Sonu Nigam (born 30 July 1973) is an Indianplayback singer,music director, dubbing artist andactor.[6] He is considered as one of the most versatile and most popular singer of India with a very wide vocal range.[7][8][9][10][11][12] His songs vary from romantic to break-up, classical to devotional, Party to patriotic, ghazals to qawwali and rock to pop.[13][14][2] Nigam is considered as one of the greatest and most successful singers of all time in the history ofIndian music industry.[15][16][17][18][19][20][21]
Nigam and his wife Madhurima atRakesh Roshan's birthday in 2017
Sonu Nigam was born on 30 July 1973 to Agam Kumar Nigam and Shobha Nigam in the city ofFaridabad,Haryana.[28][29] His father was fromAgra and his mother was fromGarhwal.[30] He has two sisters – Meenal Nigam, a yoga therapist,[31] andTeesha Nigam, a professional singer.[32]
Nigam began singing at the age of four, when he joined his father Agam Kumar Nigam on stage to singMohammed Rafi's song "Kya Hua Tera Wada".[33][34] Nigam began accompanying his father on his singing appearances at weddings and parties. He moved toMumbai with his father to begin hisBollywood singing career at the age of 19.[27] He was trained by Hindustani classical singerUstad Ghulam Mustafa Khan.[35]
Nigam identifies asHindu.[36] He married Madhurima Mishra on 15 February 2002.[37] They have a son.[38]
Nigam had changed his name toSonu Niigaam citing numerology beliefs, but later decided to go back to his birth name.[39]
Nigam started his career in early 1990s but was unable to make it to mainstream playback and was majorly overshadowed byUdit Narayan andKumar Sanu in Bollywood music. His first song was for the movieJanam (1990), but the movie was never released. Nigam began his career with the song Hum To Chhaila Ban Gaye from DD1's TV serialTalash (1992). Sonu Nigam first film song "O Aasmanwale" was from the movieAaja Meri Jaan (1993). He released his first album,Rafi Ki Yaaden, in 1992.[citation needed]
He began hosting the TV show,Sa Re Ga Ma Pa in 1995. His song "Accha Sila Diya" for the filmBewafa Sanam, gave him greater success.[27] In 1997, he sang the patriotic song "Sandese Aate Hai" from the movieBorder and performed theNadeem-Shravan-composed song "Yeh Dil Deewana" inPardes in the same year, both of which were highly successful. Some of his notable songs during this period were "Zindagi Maut Na Ban Jaye" fromSarfarosh (1999), "Satrangi Re" fromDil Se (1998), "Ishq Bina" fromTaal (1999), "Mujhe Raat Din" fromSangharsh (1999), "Ruki Ruki" fromMast (1999), and his debut in Tamil "Vaarayo Thozhi" fromJeans (1998). Sonu's albumDeewana (1999), composed bySajid–Wajid, was released by T-Series in 1999 became very popular among masses.
He was also the leading playback singer in3 Idiots, rendering the songs "Jaane Nahin Denge Tujhe", "Zoobi Doobi" and "Aal Izz Well". In the filmKurbaan, he sang the song "Shukran Allah" along with Salim Merchant of the composer duoSalim-Sulaiman andShreya Ghoshal, which was appreciated. Nigam has released albums ofMohammed Rafi's songs includingRafi Ki Yaadein, a collection early in his career, which was re-released in Rafi's memory in September 2007 as a six-disc collection of 100 songs, titledKal Aaj Aur Kal.[40] In 2008, soon after releasingClassically Mild, he released a single Punjabi track entitled "Punjabi Please"[41] andRafi Resurrected, a two-disc collection of Rafi songs with music by theBirmingham Symphony Orchestra. He contributed to the lyrics of several songs and directed the music for his albumChanda Ki Doli. After the death ofMichael Jackson, Nigam released a song as a tribute to Jackson which was included on the tribute albumThe Beat of Our Hearts.[42][43]In May–June 2007, he participated in The Incredibles tour withAsha Bhosle,Kunal Ganjawala, andKailash Kher. From September–October of the same year, he gave solo concerts titled Simply Sonu inCanada andGermany, becoming the first Indian singer to do so.[44] In April 2008, he toured India promoting his Punjabi single "Punjabi Please".[45]
In November 2007, at the inauguration ofHarvard University's 28th president,Drew Gilpin Faust, Nigam sangMahatma Gandhi's favouritebhajan, "Vaishnav Jan To Tene Kahiye", with the Harvard College Sangeet.[46] In July 2008, he participated in a three-city tour of the United Kingdom, singing Rafi songs with the City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra (CBSO). This followed the release of these songs by the CBSO and the Indian music companySa Re Ga Ma Pa onRafi Resurrected.[47] He participated in a US tour withSunidhi Chauhan in 2009 called The Explosion 2009 tour and in a UK tour titledAll Izz Well in November 2010. In 2011, Nigam collaborated with Kakas Entertainment andLaxmikant–Pyarelal for a Maestros Concert performingMohammed Rafi songs.[48]
2010–present: Post career peak, multiple concerts and several English Collaborations
In 2010, Sonu sang the popular song "Chori Kiya Re Jiya" fromDabangg as well asTees Maar Khan title track which he sang in 54 voices.[49] Sonu also sang "Aye Janani" song forKandahar in which he hit the highest note in human vocal registry with an open-throat effort without singing falsetto.[50]
Between 2012 and 2015 many of Sonu's songs were redubbed in other singer's voices by music companies because of his fight for singers' royalties and opposition to sign illegal contracts with companies. Sonu said "I am not scared of being out of work because eventually good sense will prevail".[56] In 2012, Sonu's songAbhi Mujh Mein Kahinfrom Agneepath became a huge success. For this song Sonu won many awards including5th Mirchi Music Awards for Male Vocalist of The Year,BIG Star Entertainment Awards 2012, 18th Lions Gold Awards,2013 Zee Cine Awards, 19th Lions Gold Award, 2013Times of India Film Awards and many more. He was also nominated for Best Male Playback Singer at Filmfare Awards. He considersAbhi Mujh Mein Kahin as one of his best songs.
