Sonu Nigam introduces himself in new avataar
CHANDIGARH, June 19
The man who sent ripples down the spine of the music industry ith his debut songs recorded by T-Series was in the city today for a big purpose. Normally one would not hear of singers inaugurating acting institutes, but when one is referring to Sonu Nigam, things get a little exceptional.
And this exception stems from the fact that Sonu is not just a singer any more. He will shortly be seen in his new avatar — as an actor. With three movies at hand, he is all set to become a cynosure of all eyes even as a hero. And today he almost blushed as he introduced this fact to the public which was gathered in too big numbers to see him.
The occasion was inauguration of a modern film and television institute, The Groomers, in Sector 35. But to talk of the truth, the initial one-hour was too tough to be borne in the sense that the star of the evening was lost among the crowd. As the question-answer sessions progressed the atmosphere kept getting noisier and all one could witness was chaos around with everyone asking another one to keep quiet.
Later when things calmed down, many things became known about the institute and why Chandigarh was chosen as its base. The place sounds unique with its claim of offering a comprehensive training in dance, singing and allied fields in a period of just four months. What appeals more to the mind is the solid faculty which the director if the institute, Mr Satto Singh, is supposed to get from Mumbai.
"None less than Kishore Namit Kapoor and his troupe will be here to train the aspirants," informed Mr Satto Singh whose association with the industry is about 33-year old. He has been attached to productions like Beti, Pathar aur Payal, Warrant, Kacche Heere, etc. As far as Kapoor is concerned, he is the man who has to his credit the training of stars like Hritik Roshan, Kareena Kapoor, Saif Ali Khan and Sonali Bendre.
To add credibility to the venture, the organisers also announced a film Hum phir vohi dil laye hain starring Raj Babbar and Danny in lead roles. Interestingly, hero and heroine of this film, which is due to be directed by Mr Lawrence D'Souza, will be chosen from among those who take the above-stated four month course.
Informed Mr Satto Singh,"Lawrence will visit the city and select the star cast for his movies. All we wish to convey is that we are not here to just promise falsely, but also to offer results." It is learnt that Paintal will also come to the city to train those who enroll with The Groomers for the course. Another attraction of the course is that after completion the trainers will get an opportunity to get their portfolios clicked from people of high repute like Jayesh Seth and Jagdish Mali.
Introducing the director of the institute today, Sonu said that he had always remembered Satto singh as the first producer who had offered to sign him for his film. That was when Sonu had said that he could never face the camera.
With all such fears having gone with the wind, the state is different when Sonu is ready to face the glaring lights and also test himself in an entirely new field. "But it takes courage to take such a decision, for I am already a known singer. I will have to put in a lot of effort to transform my image."
About his singing, Sonu said that the talent was inborn. "I have been singing since I was as young as three years of age. My life as a singer is spotted with struggles galore. The actual break came much later. But I know I succeeded because I believed that I would," said Sonu who flew back today itself to attend his recording schedule in New Delhi tomorrow
