Music is a part not my entire life’

‘Music is a part not my entire life’


Be it the warmth of Sonu Niigaam’s voice or his gestures, his charm never ceases to fade. An accomplished artiste in himself and an insipration for many budding singers, Sonu’s finally back on the scene after a two-year-long break from Bollywood music industry. Of this and more, he gets candid in an interview with us...

We haven’t been hearing you much. Any particular reason for keeping a low profile?
I have been in America for the last two years and was busy doing concerts, making friends etc. Actually I wanted to seclude myself from the world to analyse my life and many other things. I didn’t want to repeat things that I have been doing for the past 15 years. This, in the process has helped me in taking filtered work. Now I work for only those with whom I gel.

How has music helped you grow?
Music is a part of life; it’s not my entire life. I am not a clichéd singer who would say ‘I can't live without music.’ There are different faculties that I invest my time into like reading, dancing, playing percussion, yoga and a lot more. Being very specific, ‘Music is an expression of my hardwork.’

Tell us about your new projects?
I have done a song for Aditya Chopra’s SRK starrer upcoming film. Actually Aditya wanted a voice who could give shades of five great actors of yesteryears – Raj Kapoor, Dev Anand, Rishi Kapoor, Rajesh Khanna and Shammi Kapoor. It’s a cult song. Apart from this I am working with Sajid-Wajid, AR Rahman, Vashu Bhagnani and others.

What more apart from singing?
I have been reading scripts for many movies. My last performance in Kash... Aap Humare Hote was appreciated, so now I am being careful about selecting movies. Besides that, every week I get at least two offers from music channels but I don't want to do shows which aim at insulting the contestants and creating controversies.


Do you think global financial crisis will affect music fraternity and the singers?
In India, singers earn only by way of concerts and shows. So obviously, if these shows get affected, it will impact singers and music fraternity too.
There was a controversy about a journalist sending you gay messages and asking for private time. You held a press conference but then later refused to talk about it. Why?
It was the right thing to do at that time. I didn’t want to dwell on it anymore, and it's not such an important part of my life. That journalist behaved like a child and I just tried curbing it. I don’t have any grudge against him; I hope he doesn’t have it either.

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