One of the greatest and most versatile singers of modern time, Sonu Nigam is also a music director and actor known for his beautiful voice, impresive range and emotional depth. His vocal range spans romantic ballads, classical, devotional, and pop songs in over 32 languages. With a career exceeding three decades, he has recorded over 6,000 songs, earning accolades like the Padma Shri and National Film Award.
Early Life and Career
Sonu Nigam was born on July 30, 1973, in Faridabad, Haryana, India. His father, Agam Kumar Nigam, a singer from Agra, performed at weddings and events. His mother, Shobha Nigam, from Garhwal, was also a singer. Sonu has two younger sisters, Meenal and Neekita (Teesha), the latter a playback singer. Sonu’s exposure to music began early, influenced by his parents’ singing. At age three, he joined his father on stage, performing Mohammed Rafi’s Kya Hua Tera Vaada. His father’s lack of ambition motivated Sonu to pursue a professional music career.
Sonu attended J.D. Tytler School in Delhi until Class 12. He later pursued a bachelor’s degree through correspondence from the University of Delhi. Academic pursuits took a backseat to his early music career. His focus shifted to Mumbai at 17 to chase singing opportunities.
Sonu In Films
Sonu trained under Hindustani classical singer Ustad Ghulam Mustafa Khan in Mumbai. His father provided initial guidance, teaching him Rafi’s songs. Early stage performances at weddings honed his skills. He developed a versatile vocal style, mastering genres from ghazals to pop. His training emphasized emotional depth and technical precision, drawing comparisons to Mohammed Rafi.
Sonu began singing at age three, performing with his father at events. At 10, he debuted as a child actor, playing young Shatrughan Sinha in Taqdeer (1983). He appeared in films like Betaab (1983) and Kaamchor (1982) as a child artist. In 1990, at 17, he moved to Mumbai. He sang cover versions of Rafi’s songs and radio jingles to sustain himself. His first playback song, for Janam (1990), went unreleased. In 1993, he sang O Aasman Wale for Aaja Meri Jaan (1993), arranged by Usha Khanna and Amar Utpal.
One of his most memorable early songs was “Agar asmaan Tak Mere Hath Jaate,” in Mehrbaan (1993) under Dilip Sen and Sameer Sen. The songs “Accha Sila Diya (Bewafa Sanam, 1995)” and “Abhi Saans Lene Ki Fursat Nahin Hai (Jeet, 1996)” became massive hits, establishing him as a playback singer. Hosting Sa Re Ga Ma (1995–1999) on Zee TV increased his visibility, connecting him with industry stalwarts.
Sonu The Other Name of Versatility
The year 1997 was his breakthrough year when he sang “Sandese Aate Hain” (Border, 1997) ” “Yeh Dil Deewana (Pardes, 1997).” These songs established him as the top singer in the industry. They also broke his Rafi-clone image. There is no looking back from here; for the next 15 years, he was numero uno of the playback singers and sang almost every type of song.
From Shabba Shabba (Daud) and Satrangi Re (Dil Se…) to Ishq Bina (Taal), Panchhi Nadiya (Refugee), and Tanhayee (Dil Chahta Hai ). Be it Suraj Hua Maddham (Kabhi Khushi Kabhie Gham), Saathiya (Saathiya), or Kal Ho Naa Ho (Kal Ho Naa Ho), Sonu was the only answer to every song that needed the emotional depth of an ocean.
Some of his most memorable early songs include “Aasman Kehta Hai Rab Se (Mast),” “Dil Ka Qaraar Ho Gaya,” “Mujhe Raat Din” (Sangharsh), Zindagi Maut Na Ban Jaye (Sarfarosh), “Meri Duniya Hai Tujh Mein Kahin (Vaastav: The Reality),” “Khamoshiyan Gungunane Lagi (One 2 Ka 4),” “Kambakht Ishq Hai Jo (Pyaar Tune Kya Kiya),” “Aisa Lagta Hai,” “Mere Humsafar” (Refugee), “Banke Tera Jogi (Phir Bhi Dil Hai Hindustani),” “Kismat Se Tum Hum Ko Mile Ho (Pukar),” “Rehnaa Hai Terre Dil Mein (Rehnaa Hai Terre Dil Mein),” “Sarfaroshi Ki Tamanna,” “Mera Rang De Basanti Chola” (The Legend Of Bhagat Singh), and many more.
