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Sonu Nigam | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Born | (1973-07-30)30 July 1973 (age 52)[1] |
| Occupations |
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| Years active | 1992–present |
| Spouse | |
| Children | 1 |
| Father | Agam Kumar Nigam |
| Relatives | Teesha Nigam (sister) |
| Awards | See below |
| Honours |
|
| Musical career | |
| Genres | |
| Instrument | Vocal |
| Labels | |
Musical artist | |
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 sings predominantly inHindi andKannada language films. He has recorded over 6,000 songs in more than 32 languages throughout his career.[22][23][24] He has released a number of non-film albums and acted in someHindi films.[25] Nigam has been awarded oneNational Film Award, twoFilmfare Awards and twoFilmfare Awards South and fourIIFA Award for the Best Playback singer. He was ranked top artist on theBillboard Uncharted charts twice in September and October 2013.Nigam was honoured with thePadma Shri, India'sfourth-highest civilian award in 2022.
Sonu Nigam is known as the "Modern Rafi", a title given to him after his musical idolMohammad Rafi.[13] Apart from Hindi and Kannada, he has sung inBengali,Marathi,Telugu,Tamil,Odia,English,Assamese,Malayalam,Gujarati,Bhojpuri,Nepali,Tulu,Maithili, andManipuri. Overall, he has sung in more than 32 languages.[24][26][27] Nigam has released pop albums inHindi,Kannada,Odia,Chhattisgarhi andPunjabi, as well asHindu andIslamic devotional albums. He has released severalBuddhist albums. Nigam has performed in countries inNorth America,Africa,Asia,Australia and in the Middle East and western countries.
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]
Sonu Nigam began his career in early 1990s, initially overshadowed byUdit Narayan andKumar Sanu. His first song for a film was "O Aasmanwale" fromAaja Meri Jaan (1993). He gained recognition with TV serial song "Hum To Chhaila Ban Gaye" fromTalash (1992) and later for songs "Accha Sila Diya" (Bewafa Sanam), "Sandese Aate Hai" (Border), and "Yeh Dil Deewana" (Pardes). His albumDeewana (1999) became popular.[27]
Notable hits include "Suraj Hua Maddham", "You Are My Soniya" (Kabhi Khushi Kabhie Gham), "Panchi Nadiya Pawan Ke" (Refugee), "Tanhayee" (Dil Chahta Hai), and "Kal Ho Naa Ho" (Kal Ho Naa Ho), which earned him aNational Film Award andFilmfare Award. He also performed internationally and released tribute albums forMohammed Rafi such asRafi Resurrected.[40]
He sang "Chori Kiya Re Jiya" (Dabangg), "Abhi Mujh Mein Kahin" (Agneepath), and "Tere Bin" (Wazir). Nigam collaborated internationally withBritney Spears,Avicii,Jermaine Jackson, andkshmr. He performed major live concerts worldwide, including "Rafi Kishore aur Main" (UK, 2021), and launched his NFT series. Nigam also launched the label 'I Believe Music' in 2020.[41][42]
In February 2026, Nigam featured on the track "Iss Tarah", by singer-songwriter Chaar Diwaari.[43]
Nigam was the host of theSa Re Ga Ma Pa music show from 1995 until 1999 and became household name.[44] He returned onSa Re Ga Ma Pa L'il Champs International as a judge withSuresh Wadkar in October 2007. Nigam was a celebrity judge on theSa Re Ga Ma Pa Mega Challenge grand finale on 12 December 2009.
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.[45] 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.[44] 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 has also hosted3rd Mirchi Music Awards,[46]6th Mirchi Music Awards,[47]8th Mirchi Music Awards,[48]9th Mirchi Music Awards,[49]10th Mirchi Music Awards,[50]11th Mirchi Music Awards,[51] 13th Mirchi Music Awards[52] and 14th Mirchi Music awards[53] In 2021, Sonu Nigam appeared as one of the judges in the Bengali music reality showSuper Singer Season 3 onStar Jalsha, along withKumar Sanu andKaushiki Chakraborty.
