Sonu Nigam - Page 6

Sonu Nigam enthrals audience
Tribune News Service

Ambala, February 20
Noted Bollywood playback singer Sonu Nigam performed at Gandhi Maidan, Ambala Cantonment, last night.

Mr Sonu Nigam performed at Ambala as part of 'Idea Rocks India' programme. Sonu Nigam began his performance with 'Sooraj Hua Madham'. His performance was well received.

'Mera rang de basanti chola' from "Bhagat Singh," 'Aane se uske mehka hai sara sama', 'sun zara soniye sun zara' and 'Dil mangta hai dildar soniye' were some of the songs sung by him.

There was a heavy rush. All those who could not enter the venue climbed a boundary wall, road berms and trees to catch a glimpse of the singer. Sonu Nigam enthralled the audience with his singing.

Earlier, Sonu Nigam said he liked to perform in front of live audience. He explained that the worth of a singer could be gauged only by a live performance.

Shining through

He is just about over 30 and can easily be passed off as an actor, but then, he has been one. He has also been an anchor and an adjudicator.

But what the world knows and loves Sonu Nigam for is his vocal talent, which is beyond brilliant. Two minutes into a conversation with him, you sense that here's a man who knows he is good, and wears that patch on his arm very matter-of-factly.

No dabbed-on modesty for him, and that makes for a refreshing change. When he appeared on - the now defunct - Antakshari way back in the early '90s, the country took note of a young, good looking chap who could sing really well, but Sonu's journey began much earlier.

In a tte-tte, he puts his journey to this zenith - till he attains a higher one - into perspective.

The beginning of the beginning:

"When I was on Antakshari - with Abhijeet as my teammate - I suddenly became more visible. I was offered to anchor a television show that sought out singing talent, and that started me on an interesting journey. But what really got me noticed was Acha Sila Diya that was a huge hit a few years even before that."

The Me-Series?:

"When I moved to Mumbai from Delhi in 1991, I was 18 years old, and was going through quite a struggle. I was just looking for a place to start. Gulshan Kumar's company took me on, and while I wasn't bound by contract with him, I was not singing with any other company. It wasn't a conscious decision. It was the ripple effect of perception. Gulshan Kumar was not on good terms with the rest of the industry, and everyone who was with his company was perceived as an outsider. His company had been isolated from the rest."

Looking back:

"I have no regrets whatsoever. But I think if I had come into the industry even five years after I did, it would not have made a difference. If I had come in with a pop album in '96, I would have hit pay dirt much faster. In '91, I was only 18 but I got labelled as a struggler. For the longest time the only music that I was asked to croon was sad and seriously heartbreaking! It took a while for me to turn that around."

Am I good-looking?:

"I don't know about that! But I had got into the industry with the singular ambition of making myself an accomplished singer. It was an unfulfilled dream of my family. I did not allow myself to get distracted by anything else till I reached a certain acme in playback singing. But I did a little bit of anchoring. There was the talent hunt and the game show Kisme Kitna Hai Dum. In 2001, I signed on three films, none of which did too well."

Movies? Not so sonu:

"Only Love In Nepal won critical acclaim. I don't know what I was thinking when I signed on Jaani Dushman. It had 10 other people. Kaash Aap Hamare Hote was not even appreciated. But I might decide to rectify this state of affairs. I still get asked if I want to act, and for an actor who has only seen flops, I think that's a good sign."

Play on:

"I enjoy doing playback but all of those songs are like nursery rhymes for me. I keep telling music directors to challenge me. Anyway, I look at albums as a way to challenge myself. Or at any rate do something different. When I did my first album, Deewana, everyone thought it would flop. No playback singer's album had done well till then. I remain the only exception. I am working on another album now that I am looking to make just to address my need to be pushed to beyond my limit. As of now, any genre of music seems like a cakewalk."

What's cooking:

"Lots lined up for this year. There's Kabhi Alvida Na Kehna, Jaaneman, Fanaa, Umrao Jaan, Salaame Ishq and Don among others. I have cut down drastically on recordings. I only do the important ones. I am not available to everybody and I like it that way. There are also concerts, television (judging one of India's leading popstar hunts) and interviews."

