Sonu Nigam is talented Indian playback singer, dubbing artist, music director and actor. The Media has described him as one of the best, most popular and prominent playback singers in Hindi and Kannada cinema.
He has sung in many languages and genres, and has also released pop albums and devotional albums.
He has received many awards and honors, including the Padma Shri, the fourth-highest civilian award in India, in 2022.
Sonu Nigam Early Life and Education
Sonu Nigam was born on 30 July 1973 in Faridabad, Haryana, to Agam Kumar Nigam and Shobha Nigam. His father was a singer and his mother was from Garhwal. He has two sisters, Meenal and Teesha, who are also singers.
He started singing at the age of four, when he joined his father on stage to sing Mohammad Rafi’s song “Kya Hua Tera Wada”.
He moved to Mumbai with his father to pursue his Bollywood singing career at the age of 19. He was trained by Hindustani classical singer Ustad Ghulam Mustafa Khan.
He completed his schooling from J.D. Tyler School, Delhi, and graduated from the University of Delhi, New Delhi. He also holds a B.Tech degree in Electrical Engineering from NIT Silchar.
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Sonu Nigam Career
Sonu Nigam started singing at the age of four, when he joined his father on stage to sing Mohammad Rafi’s song “Kya Hua Tera Wada”.
He made his debut as a playback singer in 1990 with the film Janam, but the film was shelved. His first released song was “O Aasman Wale” from the film Aaja Meri Jaan (1993).
He rose to fame with the song “Sandese Aate Hai” from the film Border (1997), which won him his first Filmfare Award nomination. He also sang the title track of the film Pardes (1997), which was a huge hit.
He collaborated with composer A.R. Rahman for many songs, such as “Satrangi Re” from Dil Se.. (1998), “Taal Se Taal” from Taal (1999), “Saathiya” from Saathiya (2002), and “Chanda Re” from Sapnay (1997). He won his first Filmfare Award for Best Male Playback Singer for “Saathiya”.
Sonu Nigam sang the title track of the film Kal Ho Naa Ho (2003), which was composed by Shankar-Ehsaan-Loy. The song became a huge success and won him the National Film Award and the Filmfare Award for Best Male Playback Singer.
He also ventured into music direction and composed the music for films like Sooper Se Ooper (2013), Jal (2014), and Singh Saab the Great (2013). He also sang and composed the song “Abhi Mujh Mein Kahin” for the film Agneepath (2012), which was nominated for the Filmfare Award for Best Male Playback Singer.
Sonu Nigam also acted in some films, such as Jaani Dushman: Ek Anokhi Kahani (2002), Love in Nepal (2004), and Kash Aap Hamare Hote (2003). He also dubbed for the Hindi version of Hollywood films like Aladdin (2019), The Lion King (2019), and Rio (2011).
He has also released several non-film albums, such as Deewana (1999), Yaad (2001), Chanda Ki Doli (2005), and Classically Mild (2008). He has also sung devotional songs in Hindu and Islamic albums, such as Shiv Mahima (1992), Sai Baba (1999), and Mohammad Ke Dar Par (1992). He has also released some Buddhist albums, such as Buddha Hi Buddha Hai (2007) and The Buddha (2010).
Sonu Nigam Awards
Sonu Nigam has won many awards and honors for his contribution to the Indian music industry. Some of his major awards are:
Padma Shri: He received the fourth-highest civilian award in India in 2022 from the Government of India.
National Film Award for Best Male Playback Singer: He won this award in 2003 for the song “Kal Ho Naa Ho” from the film Kal Ho Naa Ho.
Filmfare Awards: He has won four Filmfare Awards for Best Male Playback Singer for the songs “Saathiya” from Saathiya (2002), “Kal Ho Naa Ho” from Kal Ho Naa Ho (2003), “Panchhi Nadiya” from Refugee (2000), and “Tanhai” from Dil Chahta Hai (2001). He has also won two Filmfare Awards for Best Male Playback Singer – Kannada for the songs “Ninnindale” from Milana (2007) and “Eenagali Mundhe Saagu” from Mussanjemaatu (2008).
IIFA Awards: He has won four IIFA Awards for Best Male Playback Singer for the songs “All Izz Well” from 3 Idiots (2009), “Abhi Mujh Mein Kahin” from Agneepath (2012), “Kal Ho Naa Ho” from Kal Ho Naa Ho (2003), and “Taal Se Taal” from Taal (1999).
Zee Cine Awards: He has won two Zee Cine Awards for Best Playback Singer – Male for the songs “Abhi Mujh Mein Kahin” from Agneepath (2012) and “Suraj Hua Maddham” from Kabhi Khushi Kabhie Gham (2001).
Mirchi Music Awards: He has won three Mirchi Music Awards for Male Vocalist of the Year for the songs “Abhi Mujh Mein Kahin” from Agneepath (2012), “Hans Mat Pagli” from Toilet: Ek Prem Katha (2017), and “Shukriya” from Sadak 2 (2020).
Indian Telly Awards: He has won two Indian Telly Awards for Best Singer for the TV shows Dill Mill Gayye (2009) and Kumkum (2008).
ITA Award for Best Judge Panel: He won this award in 2012 for being a judge on the reality show X Factor India.
Sonu Nigam Personal Life
Sonu Nigam is married to Madhurima Nigam, who is an actress and a radio jockey. They have a son named Nevaan Nigam, who is also a singer.
Sonu Nigam and Madhurima Nigam met on 24 December 1995 and got married on 15 February 2002 after seven years of dating. They had some issues in their marital life in 2015, but they resolved them and are living happily together.
Sonu Nigam Net Worth
Sonu Nigam has a net worth of $50 million dollars. He owns a luxury bungalow in Dubai, a Range Rover, a Mercedes-Benz, and other cars.
Sonu Nigam Social Media Handles
- Facebook: Sonu Nigam
- Instagram: @sonunigamofficial
- YouTube: Sonu Nigam
