Pop music isn't just about attitude. It's not just wearing sunglasses to the disco, disregarding senior artistes and punctuating every sentence with four letters rds. "Unfortunately,
our generation has come to believe that it's only such behaviour that gets you recognition of being a pop star," observes the 24-year-old playback singer. Sonu's firm belief is that one can
be simple and yet be a pop star. "It's a misconception and our pop stars behave in this demeaning manner because it's the only thing they have seen of international stars. But it's not the
complete picture they have seen. This is what happens when one blindly follows another culture, " says the host of the immensely popular Zee TV musical show TVS Sa Re Ga Ma.
When Sonu runs down the behaviour of our pop stars, you're compelled to give it second thought. For not only does he practise what he says but has managed to get a solo record deal, too, without compromising his principles. "There's nothing more preposterous than to believe that one can't get a record deal without displaying attitude," says Sonu. After lending his voice
to countless films, starting with Achcha Sila Diya for the film Bewafa Sanam in the early 90s, Sonu released his first ever solo album, Kismat.
Sonu was unsure where he'd fit into the music industry when he decided on music as his career. Things just clicked for me in playback singing and I continued to consolidate my position in
films before I agreed to do a pop album. I think this album has come at an appropriate stage in my career," explains the Mohd Rafi and Michael Jackson fan. "These two singers have inspired
and influenced me the most," Sonu informs. Sonu's foray into the world on music was predestined. His father, Agam Kumar Nigam, was a big name on the concert circuit in the 80s and it was only natural that the junior Nigam's world be filled with music.
"I gave my first live performance when I was three-and-a-half," reveals the singer. Incredible as it may seem, but after bagging every possible singing competition at the junior level, there came a point when Sonu was not permitted to compete in not only his own category, but the senior categories as well! "So organisers of competitions would invite me to be the chief guest and distribute the prizes," he chuckles.
But how does he rate himself as a singer? "I have a long way to go. I've only just begun and I have to practice every day. Without that, my voice goes for a toss. I didn't have a powerful
voice when I started and have worked hard to make it sound the way it does now. Every singer has to work on his or her voice. But I do have an extraordinary sense of music," he says.
And though Sonu is forthcoming while talking about his work, ask him about his love life and he clamps downs. "Nothing exciting there. I'm far too young to get married," he says.
