Sonu Nigam is a famous Indian playback singer and music director. His style is considered similar to legendary singer Mohammed Rafi, which is why he is often referred to as the “Modern Rafi.”
Wiki/Biography
Sonu Nigam As a Child
Sonu Nigam was born on 30 July 1973 (age 50 years; in 2023) in Faridabad City, Haryana, India. His zodiac sign is Leo. He attended JDTyler School in Delhi and graduated from Delhi University. He started singing at the age of 3, where he would accompany his father to weddings and parties. He later moved to Mumbai, where he trained under legendary Indian classical singer Ustad Ghulam Mustafa Khan.
Physical appearance
Height (approx): 5′ 7″
Eye Color: Dark Brown
Hair Color: Black
Family, Caste & Wife
His father’s name is Agam Kumar Nigam who hails from Agra and is also a Bollywood singer. His mother’s name is Shobha Nigam who hails from Garhwal. He has two younger sisters named Teesha Nigam (Neekita Nigam) and Meenal Nigam.
Sonu Nigam With His Sisters
Teesha is also a professional singer. He married Madhurima Nigam on 15 February 2002, and they both have a son named Nevaan.
Sonu Nigam With His Wife Madhurima And Son Nevaan
Career
His first song as a playback singer was for the film Janam (1990), which was never officially released. He started doing radio commercials and started acting in them. His first song released was “O Aasman Wale” from the film Aaja Meri Jaan (1993).
He released his first album “Rafi Ki Yaadein” in 1992. His first hit song was “Accha Sila Diya” from the movie Bewafa Sanam (1995). He debuted as a music director in “Singh Saab The Great” in 2013. Apart from this, he has also tried his hand at acting. His debut as an actor was at the age of 10 when he played the role of young Sunny Deol in the film Betaab (1983). His debut film as a lead actor was with the film “Love In Nepal” in 2004.
Controversy
- Sonu Nigam sparked controversy in 2017 after he tweeted about being disturbed by “Azaan” playing in the loudspeaker and disturbing his sleep. He also called it ‘forced religion.’ His tweet hurt the religious sentiments of the Muslim community. A fatwa has been issued by a scholar that whoever shaves Sonu’s head and puts a garland of shoes on his neck will be rewarded with ₹ 10 lakhs. He responded by shaving his head asking for money from the scholars.
- Spiritual Guru Radhe Maa was accused in several cases along with the clothes she wore. Sonu Nigam supported him by saying “Just my 2 pence. Kaali Maa is depicted in lower attire than Radhe Maa. It’s interesting that this country wants to sue a woman for her clothes.” The comment drew criticism across the country, and an FIR was filed against Sonu for hurting the religious sentiments of the people.
- He announced his retirement from the music industry after ongoing issues with the top music label. He also expressed his displeasure with some contract issues. The company and Sonu Nigam later reconciled two years after the incident.
- It was the release time of the movie Ae Dil Hai Mushkil (2016) where Anushka Sharma spoke the dialogue “Mohammed Rafi? Woh gaate kam rote zyada the na?” there was a reaction from Rafi’s fans. Sonu Nigam is among those who also slammed filmmaker Karan Johar. Karan Johar responded with the same sarcastic tone leading to a rift between the two.
Karan Johar’s Tweet On Sonu Nigam
- In the Aaj Tak Agenda Summit, Sonu said “Wish I Were from Pakistan” which caused outrage among Indians. Sonu then responded by saying that media people try to make catchy headlines while they miss the real content. He added that Indian singers have to pay 40-50% of their concert remuneration to music companies, while in another country, Pakistan, they work with artists but do not ask for the same.
- After the death of Sushant Singh Rajput on 14 June 2020, Sonu Nigam released a video on Instagram on 18 June 2020 where he talked about the kind of pressure new artists face in the industry. He also claimed in the video that there are only two music companies in India, which control the entire music industry.
On 22 June 2020, she posted another video on Instagram where she accused Bhushan Kumar of sabotaging her image in the industry. Sonu also warns Bhushan Kumar that he has messed with the wrong people.
