Filmmaker Vivek Agnihotri has joined the growing list of critics slamming Jasleen Royal's opening performance at Coldplay's Mumbai concerts, following earlier comments from singer Antara Mitra and composer Vishal Dadlani.
The director recently shared a video from the performance on his X (formerly Twitter) account and stated that the audience sounded more melodious than Jasleen herself.
He wrote, "The audience is more sureela than these auto-tuned, Instagram-generated singers. Imagine if she didn't have followers on Instagram, would anyone have even allowed her to audition for a mohalla singing contest? Follower count over talent is the new norm."
The audience is more sureela than these auto-tuned, Instagram-generated singers. Imagine if she didn't have followers on Instagram, would anyone have even allowed her to audition for a mohalla singing contest?
— Vivek Ranjan Agnihotri (@vivekagnihotri) January 24, 2025
Follower count over talent is the new norm. pic.twitter.com/waQRgoVhJV
Earlier, Antara Mitra had also voiced her concerns and said, "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 making these decisions, my only request is to prioritize music over numbers."
Vishal Dadlani had similarly criticised the performance in an Instagram story that was later deleted but resurfaced on Reddit. Although he didn't take names, fans speculated that his comments were directed at Jasleen.
He wrote, "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. Sadly, the systems within labels in India aren't geared to promote the best we have. I've seen some clips, and my gosh... How embarrassing! For the country, the artiste, the public, and the scene."
ICYDK, Jasleen made history as the first Indian artist to open for the British band, with plans to perform at Coldplay's upcoming Ahmedabad shows as well.