In 2004 he sang the philosophical Kal Ho Naa Ho, composed by Shankar-Ehsaan-Loy, which became a cultural milestone. Sonu’s heartfelt rendition earned a National Film Award and a Filmfare Award for Best Playback Singer.
The Singer For All Seasons
In his career of over 3 decades, Sonu sang over 6,000 songs across 32+ languages, including Hindi, Kannada, Tamil, Telugu, Bengali, Punjabi, Marathi, Urdu, and English among others
Some of his other songs include “Main Hoon Na (Main Hoon Na),” “Do Pal,” “Kyon Hawa (Veer Zaara),” “Dheere Jalna (Paheli),” Piyu Bole,” “Soona Mann Ka Aangan” (Parineeta), Mere Haath Mein Tera Haath Ho (Fanaa), “Humko Maaloom Hai” “Sau Dard” (Jaan-E-Mann), Kabhi Alvida Naa Kehna (Kabhi Alvida Naa Kehna), Pal Pal Har Pal (Lage Raho Munna Bhai), “Main Agar Kahoon (Om Shanti Om),” “Hai Guzarish (Ghajini),” “In Lamhon Ke Daaman Mein (Jodhaa Akbar),” “Aal Izz Well,” “Jaane Nahin Denge Tujhe” (3 Idiots), “Chori Kiya Re Jiya (Dabangg),” “Tees Maar Khan (Tees Maar Khan, 54 voices),” “Abhi Mujh Mein Kahin (Agneepath),” “Saanson Ne (Dabangg 2),” “Bhagwan Hai Kahan Re Tu,” “Love Is a Waste of Time” (PK), and many more.
In 1998 he released his first independent album, Kismat (1998), which has the famous song “Tu, kab Ye Janegi.” He continue to churn out hit albums like Deewana (1999), Jaan (2000), Mausam (2000), Yaad (2001), Chanda Ki Doli (2005), Classically Mild (2008), Crazy Dil (2016), First Date (2016) and Rudhrashtakam (2020).
Sonu also collaborated with many international artists, including Britney Spears (I Wanna Go remix, 2011), DJ Avicii (Indian Levels, 2012), and Jermaine Jackson (This Is It, 2011). He sang with Australian singer Kylie Minogue for the Hindi film “Blue.”
Sonu Nigam vs Music Companies
Sonu Nigam’s disputes with music companies, particularly T-Series and Zee Music, emerged prominently between 2012 and 2015. He publicly criticized the monopolistic control of these companies over the Indian music industry. Nigam highlighted their practice of prioritizing certain artists and sidelining others, including himself. He also opposed unfair contracts that denied singers royalties and creative control.
Several of Nigam’s recorded songs for films like Kick, Heartless, Ishq Forever, and Heropanti were redubbed by other singers. Music companies cited his advocacy for singers’ royalties and refusal to sign restrictive contracts as reasons. Nigam described this as “humiliating,” noting that companies forced multiple singers to record the same song, only to discard some versions. Nigam alleged Zee Music banned him after he supported poet Kumar Vishwas in a tweet. This led to reduced work opportunities with the label.
In 2020, Nigam released a vlog addressing the “music mafia,” alleging that two major companies dictated who could sing in films, stifling new talent. He claimed directors and composers wanted to work with him, but music companies blocked opportunities due to his refusal to comply with their terms. Nigam’s directly named T-Series CEO Bhushan Kumar, urging him to stop controlling artists’ careers. He warned that the industry’s practices could drive artists to extreme measures, referencing Sushant Singh Rajput’s suicide.
Later Work and Personal Life
After his film career came to a standstill, Nigam focused on non-film music, releasing singles and independent albums. He launched his own music label, I Believe Music, in 2020, starting with the track Rudhrashtakam. This allowed him greater creative control. He also gave music to small films like Sooper Se Ooper (2013), Singh Saab The Great (2013), Jal (2014), and Half Widow (2017).
Nigam expanded his global presence, performing in tours like Simply Sonu (2007, Canada and Germany), The Explosion (2009, US), and All Izz Well (2010, UK). Collaborations with international artists like Britney Spears (I Wanna Go remix, 2011) and DJ Avicii (Indian Levels, 2012) sustained his relevance.
Nigam became Patron-in-Chief and Faculty Head at Artium Academy, mentoring aspiring singers. He conducted masterclasses, leveraging his experience to guide new talent.
Sonu married Madhurima Banerjee on February 15, 2002, after a long-term relationship. They have a son, Nevaan, born on July 25, 2007.
Sonu Nigam on IMDB
