Tracking Sonu Nigam
" I know only three people connected with politics... Amar Singh, Mulayam Singh and Smita Thackerayji who's like an elder sister I respect." He's totally engrossed in a movie playing on his home theatre system when I land up at his residence for an interview. Sonu Nigam is visibly relaxed. The responsibility of anchoring the TV show, 'Sa Re Ga Ma', had been weighing him down. Yet the show made him a household name. So what made him opt out mid-way and leave the producers in the lurch? Pronto Sonu counters, "That's not true at all. 'Sa Re Ga Ma' is my baby too. We nurtured it well. It's a matter of great pride to be an anchor for such a big show. Now, Amaan and Ayaan are carrying on the good work.
He continues, "Shootings, riyaaz, recordings, sittings for pop albums plus shooting videos were all happening simultaneously. Twenty-four hours in a day were just not enough. So, when they found suitable replacements, I opted out of the show." I tell him that he's the most sought-after Indipop singer, popular and highly paid. "Stop, stop," laughs Sonu. "I keep my fingers crossed. I guess I'm God's favourite. He's given me everything I
could ask for and I'm grateful to Him for the success I've achieved." Though several other singers have come out with pop albums, Sonu has been the luckiest so far. He's popular both as a playback and a pop singer. His album, 'Deewana', sold more than 10 lakh pieces (officially) and the latest, 'Jaan', is speeding ahead. Sonu says softly, "As far I know, Altaf Raja's 'Tum To Thehre Pardesi' was the highest selling album followed by 'Deewana'. And now it's 'Jaan'. A pop album is hard work." Sonu started his career, 14 years ago, with T-Series yet when he received a lucrative offer from Magnasound to cut a private album, he had no qualms about leaving T-Series. Hadn't he made a promise to the late Gulshan Kumar that he wouldn't cut any private album outside T-Series? Sonu justifies his action with, "I spoke to Nanu (Bhushan Kumar, the late Gulshan Kumar's
son) about the offer and he's such a gentleman that he had no objections.
After all, my commitment to Gulshanji was verbal and there was no contract." In that case, why did he refuse to cut an album with Tips? Patiently, Sonu answers, "That offer came a long time ago. Gulshanji was alive then. I couldn't break my word. Now Bushan heads T-Series and he doesn't mind my working with other music companies." After 'Kismat', Sonu cut one more album with Magnasound, 'Mausam'. Though the compositions were good, the
audience thumbed it down. Sonu feels sad that 'Mausam' didn't do well commercially. He states, "Music and performance-wise, that was my best album. It has a unique combination of classical and jazz music with fusion and aalaps. It was an experimental ablum. 'Mausam' failed because it was ahead of its time." Having known Sonu to be a gentleman and a thorough professional, reports of his erratic behaviour have come as a surprise. A
report in the press has alleged that Sonu demanded more money left mid-way during the Bharat Parva show organised by Sahara. Sonu interrupts, "Hello, hello... Whoever told you this is a liar. It's time I come clean. I have great respect for Mr Subroto Roy of Sahara, he's like my guru. I agreed to charge a nominal fee since it was his show. "But, as a matter of principle, I don't allow my show to be shot on video. It's a question of my rozi roti. So when I spotted the video cameras hovering around, I requested that they be switched off."
Sonu pauses and continues, "The lights were very harsh and the whole auditorium looked like a wedding mandap. So I once again requested the organisers to switch some of them off. Once again my request was ignored." The last straw was when Sonu was accused of unprofessionalism. He packed his bags and returned to Mumbai. "I know who are behind these rumours. Some people who are close to Mr Roy and are jealous of me were scared that I might tell him exactly what happened. But they can rest assured. I'm not prone to carrying tales. I respect Mr Roy and always will," he sighs. To change the subject, I remind him that his music directors have been instrumental in pulling him out of Mohammed Rafi's shadow. Earlier, only the rona-dhona songs came his way, today he has to his credit "Satrangi re" ('Dil Se'), "What is mobile number" ('Haseena Maan Jaayegi'), "Deewana
dil" ('Pardes') and "Sarfaroshi ki shama" ('Sarfarosh').
Which music director has contributed most to his growth as a singer?
"You're hellbent on getting me into trouble," he smiles, adding, "Since I've worked with almost every music director, it's difficult for me to choose. I hope no one takes this amiss but Anu Malik has given me some very good numbers to sing." Among his contemporaries, Sonu vibes well with Abhijeet. Sonu says, "Abhijeet is very straightforward but he's often
misunderstood. He's good company." Few know that Sonu's a good mimic too.
Has he ever thought of becoming an actor?
Right off, he laughs, "No,not right now. I have received some
tempting offers but right now I'm enjoying the success of 'Jaan'. Things might have been different if Shekhar Kapur hadn't gone off to London for Elizabeth. I had been finalised for 'Ta Ra Rum Pum Pum' which was eventually shelved. The industry buz is that you have signed Ramesh Taurani's film and are being paid an astronomical sum for it. "Oh God!" Sonu chuckles, "I've received 16 film offers after the release of 'Jaan', but I've yet to sign even one. But yes, if do make up my mind to turn actor, preference will be given to Tips."
The buzz is that Sonu uses his political connections to get his way. Trying to keep his cool, Sonu asks, "Who's spreading these rumours? Don't people have anything else to talk about? I know only three people connected with politics. They are Amar Singh, Mulayam Singh (this has nothing to do with their parties) and Smita Thackerayji who's like an elder sister I respect."
To wind up I want to know whether, having achieved name, fame and money Sonu was inclined towards social service. He admits that the pathetic conditions of ennuchs appal him. Since they aren't provided with any work, they have to take to begging and are often made fun of. He'd like to do something to better their lot.
