Veteran singer Daler Mehndi found himself at the centre of a controversy after Uttarakhand cabinet minister Subodh Uniyal accused him of being inebriated during a cultural performance organised as part of the Navratri festivities. The minister also claimed that the singer was paid Rs 35 lakh for the performance but was lip-syncing to his songs.

Amid the controversy, SCREEN spoke exclusively to director and writer Raaj Shaandilyaa , who worked with Daler Mehndi on the recreation of his iconic pop song “Na Na Na Na Na Re” for the film Vicky Vidya Ka Woh Wala Video. Recalling his experience of working with the singer, Raaj vouched for his professionalism and said he had never seen him consume alcohol. “When I was shooting this song with Daler Mehndi at the Ganga ghat, it was peak winter.…