Punjabi singer Karan Aujla’s upcoming concerts in Lucknow and Ludhiana have been cancelled, dealing a blow to fans weeks after his Mumbai show drew sharp criticism over mismanagement and safety concerns.
The shows, originally scheduled for April 10 (Lucknow) and April 12 (Ludhiana), were part of Aujla’s ongoing P-Pop Culture India Tour. Ticketing platform District confirmed the cancellations to ticket holders, citing “logistical difficulties” and initiating full refunds.
Organisers deny backlash link, cite permit issues
While initial reports suggested the cancellations were a fallout from the controversy surrounding Aujla’s March 3 Holi concert in Mumbai, the organisers have strongly refuted this.
In an official statement, Team Innovation, the event organisers, clarified that the decision was purely due to regulatory and operational constraints. “The decision to cancel the scheduled shows was taken after careful and responsible evaluation of regulatory and operational constraints, most notably the non-issuance of mandatory liquor permits by local authorities,” the statement read.
The organisers emphasised that such permits are critical for executing designated hospitality zones and premium audience experiences. “Without these approvals, the event ecosystem would have been materially compromised,” they added, categorically denying any link to the previous backlash as “misleading, incomplete and factually incorrect”.
Administrative hurdles in Lucknow
Adding to the permit issues, a local administration official in Lucknow confirmed the cancellation, pointing to several ground-level challenges. These included difficulty securing a suitable venue due to scheduled matches and concerns about the show’s commercial viability due to high ticket pricing.
The Mumbai flashpoint
The backdrop to these cancellations is the intense scrutiny Aujla faced following his Holi Edition concert at the MMRDA grounds in Mumbai on March 3.
Attendees had complained of a near stampede-like situation, extreme heat, and a lack of basic amenities, with several fans reportedly fainting. In response to the outcry, Aujla and his team announced a compensatory “Mumbai 2.0” concert, scheduled for the night of April 12, offering free access to those who attended the troubled March show.
Tour continues
Despite the setbacks in North India, the tour is moving forward. Aujla performed in Jaipur on April 5 as scheduled. While no official announcement has been made regarding rescheduling the cancelled shows, organisers have hinted that future dates might be considered.