Nigam composed the title track of the filmSingh Saab The Great in 2013 and has also composed music for other films including:Sooper Se Ooper andJal, in collaboration with percussionistBickram Ghosh in the same year. He was ranked the Number 1 artist on the US Billboard Uncharted charts twice in September and October 2013.[57][58] He sang two songs for the moviePK, "Bhagwan Hai Kahan Re Tu" and "Love is a Waste of Time", which was a duet withShreya Ghoshal. In 2014, Sonu also released a single called "Trini Ladki" in fusion with Chutney Music.
In 2015, "Sapna Jahan" fromBrothers became popular. This was Sonu's 3rd collaboration withAjay–Atul. "Tere Bin" fromWazir, which he sung withShreya Ghoshal was also appreciated. In September 2015, Nigam recorded a song with the music directorKhayyam for the project titledGulam Bandhu.[59] Sonu also collaborated with musicians across the globe for Imagine (UNICEF: World Version) composed byJohn Lennon. In 2016, Sonu released his single "Crazy Dil" featuringRajkumar Hirani,Farah Khan,Sunil Grover,Kailash Kher, Natalie Di Luccio, Sonu himself with his son Nevaan. He then released another single "First Date" sung by Sonu &Jonita Gandhi. He also collaborated with Transgender band "6 Pack Band" for song 'Sab Rab De Bande'. In Bollywood music, he sng 'Tu Hi Na Jaane' fromAzhar and "Dard" fromSarabjit. Tu Hi Na Jaane' was Sonu's first collaboration with music composerAmaal Mallik. In 2017, Sonu made an international collaboration, this time with Indian-American DJkshmr on song 'Underwater'.[60] His independent song withShreya Ghoshal called 'Aye Jahaan Aasmaan' bagged him9th Mirchi Music Awards for Indie Pop Song of the Year. The song was composed byAbhishek Ray. CricketerSachin Tendulkar collaborated with Sonu for his debut single "Sachin's Cricket Wali Beat".[61]
'Hans Mat Pagli' and "Gori Tu Latth Maar" fromToilet: Ek Prem Katha were well-received as was "Maana Ke Hum Yaar Nahin" fromMeri Pyaari Bindu. Sonu also sang one song inShah Rukh Khan starrerRaees named "Halka Halka" but the song was not included in film because of creative reasons. Later the song was released on YouTube.[62] Sonu composed one song in movieHalf Widow called "Kuch Baaqi Hai" which was also sung by him. He also sang one song "Aazaadiyan" withRahat Fateh Ali Khan fromBegum Jaan composed byAnu Malik.
