Sonu Nigam on his father Agam Kumar Nigam Both my father and I are Leos. Incidentally, so is my mother. So between me and my dad, there is the undercurrent of an ego problem. My father is an extremely self-respecting person and very much a Leo. He is very talented (he's a singer) and knows his capabilities.
And we know what a special human being he is. He's got a tremendous sense of humour, but, at the same time, he's the kind who would never tolerate any nonsense.
Unlike other children who proudly say that they're friends with their parents, my father and I are not friends. We are a father and son and we maintain a certain distance. We discuss business, we laugh together, but we're not friends. I don't share my secrets with him. I don't confide in him. He advises me. It was my father who advised me against doing concerts in Mumbai when I was struggling. And I think that has worked well for me.
There are many issues we don't agree on.
His way of dealing with people is totally different from mine. I can be quite diplomatic and soothe egos when necessary, but there is nothing calculating about my father. He is very straightforward. When I came to Mumbai, I lived alone and used to cook and clean for myself. At that time, my father used to specially come down from Delhi to be with me. As a child, I used to study very hard. Dad must be the only father in the world who'd say, ``Don't study so much, go and play.
I grew up used to hearing my father sing and right from the age of three I took to singing loudly in the house. When he was performing, I used to follow him backstage and insist on singing. I remember him telling mummy, ``Control him.We are a small, close-knit family and we're all very close to each
other. I'm very short-tempered and this is something I have inherited from my father. He is the kind who'd never ask for work, but I would.
I have this killer instinct and I want to make it by hook or crook. Not with my dad. I know he's proud of me, but he never expresses it in so many words. On my last birthday, he kissed me, but never said anything. He hardly ever says much.
