Sonu Nigam Responds to Bengaluru FIR, Urges on Karnataka's 'Sensible People to Decide' Who's at Fault

Bollywood’s melodious voice Sonu Nigam has found himself in the centre of a controversy following his recent remarks made during a live concert in Bengaluru. After facing backlash and even an FIR filed against him by the Bengaluru police, Sonu decided to pen an open letter to clarify his intentions and emotions. His message, shared on social media, reflects disappointment, love, and hurt in equal measure.

In the letter, Sonu expressed deep respect and love for Karnataka and its people. “I have given unprecedented love to the language, the culture, the music, the musicians, the state, and the people not just when I am in Karnataka but anywhere else in the world,” he wrote. The singer shared how he’s always had a special place for Kannada music in his heart. “In fact, I have revered my Kannada songs way more than my songs in other languages including Hindi. There are 100s of videos circulating on social media as a testimony. I have more than an hour of Kannada songs that I prepare for every concert when in Karnataka.”

The controversy began when a man from the audience at East Point College of Engineering and Technology aggressively demanded he sing in Kannada. “Their own people were embarrassed and were asking them to shut up. I told them very politely and lovingly the show has just started, it’s my first song, and that I will not let them down, but they have to let me continue with the concert the way I have planned,” Sonu wrote. He further added, “But they were hell-bent on creating a ruckus and threatening me wildly. Tell me who is at fault?”

Sonu also addressed the "Pahalgam" remark that caused the uproar. "Mujhe accha nahi laga ki waha ek ladka jiski umar... jitni uske umar nahi hogi, use pehle toh main Kannada gaane ga raha hoon. He was so rudely threatening me... ‘Kannada, Kannada’. Yahi kaaran hai, Pahalgam mein jo hua hai na?”

Despite the anger surrounding the issue, Sonu left the final judgment to the people of Karnataka. “I leave it up to the sensible people of Karnataka to decide who is at fault here. I will accept your verdict gracefully.”