In 2018, Sonu collaborated with American RapperMC Yogi for song "Hall Of Fame". Sonu sang song "Aye Zindagi" composed byVishal Mishra having five other versions ofAsha Bhosle,Alka Yagnik,Suresh Wadkar,Abhijeet Bhattacharya andShaan (singer). Sonu also teamed up withMeet Bros for dance number "Totta" feat. Sonu Nigam withKainaat Arora.[63] In Bollywood, he sang a peppy number inSanju called "Main Badhiya Tu Bhi Badhiya" which became very popular. He then sang a melodious song "Kulfi" from102 Not Out in collaboration withSalim–Sulaiman. Sonu once again collaborated withAnu Malik for "Raat Kitni" and "Main Zinda Hoon" for moviePaltan. He then sang the remake of "Badan Pe Sitare" originally sung by his idol Mohammad Rafi forAnil Kapoor starrerFanney Khan. Sonu revealed that he was first hesitant to render the song because he didn't want to tamper with the original song but Kapoor requested Sonu to sing the classic as he was playing an ardent follower of Mohammad Rafi in the film, which was why he wanted Sonu to give his voice.[64] Sonu also sang songs for social causes. Song "Tik Tik Plastic" was sung with social message of 'Say No To Plastic'.[65] He also collaborated withAmruta Fadnavis for song "Mumbai River Anthem" to save Mumbai Rivers.[66]
On 14 November 2021, Sonu travelled toUnited Kingdom for his tour "Rafi Kishore aur Main" presented by Grace Entertainment. He rendered his own songs, as well as evergreen tracks that were originally sung by legendary singersKishore Kumar andMohammad Rafi. A source who was present at the show shared, "The audience were glued to their seats for the four-hour long performances. Sonu curated the show with some of the most talented and sought after musicians from across India and also included some musicians who have been a part of the original compositions."[67][68] Sonu also launched his NFT Series which features his English-language single ‘Hall of fame’ and pages from his personal diary where he has penned down key moments of his life and details of his practice and recording session along with lyrics of his popular songs. He became the first Indian singer to launch an NFT with digital media company JetSynthesys.[69][70]
In October 2025, Sonu Nigam performed at theSher-e-Kashmir International Conference Centre inSrinagar, marking the city’s first major live concert. The event aimed to promotetourism and reflect the prevailing peace and cultural revival inJammu and Kashmir.[71]
Sonu Nigam currently is also the Patron-in-Chief and Faculty Head of the Hindi Film Singing course at Artium Academy, the world's leading online music school for Indian music, where conducts regular training of the teachers and masterclass with the global learners.
Nigam has launched his own music label on 30 July 2020, his 47th birthday, named 'I Believe Music' and "Rudhrashtakam" is the first track to release under the label.[72]
His songs include "Cheluve Yeke Bande", from the filmMajnu, composed byGurukiran; "Titanic Heroine Nee Nanna Cheluve", from the filmSnehaloka; the title track from the filmMonalisa composed by Valisha Sandeep;[77] "Hamsave Hamsave" from the filmGatti Mela, composed byHamsalekha, "Kannale Kannale" from the filmAham Premasmi, composed byV. Ravichandran[78] and "Baaninda Baa Chandira", from the movieKanti, composed byGurukiran. The 2006 filmMungaru Male created a sensation and spawned several records, mainly in Karnataka.[79][80]
The songs "Mungaru Maleye" and "Anisuthide" were composed byMano Murthy and written byYogaraj Bhat andJayant Kaikini respectively. Nigam has said that he finds Kannada songs more fulfilling than the Hindi numbers.[81] In an interview withDeccan Herald he said "Kannada songs make me feel positive".[82] He went on to say: "I highly respect the musicians ofKarnataka and many of my favourite songs are in Kannada. I considerBangalore as my second birthplace. Even if someone requests me to sing a Kannada song while I'm performing in the West Indies, I will sing it for them".[73]
Sonu Nigam during a Peace Rally inMumbai on 20 November 2011
Nigam hosted the TV showKisme Kitna Hai Dum onStar Plus in 2002. He appeared as the judge onIndian Idol in seasons 1 (October 2004 – March 2005) and 2 (November 2005 – April 2006), and was a celebrity judge in seasons 3 (17 August 2007) and 4 (16 January 2009 and 6 February 2009).[citation needed]
In 2006, Nigam hostedLife Ki Dhun with Sonu Nigaam onRadiocity 91.1 FM, interviewing musicians.[87] He appeared as a celebrity judge onSTAR Voice of India in August 2007 (Season 1) and in December 2008 (Season 2), and on the grand finale of music reality showJo Jeeta Wohi Super Star on 12 July 2008. Nigam was a judge/mentor onChhote Ustaad – Do Deshon Ki Ek Awaaz (July – October 2010) withRahat Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan, and was a judge/mentor on the first season ofX Factor (India) (29 May – 2 September 2011) along withSanjay Leela Bhansali andShreya Ghoshal.[86] On 23 August 2015, he appeared on "The Anupam Kher Show" sharing his life experiences. He has been also one of the three judges of Indian Idol 2016–17.
