Speak easy with Sonu Nigam

My smile is my strength

Music is...

...a neccessity for me.

Your greatest fear...

...of being accused of something which I haven't done.

My strength is ....

....my sensitivity and smile.

Your inspiration?

Michael Jackson.

I begin my day with...

...God on my mind

If you got lost in a desert, who would you like to be with you?

Lisa Ray, because she's roaming all over the desert in Afreen Afreen anyway.

In your spare time....

...I play at the keyboards and music machine.

Your happiest moment was...

...when another singer sang Accha sila diya on stage in fromnt onf me.

Any music personality you'd like to meet?

Lata Mangeshkar.

When do you get upset?

When my throat isn't functioning well.

One thing I'd like to change about myself....

...my habit of getting close to people in a very short time. Many times it has backfired on me.

Your favourite holiday spot is..

... Fiji Islands. But I'd also like to visit Greenland in the future.

Your motto in life?

Do not fear death. Also do good to others while you're still alive.

Your ultimate ambition...

... is to do the kind of work Mother Teresa is doing.

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”.

Sonu Nigam(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.

Sonu Nigam(Star Interviews - BBC Online)

Discovered by the late business tycoon Gulshan Kumar, this young star has now established himself as one the most popular singers in the industry. With his musical TV show already a huge success all over the globe what lies ahead for the very handsome Sonu Nigam?

Rajni: Sonu, what’s it like being a heartthrob? Everywhere you go girls are crazy about you!
Sonu: Thanks for that Rajni, but I really don’t know why that is. My dad and my brother in law deal with all my fan mail - I don’t go to clubs or parties, I just do my work and come home.

Rajni: But you seem to be different from other singers as the female fan following that you have is on a par with the film stars.
Sonu: I really don’t know why Rajni. Actually I’m blushing and I don’t know what to say but I don’t think that I’m that different from other singers.

Rajni: Would you go for an arranged marriage or would you find your own partner?
Sonu: When I was younger I always said that I’d never get married and I wouldn’t want to bring children in to this world where there is so much unhappiness. But my views have changed now and I would go for a love marriage and find my own partner, someone who would respect my family and also respect other religions. I’m sorry to say that today there are so many people who only respect their own religions, but expect others to respect theirs. Also, my partner doesn’t have to be a great singer…

Rajni: ...but has to have an interest in music as music plays a large part in your life?
Sonu: Yes, definitely.

Rajni: Sonu this really surprises me because throughout the interview the impression that one gets is that you’d go for a traditional marriage instead of a love marriage.
Sonu: Rajni that’s a good question. Most people are surprised when they learn that I’d go for a love marriage.

Rajni: Do you believe in love at first sight?
Sonu: Yes.

Rajni: Have you noticed a change in attitude from filmmakers and music directors towards you now that you achieved fame and success as compared to when you started out?
Sonu: The attitude is the same but now I can ask which actor I’m singing for and I like to know about the story. When I started out I never had the guts to ask.

Rajni: Did you realise when your TV show Sa Re Ga Ma started out that it would become a huge success around the globe?
Sonu: No, I was very nervous because it was something totally different. We had entertainment shows but nothing like this as it involved a slower pace with different types of music like classical, pop etc. Above all, it involved finding new talent. But it’s a wonderful feeling to see that Sa Re Ga Ma has been appreciated.

Rajni: Presenting a show like Sa Re Ga Ma, you’ve had the chance of meeting some of the biggest names from music. What has been your most memorable highlight?
Sonu: I’ve been very lucky and God has been very kind to me, but meeting Naushad Saab was very special.

Rajni: When you sing in front of big star guests aren’t you nervous?
Sonu: Yes I’m always nervous especially when you’re singing a song by Naushad Saab knowing that he’s sitting right there watching you recite his original song.

Rajni: When you take the show on the road outside India, does it surprise you to see the response that you get?
Sonu: Yes, always. It’s wonderful to see the love that you receive from people all over the world. It really amazes me.

Listener: Sonu, I’m coming to India soon and I’d like to know how to get an audition for Sa Re Ga Ma because I really want to become a singer.
Sonu: About Sa Re Ga Ma, I’m quitting the show. In fact, I already have quit the show.

