SONU NIGAM

Sonu Nigam born on 30th July, is a Leo, one who is just what he looks like-sincere and charming, and has a great sense of humour. He is the only son of Agam Kumar Nigam, a popular singer in North India. Ever since he was a child, Sonu heard the strings of music ringing through the house. No wonder he developed a liking for music early on. He was born in Faridabad and brought up in Delhi, where he studied till the 12th. He then moved to Bombay where he studied in college, via correspondence, because his struggle for work, that is to become a singer, had already begun by then. Though he would go to Delhi regularly, for his career he had to come to Bombay all the time, leading to his studies taking a back seat. Sonu didn't find the going easy. He got some work, but it was nothing to write much about. Nobody was willing to take this 17-and-a-half-year-old lad too seriously. Till he met the late Gulshan Kumar of T-series. When he was 18, he had his first hit song with 'Aacha Sila Diya Tune Mere Pyar'. He was only 19 years old at that time. That's when things really took off for him. He has been performing on stage since March 1977. It's been 22 years now since he has been singing. He was three years old when he started singing.

He is also a host in ZEE T.V.'s show - 'Sa Re Ga Ma'- it's No. 1 today. So as far as his role goes, he is very secure. And in the last year, 20 to 25 film songs have become super duper hits. 'Taal','Sangharsh','Haseena Maan Jayegi','Dil Se', 'Pardes', 'Aur Pyar Ho Gaya', 'Border', 'Major Saab', 'Jeans','Refugee','Dulhan Hum Le Jayenge','Hadh Kar Di Apne','Jungle','Joru Ka Gulam'- are only to name a few. All his songs have hit the jackpot. 'Sapne Ki Baat' was his first Pop album. Then he did 'Kismet' which hit all channels with a bang of 'TU...' and then 'Sanskar', which was a classical Bhajan album. 'Sanskar'was more an experimental attempt. His album 'Deewana' is worth mentioning as it was his greatest hit. Deewana did business in crores. His latest album is 'Jaan' which has songs similar to Deewana, but are more mellowed down. Recently, he did a concert in Delhi on 14 February 2000 and the concert was given the name'Jaan'. He also composed music for a singer Babul Supriyo. He got the Zee Cine award for 'Sandesay Aate Hain'. There was a time he was rushing about singing as many as 30 songs a day, trying to earn a living. His mode of traansport in those days was a scooter. Today, Sonu sings about one song a day and owns four cars. Now, he has come so far that he is the heart throb of almost everyone and is the - 'GOLDEN BOY OF INDIPOP'. A good news for all Sonu Nigam fans, Sonu is nowadays busy reading the scripts of movies. Are you amazed! yes, Sonu Nigam is taking up acting along with playback singing.All set to act! We could see it coming for a while now. The attitude and the tantrums were oh-so typical of a rising superstar. And so, singer Sonu Nigam is now "seriously considering a career in films." Yes, Nigam has been "reading scripts for a while now" and pretty soon there would be an announcement. He has got an offer of 16 movies but,had not signed any till now. But,signed one movie with Kareena Kapoor hopefully. Does that explain why he's been sporting natty designer labels and acting like a wannbe dude in his sleek music videos? "Music videos are an important means to lure potential music buyers. You have to package yourself well so that the album gets noticed. Of course, the feelers that I'm getting for film roles could be because of the music videos," he magnanimously admits. "As long as I deliver hits and do my job with all my heart, I'll get appreciation." His dream? "To be a legend like Rafi-saab!". That is quite a dream!

We should all wish him success in his new venture.
Sonu is not one to be swept away by the glory of it all. He's quite a loner in his personal life, preferring to spend time at home, rather than attending parties and mahurats.Sonu spends a lot of time travelling abroad and doing concerts, but he hardly does any in Bombay. "Yes, this is something my father advised me -- that I shouldn't end up becoming a stage artiste here because that kind of exposure would not help me. I realise the wisdom of that. I have concerts in Delhi, but I don?t do live shows in Bombay, the hub of the playback industry," he explains. Does he ever regret not having been trained? "I've done most of my playback singing as an untrained singer, but I have started training under Ghulam Mustafa Khan," he reveals. "He was a judge at Sa Re Ga Ma and I realised it would be helpful to learn. So I've started training with him. He has helped me fine-tune my singing. I also realised that the contestants who participate in my show are all trained singers and that they're very good. These are the singers who will be my competition, so I better gear up to compete with them!"

Sonu is not known to be a person who enjoys socialising with film folks. "I do my work and come home. I have my own friends and two lovely sisters whom I adore. We spend time together at home, friends come over or we go over to their places, but we keep away from partying. I don?t understand or like that culture," he stresses. What strikes you is this young man's emphatic opinions and clear-cut priorities. His work is important, but not at the expense of his dignity. He doesn't baulk at calling a spade a spade. And he lives life by his own rules.