After Vishal Dadlani, Antara Mitra criticizes Jasleen Royal’s Coldplay concert opening act; says, 'Put music first'

Antara Mitra and Jasleen Royal

Jasleen Royal, who made history as the first Indian artist to open for Coldplay during their Music of the Spheres tour in Mumbai, has found herself at the center of a heated debate. While her achievement was initially celebrated, criticism from fans and fellow musicians has cast a shadow over her performance. Singer Antara Mitra has joined the discussion, openly expressing her disappointment with Jasleen’s act.

Antara took to Instagram to share her thoughts, posting a video of Jasleen’s performance alongside a blunt critique. “I am shamelessly calling this out! Because someone from the same field should! I have an iron gut so I am doing it! Please all you biggies out there taking decisions of this level! My only request is please put music on top and then your number game,” she wrote.

This comes after Vishal Dadlani, playback singer and composer, also voiced his disapproval. Though Vishal refrained from directly naming Jasleen, fans speculated that his scathing Instagram story, later deleted but circulated on Reddit, was aimed at her. “I’m really sorry, but when you put a basic-to-bad singer in front of a large crowd on a large stage, all you’re doing is showing more people that the individual can’t really sing,” Vishal wrote. He also criticised the industry for failing to prioritise true talent, calling the situation “embarrassing” for the artist, the audience, and the Indian music scene.

While some attendees described Jasleen’s performance as “out of tune” and “unbearable,” others defended her, appreciating her courage to perform before an audience of thousands.

Jasleen, known for her soulful hits like Ranjha and Din Shagna Da, is celebrated for her unique musical style. However, the scale and expectations of opening for a global act like Coldplay appear to have magnified scrutiny of her performance.
Coldplay’s Mumbai concerts, held on January 18, 19, and 21 at DY Patil Stadium, were a massive success, with thousands of fans singing along to the band’s iconic hits. Chris Martin and his bandmates delivered unforgettable performances, making the India leg of their tour a dream come true for many. However, the backlash surrounding Jasleen’s opening act added an unexpected controversy to the otherwise jubilant events.

Coldplay is set to perform in Ahmedabad on January 25 and 26.