Instagram clip he admits the clash was “not his doing” but insists he followed every instruction handed to him.
Meanwhile, Shilpa Rao’s planned closing act was abruptly terminated the moment her microphone and stage lights were switched off. She posted a tear‑filled note thanking Mumbai for staying loyal, saying “Mumbai, a piece of my heart broke tonight.” The abrupt cut spurred a wave of criticism against BMP, which accused the singer of misbehaving.
BMP’s own statement offers a different narrative, apologising for the “scheduling delays” that left Shilpa’s set unfinished. The organisers claimed they “hold Shilpa in the highest regard” and promised a review of their timing protocols. They pointed to earlier performances causing a domino effect, but didn’t detail how the technical glitch happened.
Kutle, who calls Rao a sister, has taken the heat with a sharp counter‑tweet. He says the trolling is “unfortunate” and urges fans to not target him. He adds that he paused his set to let Rao speak, only to be told through his in‑ear to “start, start,” and resumed.
With the festival now under scrutiny, BMP’s promise of a review will be tested when the next concert season rolls around. Fans are already demanding a transparent schedule, while Kutle’s own upcoming shows are under a magnifying glass. The incident reminds us that even the best‑planned events can spiral when timing goes awry.