Composer Salim Merchant has recalled an emotional incident involving legendary singer Sukhwinder Singh and Priyanka Chopra, saying the singer left an event feeling “very sad” after the media’s attention shifted towards the actor when she arrived.
The incident reportedly took place when Priyanka Chopra was enjoying international recognition with Quantico and had returned to Bollywood for Prakash Jha’s Jai Gangaajal, which released in 2016.
Priyanka Chopra’s Arrival Changed the Focus
Speaking with Prakhar Gupta, Salim Merchant remembered an event where Sukhwinder Singh was performing when Priyanka arrived somewhat late.
According to Salim, the singer was on stage when the attention of photographers and other people at the venue suddenly moved towards Priyanka.
“Sukhwinder Singh was performing during the event. Priyanka’s Quantico was continuing its hit run at that time. She arrived a bit late for the event. Sukhwinder was singing, but suddenly, the focus shifted towards her,” Salim recalled.
The composer acknowledged that the reaction from the media was understandable given Priyanka’s profile at the time. She had returned from the US following the success of Quantico, while her Bollywood comeback project Jai Gangaajal was generating attention.
“I mean, it’s natural that the media and others turned towards her. She was the star of the film; there’s no doubt about it. And she had just returned from the US after Quantico’s massive success,” he said.
Sukhwinder Singh Was Reportedly Hurt by the Situation
While the attention shift may have been natural from a media perspective, Salim said Sukhwinder felt uncomfortable and upset by what happened.
According to the composer, the singer eventually decided to leave the venue. Salim said he accompanied him rather than allowing him to leave alone.
“But Sukhwinder felt so bad and awkward, and he left the venue. He was very sad. So, I accompanied him, and we went and had tea at my studio,” Salim added.
The anecdote highlights how even an apparently routine moment at a celebrity event can affect performers who are already on stage, particularly when the attention unexpectedly moves elsewhere.
Priyanka Chopra and Jai Gangaajal
At the time of the incident, Priyanka was balancing her growing international career with her Bollywood commitments. She played a tough police officer in Prakash Jha’s Jai Gangaajal, a follow-up to the filmmaker’s 2003 crime drama Gangaajal.
The 2016 film featured Prakash Jha, Manav Kaul and Ninad Kamat alongside Priyanka. The project marked another prominent Hindi film appearance for the actor during the period when Quantico was expanding her global profile.
Priyanka Chopra’s Upcoming Projects
Priyanka Chopra continues to maintain a presence in both Indian and international entertainment.
She is set to star in SS Rajamouli’s Varanasi alongside Mahesh Babu and Prithviraj Sukumaran. The film is expected to mark her major return to Indian cinema following The Sky Is Pink, which released in 2019.
Varanasi is currently slated for a global release on April 7, 2027. Priyanka also has the international project Reset, which co-stars Orlando Bloom.
Meanwhile, Salim Merchant’s recollection of the Sukhwinder Singh incident offers a glimpse into the unpredictable dynamics of celebrity events, where a star’s arrival can sometimes dramatically alter the atmosphere in a matter of moments.
