Sonu Nigam's Song Dropped From Kannada Film Amid Backlash Over Pahalgam Remarks
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Sonu Nigam faces backlash from the Kannada film industry after referencing the Pahalgam terror attack during a Bengaluru concert.
Playback singer Sonu Nigam is facing backlash from the Kannada film industry after an incident at his recent concert in Bengaluru. The controversy began when Nigam reacted to repeated song requests in Kannada and referenced the Pahalgam terror attack during his response. This has now led to his removal from the upcoming Kannada film Kuladalli Keelyavudo. The filmmakers confirmed that Nigam's song Manasu Haadtade has been removed from the film. Directed by K Ramnarayan, the song was composed by Manomurthy and written by Yogaraj Bhat, and it had already created some buzz before the controversy.
The makers of the film issued a statement that read, 'There is no doubt that Sonu Nigam is a good singer. But, we are very upset by how he spoke about Kannada recently at a concert. We cannot tolerate the insult Sonu Nigam has done to Kannada, so we have removed the song."
Kannada singer Chethan has been brought in to re-record the song. The film's producer, Santosh Kumar, also announced that he will not collaborate with Sonu Nigam in the future.
Sonu Nigam Kannada Controversy
Meanwhile, Sonu Nigam has issued a formal clarification following the backlash over his recent comments at a concert in Bengaluru. The controversy stems from an incident on April 25, 2025, at East Point College, where the singer reacted to a Kannada song request from a fan and referenced the Pahalgam terror attack during his response.
In the wake of the incident, the Avalahalli Police issued a formal notice to Nigam, summoning him to appear for an inquiry within a week. Responding to it, the singer posted a detailed statement on Monday, breaking his silence and offering his version of the events.
An excerpt from his statement read, 'I am not a young lad to take humiliation from anyone. I am 51 years old, in the second half of my life and am entitled to take offence for someone as young as my son threatening me directly in front of thousands in the name of language that too Kannada which is my second language when it comes to my work. That too after my first song of the concert! He provoked a few more. Their own people were embarrassed and were asking them to shut up."
'Tell me who is at fault?" Nigam questioned, adding, 'Being a patriot that I am, I loathe anyone trying to create hate in the name of language, caste or religion especially after what transpired in Pahalgam." He said that 'thousands of students and teachers cheered' him when he schooled them.
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