Bollywood actor Neil Nitin Mukesh has officially withdrawn from his role as the brand ambassador of the international music reality show ‘The Universal Idol’, citing non-payment of his agreed remuneration as the primary reason for the abrupt exit. The actor shared a detailed statement on social media outlining his grievances, alleging that promised fees were repeatedly not honoured by the show’s organisers.

Claims of Unpaid Dues and Bounced Cheques

In his statement on February 23, the Prem Ratan Dhan Payo star revealed that several cheques issued to him as part of his payment had been returned unpaid, an issue he described as a “serious breach of trust and commitment.”

According to Mukesh, he and his team attempted multiple times to resolve the matter amicably. However, despite repeated assurances from the event organisers, nothing materialised, compelling him to sever ties with the project.

“I am formally announcing my exit as Brand Ambassador from The Universal Idol associated with HMC Events,” Mukesh wrote, adding that his agreed dues were never cleared and the bounced cheques made continuing impossible.

Cuts All Ties With Organisers

Mukesh specifically named HMC Events and individual Shakeel Hassan — founder and CEO of The Universal Idol and managing director of HMC Events — in his statement. He confirmed that he has withdrawn from all present and future associations with them and their associates with immediate effect.

In his note, he clarified that the public announcement was made “in the interest of transparency,” and to alert his peers across the entertainment industry about the issues he faced.

Warning to Industry Peers

Beyond announcing his exit, Mukesh also issued a caution to fellow artists, partners, vendors and collaborators about exercising due diligence when entering contractual agreements. He urged them to be mindful of commitments and payment assurances in professional dealings.

“I reserve all rights to pursue appropriate remedies available to me under law,” he added at the end of his statement, indicating that legal action may be pursued if necessary.

No Official Response From Organisers

As of now, there has been no public response from the organisers of The Universal Idol or HMC Events regarding Mukesh’s allegations. The silence from the production side has drawn questions within industry circles and among fans about the credibility of the programme’s management.

The Universal Idol is marketed as an international singing competition aimed at discovering vocal talents from across the world, with contestants reportedly selected from auditions held in several countries, including India, Pakistan and the UAE.

Mukesh’s Recent Career

On the work front, Neil Nitin Mukesh has continued acting across Indian cinema. He was last seen in the 2025 black-comedy thriller Ek Chatur Naar and is set to appear in the upcoming Malayalam film Khalifa.

His exit from The Universal Idol adds to growing conversations about contractual disputes and financial accountability in the entertainment industry, particularly surrounding high-profile talent engagements.

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