In response, Bhushan Kumar’s wife Divya Khosla Kumar posted a video on Instagram on 24 June 2020 in which she refuted all the allegations made by Sonu Nigam against Bhushan Kumar. He also called Sonu Nigam ungrateful.
Award
- Haryana Gaurav Samman by Haryana Government in 2017
Sonu Nigam Receives Gaurav Samman
- National Film Award for Best Male Playback Singer for the song Kal Ho Na Ho in 2003
Filmfare Awards
- Best Male Playback Award for the song Kal Ho Naa Ho in the movie “Kal Ho Naa Ho” in 2003
- Best Male Playback Award for the song Saathiya in the movie “Saathiya” in 2002
Padma Shri (Arts) 2022
Favourite
- Food: Paneer Makhanwala, Paneer Kofta, Gulab Jamun, Butter Chicken, Tandoori Chicken
- Movies: Amar Prem, Kunwara Baap, Half Ticket, Sholay, The Sixth Sense
- Musicians: Mohammed Rafi, Lata Mangeshkar, Hussain Baksh, Micheal Jackson, Whitney Houston, George Michael, Michael Bolton, Cliff Richard, Mariah Carey
- Song: Duniya Rang Rangilee Baba by KL Saigal
- Book: Don’t Trouble the Small Things and It’s All Small: Simple Ways to Keep the Small Things from Taking Over Your Life by Richard Carlson
- Travel Destinations: Greece, Egypt, New Zealand
Net worth
His net worth is approximately $8 million (approximately ₹55.5 crores). He earns ₹ 6-7 lakh per song.
Assets/Property
The singer owns two commercial offices in Andheri suburb of Mumbai; the total area of the property is 5,547 square feet. Reportedly, he bought the property in March 2023 for Rs 11.37 crore.
Facts
- His first stage performance was “Kya Huaa Tera Vaada” by Mohammed Rafi when he was just 3 years old.
- During her teenage years, she used to perform at various events, where she would sing many hit songs. In one such performance, he sang the title song of the popular Indian epic television show Mahabharata.
- He is trained in Taekwondo.
- He has a fear of cockroaches.
- He is also known as the Elvis Presley of India.
- He likes to imitate fellow singers and actors.
- Sonu had a hairstyle like the late APJ Abdul Kalam, while receiving the National Award from him.
Sonu Nigam Receives Tribute From APJ Abdul Kalam
- He has done Hindi dubbing for Hollywood films like Aladdin and Rio.
- He has sung in various languages including Hindi, English, Bengali, Manipuri, Gujarati, Tamil, Telugu, Marathi, Tulu, Assamese, Odia, Nepali, Maithili, Malayalam, and Kannada.
- She has judged singing reality shows like Sa Re Ga Ma Pa, Kisme Kitna Hai Dum, and Indian Idol.
- He disguised himself as a beggar and performed acts called “Ustaad Tepi Jalan” on the streets of Juhu.
- He had a skin allergy from eating seafood.
- He has three dogs namely, Goggles Nigam, Shifu Nigam, and Zen Nigam.
Sonu Nigam With His Two Dogs Goggles Nigam And Shifu Nigam
- He once did an unplanned performance in flight. Jet Airways suspended all cabin crew of the flight to enforce corrective measures and disciplinary action.
- In February 2023, the MLA’s son and his goons allegedly tricked Sonu Nigam and his assistant at a music event in Mumbai for taking selfies. Reportedly, they threw one of Sonu Nigam’s assistants off the stage after his assistant suffered minor injuries. Later, Sonu Nigam filed a case against the accused identified as Swapnil Phaterpekar, son of MLA Prakash Phaterpekar, for wrongful restraint and voluntarily causing hurt. While talking to reporters about the incident, Sonu Nigam said,
I fell on the stairs after being pushed. Rabbani (Khan) came to my rescue and was pushed from behind. He could die. I filed a complaint because people must think about it when they force someone to take a selfie.”
Categories: Biography
Source: SCHOOL TRANG DAI
