Lucknow: A video that surfaced during the 40th birthday celebrations of Bhojpuri cinema’s power star Pawan Singh has triggered speculation and online controversy, with social media users questioning whether the actor has entered into a third marriage. The video shows a woman wearing sindoor and red bangles standing close to Pawan Singh during a cake-cutting ceremony, prompting widespread assumptions and rumours.
The woman seen in the video has been identified as Bhojpuri actress Mahima Singh, who is currently working with Pawan Singh in an upcoming Bhojpuri film. Mahima Singh, a native of Banda district in Uttar Pradesh, recently featured in the song “Bani Laika,” which was released on October 4. According to sources close to the actor, the viral video has been misinterpreted and the claims circulating online are baseless.
An eyewitness and close associate of Pawan Singh, speaking on condition of anonymity, shared a detailed account of the events from the evening of January 4 to late night, when the controversial video was recorded. The associate said he travelled from Bihar to Lucknow on the morning of January 4 to attend the birthday celebrations. After reaching Lucknow in the evening, he contacted Pawan Singh, who was busy with a film shoot and shared his location.
The associate reached Jalsa Resort around 4 pm, where the shoot was underway. Pawan Singh wrapped up the shoot around 9 pm and later met his close aides at his booked room in the resort. During the interaction, it was decided that the birthday would be celebrated at midnight. The actor reportedly mentioned that he had attended a programme in Gonda earlier in the day and returned to Lucknow before heading straight to the shoot.
As preparations for the celebration progressed, members of the film unit, including co-actors, the director and the producer, gathered at the shooting location. Around 11 pm, arrangements for the cake-cutting were completed, and Pawan Singh was woken up and brought to the set just before midnight.
Responding to allegations that Pawan Singh appeared unsteady due to alcohol consumption, the associate clarified that the actor had not consumed alcohol. “He had just woken up from sleep. It was cold and past midnight, which is why he appeared slightly drowsy,” the source said.
According to the eyewitness, as Pawan Singh began cutting the cake, actress Mahima Singh arrived at the set wearing a black T-shirt. She was still in her character look from the shoot, with sindoor and red bangles, and had only changed her costume. Due to the crowd on the set, Pawan Singh asked her to stand closer during the cake-cutting.
Addressing the moment in the video where Pawan Singh is seen eating cake from the actress’s finger, the associate dismissed the controversy. He said there was nothing inappropriate about the gesture and added that if there had been anything objectionable, the actress would have objected. “This was neither part of a shoot nor indicative of any personal relationship. All of it happened openly in front of cameras and several people. Claims about a third marriage or an affair are completely unfounded,” the source said.
The celebrations continued after midnight with the arrival of the team of the reality show “Rise and Falls,” including comedian Kiku Sharda. Due to the large crowd, it reportedly took nearly an hour for the team to meet Pawan Singh. A second round of cake-cutting followed, attended by the reality show team and noted Bhojpuri music director Priyanshu Singh. The celebrations, including dancing and music, continued until around 3 am, after which Pawan Singh returned to his Lucknow flat.
On January 5, after a day of rest due to exhaustion, another birthday celebration was held at a private hotel, where Pawan Singh cut a cake in the presence of his mother, elder brothers, uncles and other family members. Former MP Dhananjay Singh also made an unannounced visit later that evening to personally wish the actor on his birthday.
Those close to Pawan Singh have urged fans and social media users not to jump to conclusions based on short video clips, stating that the controversy has arisen from a misunderstanding of events during a professional and public celebration.
