Talwiinder says his world changed after viral video with Disha Patani

Punjabi singer Talwiinder has finally broken his silence after a leaked video revealing his unmasked face sent social media into a frenzy, admitting the moment left him shaken. “My world turned upside down,” he said, describing the shock of waking up to see his face circulating everywhere online.

The clip, filmed at actor Kriti Sanon's sister Nupur Sanon and Stebin Ben’s wedding, quickly went viral and dismantled the carefully guarded anonymity Talwiinder has maintained throughout his career. Known for performing in a mask and keeping his identity private, the singer said the experience felt like something deeply personal had been taken from him without consent.

How did Talwiinder react to the video going viral?

Talwiinder said he was not in the right frame of mind when he first saw the footage. “I woke up to the video, I saw my face everywhere,” he shared, explaining that the speed at which the clip spread made the experience even more overwhelming.

Messages began flooding in almost instantly, alerting him to memes, reels and reaction videos being made around his face reveal. “You’re seeing people making content on it,” he said, noting how quickly the moment turned into online currency.

Why does Talwiinder keep his face hidden?

For Talwiinder, the mask was never a gimmick -- it was a boundary. He has long believed that music should be experienced emotionally, not visually. “I’m made for the ears, not the eyes,” he explained, adding that visuals can often distract listeners from the message and feeling behind a song.

The singer has also spoken about wanting to escape societal judgement around appearance, allowing his work to stand on its own without personal scrutiny.

How is he dealing with the attention now?

While clearly hurt by how the video was leaked and allegedly sold, Talwiinder has adopted a philosophical tone about the aftermath. He criticised those who monetised the clip for “Rs 5,000 or Rs 50,000”, saying it crushed a dream, but also acknowledged the realities of digital culture. “Sab ko apna ghar chalana hai (Everybody has to run their home),” he said, suggesting he understands why people chase views.

Despite media coverage that he admits “hasn’t been kind”, Talwiinder says he’s choosing to focus on the love rather than the hate. “There’s so much love, I don’t even focus on the hate,” he said, confident his audience connects with his music beyond the noise.

Amid the controversy, the singer has also found himself in headlines for being seen with actor Disha Patani at Lollapalooza 2026. Addressing the speculation, Talwiinder clarified that they are simply getting to know each other -- and prefer to keep it that way, without narratives being written for them.