Udit Narayan reacts to kissing video controversy: 'I am not the least embarrassed or apologetic about it' - Exclusive

Veteran singer Udit Narayan has responded to the controversy surrounding a viral video in which he was seen kissing a female fan on the lips.
The clip which went viral early Saturday morning, has raised eyebrows and garnered backlash from fans and netizens alike. Addressing the controversy that the video has kicked up, Narayan in an interview with ETimes, dismissed the criticism, insisting that the video was a "manifestation of the love between my fans and I."

The Padma Shri and Padma Bhushan awardee questioned why he would engage in any behaviour that could tarnish his legacy. While asserting that his bond with fans remains “deep, pure, and unbreakable", he also suggested that the timing of the video’s resurfacing months later was rather suspicious and hinted at an attempt to tarnish his reputation. Excerpts:
Uditji, what is this controversy about you kissing your fans on stage?
Sir, you have known me for more than thirty years. That’s why I am offering you an explanation. Have I done anything to bring shame to myself, my family or my country?
No, you haven’t?
Then why would I do something now at this stage of my life when I have achieved it all? People all over the world throng to my concerts. Tickets are pre-sold months in advance. There is a deep pure and unbreakable bond between my fans and me. What you saw in the so-called scandalous video was a manifestation of the love between my fans and I. They love me and I love them back even more.
So you are not embarrassed or ashamed?
No, not at all! Why should I be? Do you hear any regret or sorrow in my voice? In fact, I am laughing as I talk to you. It is not something sleazy or secret. It is there in the public domain. My heart is pure. If some people want to see something dirty in an act of pure affection, then I feel sorry for them. I also want to thank them.
Thank them, why?
Because now they’ve made me even more famous than I already was. On a more serious note, I am the recipient of several Filmfare awards, National awards, Padma Sri and Padma Bhushan. I aspire to get the Bharat Ratna, like Lataji. She is my idol. Do you know I was her favourite co-singer among the singers of my generation? I have sung the maximum duets with her from my generation of singers. When I have Mata Saraswati’s blessings, what do I care about people who cannot bear to see others successful?
Do you smell a conspiracy to malign your reputation?
There is something definitely suspicious about this. Why did the video suddenly appear, and that too from a concert from some months ago in the US or Canada. I want to tell the mischief mongers: the harder you try to pull me down, the higher I will go.