Mumbai: Singer and music composer Vishal Dadlani publicly apologised to singer-songwriter Jasleen Royal on the sets of Indian Idol, bringing an end to their public disagreement that began earlier this year following remarks about her performance during Coldplay’s India tour.
The reconciliation took place in the presence of rapper Badshah, with Dadlani apologising on stage before the two artists embraced. Badshah later reacted to the moment on social media, describing it as “such a beautiful moment.”
Controversy began after Coldplay concert
The disagreement dates back to January 2025, when Jasleen Royal performed as the opening act for Coldplay during the band’s India tour.
Following the performance, clips from the concert circulated widely on social media, drawing mixed reactions from viewers.
Vishal Dadlani had publicly criticised the performance on Instagram, expressing disappointment and suggesting that the organisers should have chosen a stronger live performer. His comments sparked widespread debate within the music industry and among fans.
Dadlani issues public apology
During Jasleen Royal’s appearance on Indian Idol to promote her song “Inaam” alongside Badshah, Dadlani addressed the controversy.
He said he had known Jasleen for a long time and acknowledged that he had spoken more harshly than he should have.
Dadlani clarified that his criticism was intended to question the organisers’ decision rather than discourage Jasleen as an artist.
He also praised her songwriting abilities, noting that India has relatively few successful female music composers and that he never intended to undermine her work.
Offering a public apology, he said he genuinely regretted the manner in which he had expressed his views.
Jasleen Royal accepts apology
Jasleen Royal accepted the apology and shared that the earlier criticism had affected her deeply.
She said Dadlani had always been someone she respected as both a mentor and a friend, making the public remarks particularly difficult for her.
The exchange concluded with the two artists hugging on stage, signalling that they had resolved their differences.
Badshah reacts to reconciliation
Badshah, who witnessed the exchange during the show’s recording, later responded to a video of the reconciliation shared on social media.
Commenting on the post, he described it as “such a beautiful moment” and added a heart emoji, reflecting his appreciation for the public reconciliation.
The video quickly gained traction online, with many fans welcoming the gesture and praising both artists for resolving their disagreement publicly.