Humane Sagar was emotionally exploited, large conspiracy behind his death: Music director Prem Anand

The controversy surrounding the death of popular Odia playback singer Humane Sagar has taken a deeper turn, with senior music director Prem Anand alleging that the 36-year-old artist was emotionally exploited, made to perform while ill, and manipulated through personal vulnerabilities for months, leading to his demise.

In a detailed interaction with OTV, Anand said Humane was ‘very simple and often got emotionally trapped,’ suggesting that those around him took undue advantage of his fragile nature.

Anand revealed that Humane repeatedly expressed a strong desire to meet his young daughter but was not always allowed to do so. 

"Who was stopping him from seeing his own child?" he questioned, adding that the denial of personal connection may have severely impacted the singer’s mental state.

The composer added that he had personally witnessed Humane’s physical distress, saying, “His health issues gave me pain to watch.” His comments suggest that both emotional manipulation and work pressure may have contributed to Humane’s deteriorating health.

“I will not blame anyone, but once I had a long conversation with Humane, during which he cried and confided in me. He told me of several things that were affecting his life. I had asked him to step away from music and quit shows until his health improved. We were supposed to hold a press conference after the Bali Yatra and Nuapada elections, but God had other plans,” said Prem Anand.

Heated Confrontation With Grieving Mother

The explosive remarks coincide with the circulation of a viral video showing a heated argument between Humane’s manager, Dinesh alias Papu, and the singer’s mother, Shefali Suna, after the performer’s death.

In the clip, Papu accuses Shefali of “creating drama before the media,” while she is seen struggling to speak amid grief. The confrontation escalates when Papu claims he has unlocked Humane’s mobile phone, raising questions about why the phone was accessed and what information it may contain.

Singer Was Forced to Perform Despite Illness

The claims by Anand also add weight to earlier allegations by Humane’s mother, who has claimed that event organisers and two managers repeatedly forced him to perform even when his son was visibly unwell.

Supporting her claims, viral videos have emerged showing Humane performing while coughing, sweating and appearing fatigued. Family sources also say that a programme had been scheduled even on the day he was admitted to the hospital and that once he was taken for treatment, managers allegedly distanced themselves and stopped taking responsibility.

ALSO READ: Humane Sagar Death: Community outrage peaks as demand grows for arrest of 2 managers

Investigation Continues Amid Scrutiny

Police have not yet issued an official statement regarding the contents of the phone unlocked by manager Papu, nor have they commented on whether it will be included as evidence in the investigation.

Officers are yet to address the allegations of excessive work pressure and emotional interference, which now form a central part of public scrutiny after the music director’s remarks.

In his statements, Prem Anand asked for support for the late singer’s family and stated that people should allow the police to do their job.