Sonu Nigam is considered as one of the most versatile singers in the history of Indian music industry.[96][97][98]Forbes India has recognised Sonu Nigam as one of the most versatile singers in India.[99] Additionally, entertainment platformRadio Mirchi, music companySaregama, and media outletOutlook India have recognised Sonu Nigam as the most versatile Indian singer of his generation.[100][101][102] Nigam is widely regarded as the Lord of Chords in the Indian music industry.[103][104][105] Times of India said Nigam is one of the best live performers in India.[106]India TV and the London Singing Institute have included him in the list of the top 10 Indian singers of all time.[107][108] He is often compared toMohammed Rafi for similar voice texture.[109][110][111][112]Lata Mangeshkar said of him, "Among contemporary singers, I like Sonu Nigam best. He is serious about his music, has learnt classical and sings with confidence."[113]SingerArmaan Malik takes a lot of inspiration from him.[114] Singer and musicianAnkit Tiwari cites Nigam as one of his musical inspirations.[115]Shreya Ghoshal considers Sonu her favourite contemporary singer.[116]Sunidhi Chauhan says his singing is so perfect that if you listen to him live, you won't be able to tell if he's singing live or in the studio.[117]Arijit Singh said that Sonu Nigam is the ultimate versatile singer, whose versatility is impossible for anyone to match, and no singer today can sing as flawlessly as he does.[118][119]Palash Sen ofEuphoria called Sonu Nigam the most talented singer in Bollywood.S. P. Balasubrahmanyam also appreciated his singing.[120]
Nigam is the winner of several awards including India's fourth highest civilian awardPadma Shri, oneNational Award, twoFilmfare Awards & twoFilmfare Awards South.[121][122][123][124] He has received seventeen nominations for Filmfare award for best playback singer, ten nominations for Filmfare awards South and is a winner of record four times out of eleven nominations forIIFA Award for Best Male playback singer and received anAcademy Awards nomination in 2014 for the soundtrack ofJal composed by Sonu Nigam andBickram Ghosh together.[125] He was ranked the Number 1 artist on the US Billboard Uncharted charts twice in September and October 2013.
1997 – Sansui Viewers' Choice Award for Best Male Singer for the songSandese Aate Hai, fromBorder
2012 –Filmfare Awards South, Kannada, Nominated for Best Male Playback Singer for the songs "Paravasha Naadenu" fromParamathma and "Neerinalli Sanna Ale" fromHudugaru
2012–2013 –Filmfare Awards South – Nominated – Best Playback Singer Male for the song "Chendutiya Pakkadali" from the movieDrama.[132]
In his later tweet he stated that he stands by his statement.[165] He later clarified that he is not against any specific religious ritual, but against the use of loudspeakers on religious buildings. He said that the use of loudspeaker to create noise pollution should be stopped beyond certain time as per the law of the land, irrespective of whether it is from a temple, mosque, gurudwara, or any other place.[166] Later, Sonu again sparked controversy, when he posted a video of Azaan from his home which proved that he was indeed disturbed very early in the morning.[167] Syed Sha Atef Ali Al Quaderi, vice-president of West Bengal United Minority Council announced a reward of ₹10 Lakh to anyone who shaved Nigam's head, to which Sonu Nigam responded by shaving his own head to claim the reward.[168] He deactivated his Twitter account in 2017 citing lack of freedom of speech, and said that sensible discussions were not possible due to the polarised atmosphere.[169]
In June 2020, after the demise of actorSushant Singh Rajput, Sonu Nigam posted a video saying that the music industry is also monopolised by two major companies and that he had also faced similar discrimination. He urged these music companies to be fair and kind to the newcomers in the music industry. Although he stopped short of naming anyone he made it clear that the malpractices in Bollywood are terrible and are almost killing the music talent of the country.[170] Sonu Nigam maintained that he didn't name anyone and was only putting up his point of view regarding the malpractices in the music industry of Bollywood. In his second video Nigam namesBhushan Kumar, CEO ofT-Series and tells him to stay away from him.[171]
In February 2022, he was accused of working with Rocky and Mr Rehan Siddiqui, who are blacklisted based on recommendations of the Consulate General of India for malpractices and supporting Pakistan-based terror groups. When Rajender Singh Pahl, a show promoter from USA, had contacted him for performing at a concert, he recommended him to contact Rehan Siddiqui.[172][173][174]
In December 2023, Omer Nadeem, a singer fromPakistan, accused Nigam of plagiarising his song "Aye Khuda" with the track "Sun Zara" released byT-Series (company).[175][176] Sonu further clarified and wrote that "Just so you all know, I have nothing to do with this. I was requested to do the song by KRK (Kamaal R. Khan), who is my neighbour in Dubai . . . If I had heard Omer's version, I would have never sung it".[177]
In May 2025, Sonu Nigam faced backlash and anFIR after linking aggressive demands to sing in Kannada at a Bengaluru concert to thePahalgam terror attack, prompting outrage from pro-Kannada groups. Defending his remarks, Nigam claimed he was threatened and said his intent was to condemn hate, not the Kannada community.[178]
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