• Source:JND
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Indian singer Sona Mohapatra has once again spoken out against the Lollapalooza India 2026 line-up, criticising the limited presence of Indian artistes and questioning the mindset of those defending the festival. While the line-up features big international names such as Linkin Park, Playboi Carti, and YUNGBLUD, Indian bands like Bloodywood appear further down the billing. Taking to X (formerly Twitter), the Ambarsariya singer argued that local artistes deserve equal recognition and that international acts should not always be prioritised as the only “crowd pullers.” Her comments sparked debate, with Sona firmly hitting back at critics who dismissed her concerns.

On Sunday, the singer responded to a user who defended the line-up by saying that only international acts could draw audiences. Reacting sharply, she wrote, "And it is your worthless, 2 paisa (rupee) opinion that no Indian acts are ‘crowd pullers’ within India? That’s your low self-esteem speaking sadly. All the music festivals abroad honour their own homegrown acts and thereby build their brands upwards. We never will, thanks to attitudes like yours." Another user had argued that “The bands that are crowd-pullers will always be featured on top. This is Business! That's why they are called the headliners. Meaningless accusation.” To this, Sona replied by stressing that supporting Indian talent should not be dismissed as meaningless and highlighted how festivals abroad elevate their own local performers.

Meanwhile, the singer also confronted comments claiming she was “pulling down” other artistes. She wrote, "Low self-esteem? Blinders? This fellow doesn’t see me speaking up for my own desi artist brethren as a worthy stand. More worried about goddess knows..acts who have enough and more headlining stages in their own western lands, no one there is shedding tears or missing Indian artistes." In another response, Sona hit back at suggestions that she was undermining the quality of international performers. She stated, "Your inherent Western subservience is the only sad thing here. You have zero qualms in declaring their ‘superior quality’? Of course, they count on selling their wares to you wannabes."

On the other hand, earlier, she had also tweeted, "Can you imagine a Music Festival happening in the USA or any other country with desi bands / artist lineup & any goras or any others apart from diaspora showing up if at all they do? I call this the new Cultural Colonialism & like the past , our own are the first to bow down (I love you emoji)."

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Despite her criticism, Lollapalooza India 2026 promises a mix of global and Indian acts. Alongside Linkin Park, YUNGBLUD, Kehlani, and LANY, the stage will also see Indian performers like Bloodywood, OAFF-Savera, Ankur Tewari & The Ghalat Family, and tabla maestro Karsh Kale. The festival, set for January 24-25, 2026, in Mumbai, is also expected to introduce a new wave of indie talent, giving space to emerging artistes such as Sen, Zoya, Gini, Pacifist, Zokova, Gauley Bhai, Nate08, Pho, and many more.