I Am Past The Stage Of Copying Mohd Rafi

He's all set for a 45-day trip to America for shows. His new hairstyle makes him look very hip; he's been working out at the gym and the muscles are beginning to show. Sonu Nigam is very thrilled with his new album's release. A lot seems to be happening on the personal front too. Read on to catch up on this hot young singer's exciting plans.

What is this new look all about?
I wanted to do something different. My hairdresser, Aleem, told me that this style would make me look much better. I resisted initially, but finally agreed. So now, I am sporting this hairdo, longer, more curly hair, with a few streaks near my forehead. Honestly, I am enjoying this change. There is so much competition from all quarters. What happened to the films you had signed? Has work started on them?
No, they haven't started yet. I've signed films with Tips, Akash Arora and Raj Kumar Kohli, but they have to commence. Actually, I have had no time from my singing yet. What's your new album Yaad all about?
It is basically a romantic album, but the sound is different. I have tried very hard to make it sound new. T-Series is promoting it very well. One video Jeena hai tere liye is already on air, starring Riya Sen and me. The second song, Dekha maine sara jahan, featuring model Malini Sharma and me, will soon be aired on all the channels. All the music companies want me to sing romantic albums and that is how it always ends up. I have to agree, because they are investing a lot of money and want to play it safe. But soon, I will do something different. You have shifted to a new house...
Yes, it feels good to have your own house. I have not forgotten the days when I lived in a crammed house and washed my own clothes. When I was in Delhi, I wanted to be an astronaut. But I ended up as a singer to achieve what my father, Agam Kumar Nigam, couldn't succeed in doing. Besides, it was a paying profession, and I always wanted to be very rich. So, it feels really good today when I see my dreams getting realised. But believe me, I have worked very hard to reach where I am today. You do a lot of shows abroad…
I enjoy performing live. Besides, the money is very good. In fact, I am performing in major American cities on a one-and-a-half month tour. You are always accused of copying the legendary Mohd Rafi....
Mohammed Rafi is my God. Whenever I feel low, I remember him. I wish I could have met him when he was alive. As far as copying him is concerned, I agree that in the beginning of my career, I did emulate him, but later, I developed my own distinct style. Today, when you hear my songs, I don't sound like any other singer. Even critics say that I have my own style today. You lie low as far as your personal life is concerned...
That is the way I am. I prefer sitting at home and doing my own thing, instead of attending parties and socialising. I don't attend award functions, because I never seem to win any. So I bypass every opportunity I receive to attend these functions.

What is the buzz in your personal life?
Years ago, I was dumped by someone I loved a lot. After that, I kept drifting from one affair to another like a vagabond. But finally, I have found someone I love a lot. I plan to marry her next year. I am very serious about this girl. She is not from the film industry. It has taken me over a year to fully realise my feelings for her. I am very happy with her.

A glorious voice, boyish good looks and a charming personality make SONU NIGAM a heartthrob for millions of Indians. This talented 32-year old singer has established himself not only as a playback singer but also as an Indipop artist. Next on the cards is a semi-classical album.

Sonu, who gave his first stage performance at the age of three, when along with his father Agam Kumar Nigam, he sang the famous Mohammed Rafi song, Kya Hua Tera Vaada at a function in the town of Jind, got his big Bollywood break with Achha Sila Diya Tune from the film Bewafa Sanam. It was the late Gulshan Kumar who spotted him and gave him his big break.

Thereafter, there was no denying him his due. Soon came another blockbuster song from Border Sandese Aate Ham for which he got the Zee Cine award. With his typically sensuous rendering of Satrangi Re in Dil Se, Sonu Nigam confirmed that he had truly arrived, and was here to stay.

"It was difficult in my days. One had to struggle a lot and face a lot of humiliation, Talent shows are making life easier for budding young artists since they are able to create a place for themselves in the heart of audiences through the medium of television and hence bypass the insecurities," says Sonu who is a judge for Indian Idol 2 and started his TV career as the host for P/S Sa Re Ga Ma.

Sonu who has released more than 10,000 film songs in various Indian languages, predominantly in Hindi, over a span of 13 years, is presently celebrating the success of his latest album Chanda Ki Doli which has been his baby right from the conceptualisation stage.

