NAME: Daler Singh Mehndi

AGE: Doesn’t matter

NATIONALITY: Indian

CLAIM TO FAME: The king of bhangra-pop accused of running an illegal human trafficking racket

IT sounds like a plot right out of a Bollywood thriller — a megastar adored by millions turns out to be someone suspected of shady deals. As the drama unfolds, the superstar pleads innocence and accuses his near ones of defaming him. What is the world to believe? As police try to uncover the truth, the star goes into hiding and his fans hold their breath and watch while the media has a ball following and playing up the whole drama.

Daler Mehndi, India’s best-known bhangra artist, his brother, Shamsher Singh, and three others have been charged for their alleged role in illegal human trafficking after as many as 31 such complaints were filed against them. According to police, the original charges were filed on the basis of a single complaint from a young man, Bakshish Singh, who said he was promised to be taken to North America as a musical tour worker. And when local newspapers reported the story, more individuals came forward to complain. The police Daler and his accomplices of defrauding hopeful migrants out of sums ranging from $25,000 to $30,000. According to the charges, the would-be migrants were told they would be taken on tours to Western nations disguised as dancers in Mehndi’s bhangra troupe.

While his brother Shamsher Singh has been detained by police, Mehndi is on the run. A non-bailable arrest warrant has been issued for him and raids are being carried out to nab the pop star. “I am innocent and will be found innocent. I was busy with my work, and not on the run,” Mehndi told a TV channel as police searched for the singer. He added that celebrities shouldn’t be dragged into controversies without proof and denied the accusations that he was involved in an illegal immigration racket.

At the same time a filmi twist was added to the story when Mehndi issued a statement that he had disowned his brother, Shamsher Singh, four years ago and had no business dealings with him. The pop star added that his older brother misused his name and even accused him of having impersonated the singer.

Known for his jazzy outfits and bejewelled turbans, Mehndi has always appeared as a very unassuming and down-to-earth person in his interviews. Born in Patna, Daler comes from a musical family whose members used to sing in the local gurudwara. He trained under Ustad Rahat Ali Khan Sahib of Gorakhpur.

Daler first struck gold with his album Bolo Ta Ra Ra in 1995. Peppy tracks, full of foot-tapping rhythms, a rich voice, zestful lyrics, infused with Mendhi’s own brand of charm and histrionics, did beautifully on the charts. This was followed by rapid releases in the form of Ho Jaayegi Balle Balle and Tunak Tunak Tun. and there has been no looking back for the pop star as all his albums became instant hits. It is hard to believe that the pop star who brought a revolution in Punjabi music by blending it with folk songs and western lyrics could have a darker side to his personality. The world watches as the show goes on.