Sonu Nigam Talks On His Work, His Albums & His Personal Life
He's amongst the topmost singers in the industry today. Whether it's 'Sandese Aate Hain' in Border, 'What Is Your Mobile Number' in Hassena Maan Jayegi, 'Zinadagi Maut Na Ban Jaye' in Sarfarosh or 'Banke Tera Jogi' in Phir Bhi Dil Hai Hindustani, Sonu's always trying something new. Obviously, life will take a new direction now, for Sonu is looking forward to life without
Sa Re Ga ma.
Now that you've quit the show, what are your priorities?
I want to sing as much as I can. One reason why I discontinued Sa Re Ga Ma was that I could not take up alot of singing offers that I was getting. Now I want to do more playback singing. I even want to loosen up my schedule a bit. I hardly have time for myself. I haven't taken a holiday for seven years, you see.
Till now, how have you managed to balance your television commitments with your singing assignments?
I work alot. That's the only thing that helps me. Whether it's my show, my concerts or my film assignments, I spend alot of time working. I don't sleep more than four or five hours a day.
There are times when I sleep only one hour.
When do you get time to practice?
I sqeeze in time whenever I get. Sometimes I practice before I begin recording. Sometimes I practice before shows. If ther's nobody sitting next to me on flight, I begin with my riyaz.
I also keep a harmonium in my car so that I can sing during a long drive.
Did you always want to become a singer? And what attracted you to singing?
I began learning when I was only three and a half years old because my parents, Agam Kumar Nigam and Shobha Nigam, sing. But I wasn't always bent on becoming a singer. When I was a child,
I wanted to become a scientist. Then I wanted to become an astronomer. Still later, I wanted to join the Indian Foreign Service because I wanted to travel around the world.
So what made you end up with singing?
I won many cometitions at school in Delhi. So I got inclined towards performing. Talking of your private albums, 'Deewana' has been your biggest seller.
What do you attribute it's success to?
People want melody and Deewana had a fresh feel. The music and lyrics were nice. On top of that, T - Series did a fabulous job at marketing it. There were alot of expectations from 'Mausam', but it didn't do too well... I lived to my expectations. In fact, I consider the song 'Bijuria' to be my biggest gift to the
film industry. It's a big rage at concerts. People go wild whenver I sing it. As for the sales, Magnasound would be in a better position to answer it.
You've done film songs regularly. But why is it that you sing only one or two songs in a film, and not four or five?
That will happen now. I am getting plenty of offers to sing in movies. I've got many songs in J.P Dutta's Refugee and in Mahesh Bhatt's next film.
How do you react to statements that you try to sing like Mohammed Rafi?
If people are making such remarks, I can only pray to God to forgive their ignorance. Do "What Is Mobile" and "Satrangi Re" sound like Rafi? Please, I don't copy Rafi-Saab.
Let's talk about your large fan following next. How do you react to all the adulation?
I feel very happy. I am very religious and I thank God for every momment. But then, too much attention can steal your privacy. Recently, in Assam, a few us ventured out at 3:30 in the
morning, just to enjoy the natural atmosphere. But even at that time, lots of people pounced at me for autographs.
Do you read your fan mail regularly?
I do read a bit of the mail. It's good fun. But it's not so easy for fans to get directly in touch with me. I don't even keep a mobile.
You say you are religious, do you pray regularly?
I believe in God. After taking a bath, I think of God.
Since you're such a popular singer, hasn't anybody approached you for an acting offer?
I've had an offer or two. But I don't think I'm inclined to become an actor. Acting is altogether a different field. I'm mentally not prepared for it, but then who knows about the
future.
