Earlier this year, veteran playback singer Udit Narayan faced public backlash after a video surfaced of him kissing a female fan during a concert, sparking discussions around personal boundaries and consent in celebrity culture. The criticism intensified when old videos of Udit kissing female singers like Shreya Ghoshal and Alka Yagnik also resurfaced online.

In an interview with SCREEN by The Indian Express, his son and singer Aditya Narayan addressed the controversy for the first time. Aditya revealed that Udit was initially confused by the backlash, as he comes from a different generation where such gestures were interpreted differently. He explained that in his father’s time, acts of affection from and toward fans were viewed more casually, with little awareness of concepts like consent.

Aditya took the responsibility of explaining the modern understanding of consent to his father, emphasizing that public figures are held to a higher standard and must be mindful of how their actions are perceived. He pointed out that while expressions of admiration from fans may not make headlines, how a celebrity responds can have major consequences. Aditya also noted that had the incident involved someone younger, it might not have been considered as serious, but context and age matter in today’s environment.

He stressed that his father had no ill intent and is now aware of the evolving standards of public behavior. According to Aditya, Udit Narayan has taken the criticism seriously and is open to learning and changing with the times. He added that no public figure should be denied the opportunity to learn from their mistakes. Wrapping up, Aditya described their family as humble and evolving, highlighting Udit Narayan’s willingness to adapt and grow.

On the professional front, Aditya has several exciting projects lined up.