"Cutting your own album definitely gives you a major high since you are totally responsible for its success or failure," says the singer who idolises Mohammed Rafi and Lata Mangeshkar as singers and Mahatma Gandhi as a human being. Having achieved so much, what does he aspire to do? "I wish to do something for children. Probably open a school where education makes an impact but is still fun," says Sonu who states that he bonds very well with children and if not a school then would start an orphanage. He is also open to the idea of an old-age home since "As people grow older they become like children. "

he idol of many singers is about to expand his musical horizons

Subhash K Jha

You've become a youth icon among singing aspirants.

I had not noticed this development until two to three years ago when Shaan told me that many of the songs that the contestants sang on Sa Re Ga Ma Pa were mine. Now, when I'm a judge on Indian Idol I do realise that the contestants tend sing my difficult songs like 'Tera jadoo chal gaya', 'Zindagi maut na ban jaye' and 'Satrangi re'. I've now begun to realise that good work always reaches people's hearts. So I just do my work. As a singer I'm far from perfect and maybe I'll never get there, but there is no harm in trying. I am 32 and hope to do a lot as a human and a singer in the years to come.

Are you being challenged enough as a singer?

I don't think the film industry is able to provide sufficient opportunities for me, so I have to create my own challenges. This year I have some great songs in Karan Johar's Kabhi Alvidaa Na Kehna, Shirish Kunder's Jaan-e-Man, Kunal Kohli's Fanaah, Nikhil Advani's Salaam-e-Ishq, Rakesh Roshan's Krisshh, J.P. Dutta's Umrao Jaan and Farhan Akhtar's Don. But the challenge I experience when I sing a classical song where I've to work on a particular harkat or an alaap is missing. Films don't provide me songs like that. All tracks today are deejay-designed and private albums are dead. The furthest I could go with a non-film pop album was Chanda Ki Doli where I showed some of my classical creativity . I've therefore decided to come out with a semi-classical album. I might as well do something I believe in and something I'd be proud of forty years from now.

Have you sung 'Khai ke paan Baneraswala' in the Don remake?

I wish I had. As a child I used to dance to that song on stage. By the time I asked Shankar-Ehsan-Loy whether I could do it, they had already asked Udit Narayan to sing it. With his North Indian background he's the right person to do it.

What do you feel about Himesh Reshammiya's sudden success as a singer?

It's easy to criticise someone's singing for being nasal. Who sets the rules for how a song should be sung? Times are changing and different voice types are entering the industry and being accepted. With Himesh, at least a distinctive voice from within the country has found acceptance. Otherwise we've lately had strange voices from outside India, no matter how besura (out of tune), becoming successful.

What did you think of all the singers who have come from Pakistan?

A few are good. But most of them are strictly okay. In a country that has been blessed with a Lata Mangeshkar and Mohd Rafi who wants these voices?

Are you happy with the state of film music in this country?

Although I had raga-based songs in Parineeta and Paheli, the songs didn't get any recognition. I don't have a problem with Himesh getting all the awards, but it's an insult to nominate Paheli and Aashiq Banaya Aapne in the same genre for popular awards. Our songs were from two different genres in Aashiq…. and Paheli. The genres have to be separated or our singers will stop doing riyaaz. They'll wonder why they need to work on their voices when they can get awards for relatively simple songs.

Mahesh Bhatt started the trend of introducing Pakistani music to Bollywood.

Everyone has the right to do their own thing. But if this trend continues, we as artistes need to tighten our seat belts. The music from Pakistan has a different flavour and colour to it.

What are your future plans for playback singing?

I'm doing too many things at the same time. I love the feeling of being in demand. I'm not passionate about anything except music. I'm blessed to have so much work. But I miss the glory attached to playback singing. I wish we had one good music company that could respect a good artiste.

How're your relations with your old company T Series?

We continue to maintain a cordial relation. But it isn't the same as before when Gulshan Kumarji was around. If I had contributed the same to any other music company there would have been lot more appreciation. I'm looking at a credible company for my classical album. I'm doing this for my own happiness.

Are you happy?

I've learnt to look for happiness within myself. People around me have changed. I've converted them into positive people. I don't allow anyone negative in my space. I'm surrounded by people who have love in their eyes.

Would you call yourself happily married?

Well, I am married and one can be happily married. Marriage is a very small part of life. And I'm saying this in the presence of my wife. There's a lot more to life.

Sonu Nigam explains why


Sonu Nigam and his co-judges Anu Malik and Farah Khan staged a walk-out from Indian Idol on Tuesday after talented contestant Ameya Date was eliminated.