Rajni: Sonu, did I just hear what I thought I heard?
Sonu: Yes Rajni, you are the first people to know. Even in India no journalist knows this.

Rajni: This announcement is an exclusive?
Sonu: Like I said, you’re the first to know.

Rajni: What made you decide to quit? Is it because you’ve already taken the show to ultimate heights of success?
Sonu: No, it’s not that. After doing the show for nearly five years, it was becoming very difficult to manage my singing and ‘Sa Re Ga Ma at the same time. With filming schedules, all I was doing was to travel all the time and I was away from my family most of the time, plus I want to spend more time on my singing.

Rajni: Will they scrap Sa Re Ga Ma now?
Sonu: No they won’t. It’s a wonderful show and will continue to be so and I wish the whole unit all the best. It was fantastic working with all of them.

Rajni: So where does Sonu Nigam go from here?
Sonu: I know that I’m destined for something else, but I don’t know what. I know that there’s something else that I’m destined to besides singing, but at the moment I really don’t know what it is.

Interview by Rajni Sharma
Filmi Duniya, BBC Asian Network

Sonu Nigam is Deewana ( Apr 30, 1999 ( Times Of India )

Sonu Nigam is Deewana
In the last couple of years things have dramatically changed for Sonu Nigam. There was a time one recalls when he used to complain that music directors and the music companies were not interested in promoting songs sung by him. But things have dramatically changed in the last couple of years. And it all started with Border where his song(song along with Roop Kumar Rathore) Sandese Aate Hain became very popular and was all over the music channels. Having conquered the uncertain Bollywood music industry, Nigam set his eyes on the Indi-pop scene. He started out with Tu, the music of which was produced by Biddu. The album was a moderate success. But with Deewana, Sonu Nigam has a winner in his hands.

As one can make out from the title of the album, Deewana has everything to do with love. The eight songs in the album convey the sundry moods of love --from Izhaar(confession) to Judai(separation). All the eight songs have been penned by Faiz Anwar, the music of which has been composed by Sajid-Wajid.

The album opens with Aab Mujhe Raat Din, a romantic number which has been picturised on Deewakar Pundir in the music video by Anubhav Sinha. The song has already become a rage. At times it is being telecast simultaneously on Channel V and MTV. What makes the song different from the other love ballads doing the rounds of the music channels is that it has been sung with a lot of feeling. Quite unlike Nigam, who has been reduced to singing devotional songs and Rafi clones by Bollywood film industry. The song is simply music to ears, if one can put it that way.

If Aab Mujhe Raat Din is akin to soft nothings being whispered in the beloved ears, the title track of the album is more of an open confession, announcing to the world that you are a deewana.

Other songs worth mentioning are Dil Se Dil Tak Baat Pahunchi, a ghazal which has excellent lyrics, Kuch Tum Socho and Kaun Hai Woh Ladki.

It is very rare to find an album which has more than two or three quality songs. But Deewana is an exception. It doesn't matter whether you are a Sonu Nigam fan or not, it is one album which you can enjoy from the beginning to the end.

Album - Deewana

Singer - Sonu Nigam

Rating - Very good

Source:http://www.geocities.com/

Sonu Nigam's says "I love everything to do with paneer"

He came to Mumbai from Delhi to do playback singing and has become, instead, one of the most popular pop artistes today. His last album Deewana was a smash hit and his latest, Jaan, has had unprecedented sales already. The singer with his boyish good looks hosts the programme Sa re ga ma on Zee TV and the entire female population across the continents is his fan. But he's a simple boy at heart, straightforward, honest and hardworking.

What keeps him going apart from music? "Where food is concerned, paneer in any form is my favourite," he tells us. I'm not a great restaurant-goer and if I go I always let my companion order the food because I just don't know what to order. I must have eaten the same dishes hundreds of times but I never bother to find out what I'm eating and which restaurant I'm at. So I can't tell you if I have a favourite restaurant.

"I love butter chicken and tandoori chicken and I'm a good cook too. In fact when I first came to Mumbai from Delhi, I was 17 years old. I lived alone and cooked for myself. I can cook everything including parathas!