Sonu Nigam is considered as one of the most versatile singers in the history of Indian music industry.[54][55][56]Forbes India has recognised Sonu Nigam as one of the most versatile singers in India.[57] Additionally, entertainment platformRadio Mirchi, music companySaregama, and media outletOutlook India have recognised Sonu Nigam as the most versatile Indian singer of his generation.[58][59][60] Nigam is widely regarded as the Lord of Chords in the Indian music industry.[61][62][63] Times of India said Nigam is one of the best live performers in India.[64]India TV and the London Singing Institute have included him in the list of the top 10 Indian singers of all time.[65][66] He is often compared toMohammed Rafi for similar voice texture.[67][68][69][70]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."[71]SingerArmaan Malik takes a lot of inspiration from him.[72] Singer and musicianAnkit Tiwari cites Nigam as one of his musical inspirations.[73]Shreya Ghoshal considers Sonu her favourite contemporary singer.[74]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.[75]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.[76][77]Palash Sen ofEuphoria called Sonu Nigam the most talented singer in Bollywood.S. P. Balasubrahmanyam also appreciated his singing.[78]
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Nigam has received several major awards including thePadma Shri (2022),National Film Award for Best Male Playback Singer (2004), multipleFilmfare Awards andFilmfare Awards South, and fourIIFA Awards. He has also received anOscar nomination in 2014 for the filmJal.[79]
| Year | Film |
|---|---|
| 2013 | Sooper Se Ooper |
| Singh Saab The Great | |
| 2014 | Jal |
| 2017 | Half Widow |
| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1980 | Pyaara Dushman | Child artist | |
| 1982 | Ustadi Ustad Se | Young Rajesh | |
| Kaamchor | Sonu | ||
| 1983 | Betaab | Sunny | |
| 2002 | Jaani Dushman: Ek Anokhi Kahani | Vivek Saxena | |
| 2003 | Kash Aap Hamare Hote | Jai Kumar | |
| 2004 | Love in Nepal | Abby | |
| 2005 | Navra Maza Navsacha | Marathi film; guest appearance in a song | |
| 2013 | Warning | Guest appearance in the song "Takeedein" | |
| 2016 | Raakh | Guest appearance in song 'Bas Itna Hai Kahena" | |
| 2019 | Spotless | Varun | Short film[80] |
| SP Chauhan | Himself | Guest appearance in song 'Ishq Ki Gali' | |
| 2024 | Navra Maza Navsacha 2 | Himself | Marathi film; guest appearance in a song |
| Film title | Original Voice | Character | Dub Language | Original Language | Original Release | Dub Release | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Aladdin[81] | Scott Weinger (Speaking) Brad Kane(Singing) | Aladdin (Speaking and Singing) | Hindi | English | 1992 | 1994 | Dubbed by Modi Entertainment.[82] |
| Year | Title | Role | Notes | Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1995–2000 | Sa Re Ga Ma Pa | Host | [83] | |
| 2002 | Kisme Kitna Hai Dum | Host | ||
| 2004–2006 | Indian Idol | Judge | season 1–2 | |
| 2005 | Sensational Sonu Nigam – Making of a Star | Himself | [84] | |
| 2007 | Sa Re Ga Ma Pa L'il Champs International | Judge | ||
| 2010 | Chhote Ustaad 2 | Judge | ||
| 2011 | X Factor India | Judge | ||
| 3rd Mirchi Music Awards | Host | |||
| 2012 | Zee Rishtey Awards 2012 | Host | [85] | |
| 2013 | MTV Unplugged | Singer | ||
| Kaun Banega Crorepati | Special Appearance | [86] | ||
| 2014 | 6th Mirchi Music Awards | Host | ||
| 2015 | Suron Ke Rang Colors Ke Sang | Host | ||
| 2016 | 8th Mirchi Music Awards | Host | ||
| 2016–2017 | Indian Idol | Judge | season 9 | |
| 2017 | 9th Mirchi Music Awards | Host | ||
| 2018 | 10th Mirchi Music Awards | Host | ||
| 2019 | 11th Mirchi Music Awards | Host | ||
| 2020 | Sangeet Setu – Artists' Care for India | Singer | [87] | |
| Super Singer (Season 2) Star Jalsha | Guest | Super Finale episode | [88] | |
| 2021 | 13th Mirchi Music Awards | Host | [89] | |
| Unacademy Unwind With MTV | Singer | |||
| Super Singer season 3 (Bengali) | Judge | [90] | ||
| 2022 | Naam Reh Jaayega | Host | [91] |
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In 2015, Sonu Nigam alleged that he faced a ban fromZEE Music Company after expressing his support forKumar Vishwas in a tweet.[92]
On 16 April 2017 in a series of tweets he complained that amplified 'Azaan' (Muslim call for prayer) wasforced religiousness. He tweeted,
- " God bless everyone. I'm not a Muslim and I have to be woken up by the Azaan in the morning. When will this forced religiousness end in India."
- " And by the way Mohammed did not have electricity when he made Islam.. Why do I have to have this cacophony after Edison?"
- "I don't believe in any temple or gurudwara using electricity To wake up people who don't follow the religion. Why then..? Honest? True?"
- " Gundagardi hai bus..."[93]
In his later tweet he stated that he stands by his statement.[94] 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.[95] 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.[96] 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.[97] 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.[98]
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.[99] 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.[100]
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.[101][102][103]
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).[104][105] 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".[106]
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.[107]
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