Months after a video of veteran Bollywood singer Udit Narayan kissing female fans during a performance sparked controversy, the singer is seemingly moving on, but the incident remains a talking point.

The Kissing Controversy In early 2025, a video went viral showing Udit Narayan kissing female fans during a live show. The undated clip showed Narayan initially kissing fans on the cheek as they took selfies with him. However, the situation took a turn when he unexpectedly kissed one fan on the lips. The woman appeared visibly shocked and seemingly attempted to break free from the kiss.

The video ignited a wave of criticism online, with many questioning the singer's actions and some even suggesting the video was AI-generated. Social media users expressed disbelief and outrage, with some calling the behavior "disgusting" and questioning whether a singer of his stature should be more conscious of his public actions.

Narayan's Defense Udit Narayan responded to the controversy by dismissing the criticism and insisting that the video was simply a "manifestation of the love between my fans and I". He stated that there was nothing sleazy about it and that his intentions were pure. Narayan suggested that the timing of the video's resurfacing, months after it was apparently taken, was suspicious and hinted at a possible attempt to tarnish his reputation.

In an interview with Hindustan Times, Narayan called the fans' actions "deewangi" (craziness) and said that some people "encourage" this type of behavior. He added that there are bodyguards present at his concerts, but fans feel it's their chance to connect with him. He downplayed the incident, stating, "This is all just fan craze. One shouldn't pay too much attention to it".

Narayan also addressed the specific instance of kissing a female fan on the lips, stating that in his 46 years in Bollywood, his image has never been that of someone who forcefully kisses fans. He said he folds his hands when he sees the love his fans shower on him, acknowledging that such moments may not come again. He also questioned why he would engage in any behavior that could tarnish his legacy.

Reactions and Resurfaced Clips The controversy led to the resurfacing of old clips showing Narayan kissing fellow singers Alka Yagnik and Shreya Ghoshal at various events. In one instance, he kissed Alka Yagnik on the cheek during Indian Idol, leaving her visibly shocked. Another clip showed Alka appearing uncomfortable as he kissed her at a separate event. Similarly, he hugged and kissed Shreya Ghoshal on the cheek after she won an award, prompting a moment of discomfort before she smiled.

Social media users reacted to Narayan's comments, with some arguing that a kiss is still a kiss, regardless of how old the video is. Others suggested that his actions might deter women from approaching him in the future.

Recent Developments More recently, Udit Narayan seemingly addressed the controversy with a touch of humor. At an event for the film Pintu Ki Pappi, he joked with choreographer Ganesh Acharya, saying, "You should change the title. Pappi (kiss) is fine... It's not Udit Ki Pappi, right?". He also clarified that the video was taken two years ago during a concert in Australia and that the music release had coincidentally brought the old clip back into the public eye.