"My favourite cuisine is Indian and Chinese because of the balance of spices and sauces. I love eating non-vegetarian food in North India particularly in Delhi. If we entertain at home we normally serve Indian food. If I have a choice I enjoy buffets because there's so much variety to choose from and it's more fun saying 'no I don't want this'.

"Today if I'm alone at home I wouldn't cook even though I can, I'd order in. Earlier I used to make things like aloo ki sabji, burji, dal, or an omelette. I love everything to do with paneer, paneer makhanwala, paneer ka kofta. I also love sweets and my favourite is gulab jamun with ice cream. And yes, I don't get fat because I have so much nervous energy to expend. I eat parathas or a cheese sandwich for breakfast. I go to the gym at Guestline Days (a hotel in Juhu, Mumbai).


When I'm at a restaurant I dislike eating appetisers and starters, it kills my appetite. I hate it when there are gaps between different courses because that too kills my appetite. I never drink water in between meals - always before or after a meal. I never choose the food we eat - that makes everyone around me mad but I end up having the best food because everyone else orders the speciality of that particular restaurant."

As told to Lata Khubchandani

Source:http://www.geocities.com/

Sonu Nigam's Interview

Sonu Nigam is now an actor. He seems to love acting as much as his singing now.

Recently he even cancelled a recording to accommodate his shooting schedule. This at a time, when he has set a record for singing 36 songs in a day, remixes, but nevertheless a feat by itself. Excerpts from an interview with the singer turned star.:

Why was the necessity to shift stance form singing to acting?
In case you are not aware, I have been an actor before. I have acted as a child artiste in many films playing young Rakesh Roshan, Sunny Deol, Mithun Chakraborthy among others. So I had acted before. It was not as if I had not faced the camera ever.

No, our question is why did you shift, when you were doing so well?
See, I have not shifted. I am still singing. I have been besieged with offers ever since I have been doing TVS Sa Re Ga Ma. I was originally supposed to be acting in Shekhar Kapur's film Tararumpumpum. But ever since he shifted base to Hollywood, the film never worked out. Meanwhile I had been singing. My singing got noticed, I got good offers to sing and TVS Sa Re Ga Ma happened leading to me getting acting offers again.

How did you feel taking on a risk like this at a time in your career?
Though singing has always been my passion and ambition, I like undertaking new ventures. My exposure in video albums and hosting the Sa Re Ga Ma show on the small screen, had already brought me into lime-light. As it is, casting new faces became a trend in 2000. Many new comers like Hrithik Roshan and Abhishek Bachchan conquered the show. So I know that I am on a tough ground. I was the best when it came to music videos. I am reasonably well off as a singer. But here, I will be compared with the best even though I am just starting off. People like Amitabh Bachchan, Dilip Kumar and recently Hrithik and Abhishek have done well. I will be pitted against them, voluntarily or involuntarily.

Which are the movies that you are currently doing?
Currently I am doing Raj Kumar Kohli's Jaani Dushman. I am also doing a Raj Babbar movie and a few other movies, which I wouldn't like to unveil so soon. I am simply enjoying each and every movie that I am doing presently. I would not jump into doing too many films now.

How do you feel, facing the camera as an actor?
I am nervous but at the same time happy. I at times feel the loss of confidence, when all the arc lights are more on me. But Raj Kumar Kohli has enabled me to become camera friendly by regularly boosting up my confidence, and I am at ease while mouthing my dialogues.

We heard you did a very risky shot in this film Jaani Dushman...
Yeah, one of the shots I did was a great dare devilry. I am not a swimmer. In the movie there is a particular fight and a chase scene here I and Akki (Akshay Kumar), are in speed boats. I was all alone riding my boat with an average speed of 15 to 20, whereas Akki zoomed in full speed. A helicopter which was hovering above me cajoled me to go faster and finish the scene but I was mentally unprepared. They were talking with each other about my fear on their walkie-talkies. I had a handset with me and I could hear their conversations. That made me very aggressive. I set the boat on a high speed and only manoeuvred the steering wheel. I matched the speed with Akki, as the unit was taken aback, all were wondering whether I will injure myself or crash land. Thank God everything went right.

Is this your first film?
As for facing the camera, yes it's my first film as hero. Otherwise, I have first signed Ramesh Taurani's three films and then Devgan's to be directed by Akashdeep. But they haven't started as yet.