Bollywood actor Neil Nitin Mukesh has walked away from the music reality show The Universal Idol, citing non-payment for the work he completed. The actor has also made serious allegations against the show’s organisers, bringing the issue of payment disputes in the entertainment industry back into focus.

Neil Nitin Mukesh, known for his intense performances and distinctive screen presence, may be less visible in films in recent years, but he continues to remain in the spotlight. This time, however, the attention comes amid controversy rather than a new project.

Allegations Against the Show’s Organisers

Neil was appointed as the brand ambassador of the singing reality show The Universal Idol last year and had been associated with the project for several months. He has now officially resigned from the position and severed all ties with the show.

In a statement shared on social media, the actor claimed that multiple payments promised to him were never cleared. According to Neil, three cheques issued by the organisers were returned unpaid. He further stated that despite repeated follow-ups by him and his team, the matter was not resolved.

In his post, Neil described the situation as a breach of trust and commitment. He added that he had given the organisers several opportunities to settle the issue amicably, but no concrete action was taken.

Complete Separation Announced

Announcing his exit, Neil stated that he has immediately ended all professional association with The Universal Idol, its event partner HMC Events, and organiser Shakeel Haasan along with his associates. He clarified that his decision was taken after careful consideration and due to the lack of response regarding his pending dues.

Neil Nitin Mukesh’s Work Front

On the professional front, Neil Nitin Mukesh was last seen in the black comedy thriller Ek Chatur Naar, written by Himanshu Tripathi and directed by Umesh Shukla, which also featured Divya Khosla Kumar. Before that, he appeared in the 2025 thriller Hisab Barabar.

The actor is next set to appear in the Malayalam film Khalifa, which is scheduled for release in 2026.