Actor Neil Nitin Mukesh has stepped down as the brand ambassador for the singing reality show The Universal Idol, citing significant payment issues. He claims that several cheques issued to him have bounced, leading to his withdrawal from the project.
In a detailed statement shared on social media, Neil expressed his frustration over the situation. He indicated that he is considering legal action, emphasizing his rights to seek possible remedies concerning the financial dispute.
On Monday, Neil took to X, formerly known as Twitter, to announce his departure from the show associated with HMC Events. He explained that the bounced cheques represent a “breach of trust,” and despite numerous attempts by him and his team to address the issue, their efforts have been unsuccessful.
“Dear All, This is to formally announce my exit as Brand Ambassador from ‘The Universal Idol’ associated with HMC Events,” Neil stated. He revealed that despite repeated assurances from the organizers, the payments he was promised were not made, leading to his decision to terminate all current and future associations with the event.
Neil underscored the importance of transparency in the entertainment industry, noting that he wanted to alert fellow artists about similar potential pitfalls. “This note is issued in the interest of transparency and to caution fellow artists, partners, vendors, and collaborators to exercise due diligence,” he concluded.
The Universal Idol is described on its official website as an international singing competition aimed at discovering exceptional vocal talents globally. Contestants were selected after a series of auditions in multiple countries, including India, Pakistan, and the UAE.
In his acting career, Neil Nitin Mukesh has gained recognition since his Bollywood debut in 2007 with Johnny Gaddaar. He has starred in notable films such as New York and Prem Ratan Dhan Payo. After a brief hiatus during the pandemic, he made a comeback in 2024 with Hisaab Barabar, featuring R. Madhavan. Additionally, he ventured into web series, playing a musician in the JioHotstar show Hai Junoon, and he will soon appear in the Malayalam film Khalifa.