Sept 26, 2000 SONU NIGAM : MAKING SA RE GA MA ON THE SILVER SCREEN
Warm innocent eyes, huggable short stature, cute melting smile which warms the face and a down to earth respectful attitude towards all, was what made the this simple singer a phenomenon at the Sa re ga ma show for years! He was noticed, appreciated and applauded. With Border and Sandese aate hain, he saw new heights,
acclaim and awards. But this Rafi-sound alike singer invariably finds himself in the midst of controversies- yet undaunted he surely but steadily carries on to his mission. He sure has come a long way from the time he was first noticed in the television programme, Antakshari as a participant, where he answered all the questions bulls
eye.
But the latest dhamka announcement has been his decision to turn into an actor! A struggling singer to a top crooner to an aspiring actor! A change so drastic - whatever for? I was amazed and went to meet him
armed with my perplexing news and looking for the answers. I sure discovered the simple home truths. Sonu Nigam has already signed TWO movies- One with TIPS and the other with AKASHDEEP At the moment
he is very involved with recording about four songs a day and spending a large chunk of his time working out to keep fit and trying to learn the ropes of acting.
The Sa re ga ma show had become synonymous with Sonu Nigam and it was difficult to imagine one without another. But once the axe was ground, Sonu started receiving film offers every week. Initially stunned, Sonu decided to go ahead and give acting a shot while promising himself that in case he could not cope up he would return the
signing amounts. Till now he has received a whopping number of 48 to 50 film offers and continues to do so - of which some are really interesting! Caught at the crossroads, he was in a fix. Song recordings, at least 3-4in a day, shows, rehearsals, and now films shooting! Phew! How does one take it all? But they say 'when the going
gets tough the tough gets going', so Sonu went right ahead and decided to work harder and slog to make a niche in the acting field. While keeping a firm head on his shoulders that if he could not deliver the goods then he would make a graceful exit.
Sonu is often lambasted and cornered for dubbing songs of another artiste. Singer Hariharan was miffed with him for dubbing his 'Aye chand tujhe 'in 'Tera Jadoo ChalGaya ' Kumar Sanu was also peeved for dubbing his song in 'Refugee'. To such allegations Sonu nonchalantly replies ' the senior singers have shown us this path and
led the way. They have set similar examples for us and today when they are at the receiving end - they are complaining'
Poised to give acting a hand, immersed till ears with singing assignments, shows, and shooting for song videos - where does it leave him time for marriage? "No time right now", he says. However he is waiting for his perfect 10 to step into his life, since he will only have a love marriage. Any Takers? On a happy note of wishing him success in
filmdom and love, which should blossom and consume him in totality, I left him with a heavy heart. He sure is a charming man!!
