Sonu Nigam says ‘I am 51, won't take humiliation from anyone' after Kannada song controversy: ‘I am entitled to take offence, school them'

Indian Express

05-05-2025

Singer Sonu Nigam recently made headlines after a video of him from a recent concert in Bengaluru went viral. In the video, the 51-year-old singer can be seen schooling a student who reportedly rudely demanded the singer to sing in the local language. The video also attracted an FIR against the singer as he compared the student's hate to the incident that took place in Pahalgam. Now, Sonu Nigam has shared a long note, claiming he is not a young lad to take humiliation from anyone. Standing by his decision to school the student, Sonu said he will co-operate with Karnataka Police in the ongoing investigation against his remarks at the event.
Taking to his Instagram, Sonu penned a long note. He wrote, 'I have given unprecedented love to the language, the culture, the music, the musicians, the state and the people not just when I am in Karnataka but anywhere else in the world. Infact I have revered my Kannada songs way more than my songs in other languages including Hindi. There are 100s of videos circulating on social media as a testimony. I have more than hour of Kannada songs that I prepare for every concert when in Karnataka.'
He added, 'However, 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 right after my first song of the concert!'
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A post shared by Sonu Nigam (@sonunigamofficial)
The singer shared this behaviour by the young student provoked others too who joined him in demanding songs in Kannada. 'Their own people were embarrassed and were asking them to shut up. I told them very politely and lovingly the show has just started, it's my first song and that I will not let them down, but they have to let me continue with the concert the way I have planned. Every artiste has a song list prepared so the musicians and technicians are in sync. But they were hell bent on creating ruckus and threatening me wildly. Tell me who is at fault?'
Sonu explained, '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. I had to school them, and I did, and thousands of students and teachers cheered me for it. The matter got over and I sang Kannada for more than an hour. It's all there on social media.'
He concluded his post by showing trust in the people and police of Karnataka. He wrote, 'I leave it upto the sensible people of Karnataka to decide who is at fault here. I will accept your verdict gracefully. I fully respect and trust the law agencies and Police of Karnataka and will comply with whatever is expected from me. I have received divine love from Karnataka and will cherish it always with no malice whatsoever irrespective of your verdict.'
This note of Sonu Nigam attracted several reactions of his fans, who flooded the comment section with supportive messages. A fan wrote, 'We support you Sonu Sir, you're an irreplaceable asset to the nation.' Another user wrote, 'We love you and respect you so much and always with you no matter what!'
What is the controversy about?
Sonu Nigam landed in legal trouble after a video of him from his concert in Bengaluru went viral. An FIR was filed against the playback singer in Karnataka's Avalahalli Police, who have issued a notice to the singer, asking him to appear for questioning.
Sonu Nigam's video is from his concert in Bengaluru's East Point College. In the video, the singer can be seen schooling a student who allegedly screamed at him, demanding a song in Kannada. Post the incident, the singer paused his show to address the crow. He said, 'In my career, I have sung in multiple languages but the best songs that I have ever sung is in the Kannada language. Whenever I come to your city, I come with lots of love. We do a lot of shows in a lot of places, but whenever we have shows in Karnataka we come with a lot of respect for you. You have treated me like your family, but I didn't like when the boy there, who is not even as old as my career, is rudely threatening me to sing in Kannada.'
He added, 'This is the reason behind the incident in Pahalgam. Please see who is standing before you. I love you guys. I do so many shows across the world where thousands of people gather, and every time I hear even a single person shouting 'Kannada', I make sure to sing at least one line in Kannada for them. That's how much I love and respect all of you. So please be kind.'
Sonu Nigam has sung several songs in Kannada including the iconic 'Munngaru Maleye' starring Golden star Ganesh and in Puneeth Rajkumar-starrer Ninnindale.