Sonu explains, "As a judge on Indian Idol I realise that I can't afford to be particularly fond of any contestant. But yes, I do feel Ameya has a great future. He got eliminated because he didn't sing well enough on Tuesday. However, having said that, I must say I don't regret walking out after Ameya's elimination. We had to ring a warning bell in the audience's mind. We don't know what stand to take now. We're confused. The channel (Sony TV) say that we have to go by audience poll since that's the format for Idol all over the world."

"Our walk-out had nothing to do with Anuj. For, it isn't Anuj's fault if he got more votes than Ameya," he adds. "I apologised to Anuj. I know our walk-out can't bring Ameya back. But they cannot disqualify good talent like this. In fact, rowdies at the recording got very aggressive and said, 'This is Sony channel, not Sonu's channel'. It's foolish to choose talent based on region and caste."

Sonu admits that he supports talent like Ameya because he never got similar support during his struggling days.

Meanwhile Ameya Date sees his ouster from Indian Idol as a challenge. "As far as Indian Idol is concerned I've come as far as destiny had to bring me. That Sonu Nigam, Anu Malik and Farah Khan actually protested on my behalf moved me deeply," he says. "I want to apologise to them for not having lived up to their expectations. At the same time I feel happy to have got as far as I have. I feel I've received more love and attention from people than I could ever dream of. It's just my bad luck that I got eliminated. Every day can't be the same. And maybe on Tuesday my performance wasn't up to the mark. I was eliminated as per the rules and regulations of Indian Idol. So I've no reason to complain." Ameya hasn't yet decided on a course of action. "I'll do something in the field of music, of course," he says. "I want to do playback singing for films. After I was eliminated on Tuesday Anu Malik promised he would look out for me. I'm happy that I reached the Top 4 in Indian Idol. I feel I've gained from this in ways that this immediate defeat of elimination can't take away from me. I may not be the Indian Idol, but I'm the people's favourite."

My hats off to you !!!!!!!!! Simply wonderful

Thank u 😛 U r really coooool too....Yeah I will try to keep this thread going too.....

Originally posted by: sonu_nigamfan

Thank u 😛 U r really cool too....Yeah I will try to keep this thread going too.....

Thank you also It will be one of the best II2 will have.👏

You Can Call Me A Superstar

No he's not rude or aggressive, simply inaccessible. Singer-anchorman Sonu Nigam is either shooting abroad or doing shows for the better part of the year. He stays in Mumbai about two days in a month. "You can contact me on my mobile through my brother-in-law like my parents do," he says. For someone who began as a starry-eyed wannabe at the age of three, the flight to Bollywood superstardom is showing. Sonu's first break was in Gulshan Kumar's '91 home production Aja Meri Jaan, where he sang O Asman Wale but it was Achcha Sila Diya (Bewafa Sanam), which was a chart-topper for months. Then came Ye Dil Deewana in Pardes, Deewana — a solo album and Zee TV's Sa Re Ga Man. He's in Mumbai for a day enroute to the US to shoot a video for his album Mausam. Not for him the lowly business of promoting his albums: "If it's good it will sell, irrespective of whether or not I speak about it to the media. Deewana is such a success and so is Mausam."

You tell him that Indipop isn't setting the music market afire and that even his latest album qualifies as a best-seller. "I don't agree. Some albums haven't done well but Mausam is doing fine. Bijuriya is such a hit at all discos and music countdowns. For a struggler who thought singing cover versions for T-Series was a major achievement, Sonu now juggles his dual personae with reasonable success. Currently he's anchoring Zee TV's Sa Re Ga Ma where he slips into designer garb with perfect aplomb, pays suitable respect to senior musicians who judge the show and is stealing the thunder from Anu (Anta-kshari) Kapoor. How does he explain the open imitation of Michael Jackson in his Bijuria video? "Most Indian singers seek inspiration from the west and not all of them are honest about it. I admire Michael Jackson and yes, the music video of Bijuria is somewhat inspired. But I am not going to say sorry for that," he puts in. Sonu has recently finished recording for Chalo ishq La ayen and confesses his main inspiration remains his parenst. He does an hour-long riyaaz everyday no matter where he is and thinks his Satrangi Re(Dil Se), Sandese Ate Hain (Border) and Ye Dil Deewana(Pardes) are his "best numbers to date".