Sonu Nigam hasn’t aged, neither his voice nor his looks. But he’s grown up. He astutely claims to have “found” himself. Full of gratitude to the Paramatma for its many achievements, Sonu also has a bizarre side and shares: “I have several characters in me. Sometimes they come out when I’m in a zone. “
Sonu has lent his voice to every great lead actor of the new millennium – in the chartbusters from Sandese Aate Hai in the 1990s to Abhi Mujh Mein Kahin in the 2010s – but he has a particularly fruitful, if fortuitous, partnership with Shah Rukh Khan in a number of memorable songs like Yeh Dil Deewana, Satrangi Re, Suraj Hua Maddham, Main Hoon Na and Kal Ho Na Ho. Lately the singer has become immensely picky; he says, “I’m not going to sing cheap and meaningless songs,” but he is passionate about attending shows. And he keeps his finger on the pulse and claims: “I love to research and process information from the Internet.”
Do you like listening to music in the bedroom?
Not me. I usually watch YouTube videos on a myriad of topics. Or I hear Osho.
Which breakfast would you like to have in bed?
Poached eggs and masala tea.
Not that cool thing about being a singer?
Nothing uncool. But I don’t feel comfortable in a noisy place because you have to speak loudly and this puts strain on the vocal cords. I also need to avoid ice so that my throat is okay.
What’s your tip for bathroom singers?
Keep it up.
Any recurring nightmare?
Not really, but I’ve seen my mom and I cry a lot when we hug each other.
Which song is perfect for a dinner date?
Suraj Hua Maddham.
A song that you would court your wife with?
Every song works. I just have to sing.
What do you eat when you raid your fridge at midnight?
Peanut butter and bread.
Do you snore?
I snore when I’m exhausted. But I can’t sleep with a snorer.
Bedside stories
What do you want to keep on your bedside table?
My cell phone, my other phone specifically designed for the taanpura, cell phone chargers, TV remote controls, books, eye drops, AC remote controls, harmonica, and water bottles are some of the things I inevitably keep next to my bed wherever I go.
What do you wear in bed
Boxer shorts and a sleeveless t-shirt.
Who’s your boyfriend at 2 a.m.
Raju Singh, Kailash Chandani, Sanjay Chitale and my cousin Anurag Nigam.
Which side of the bed do you prefer?
The side with a phone charging station.
From HT Brunch, August 22, 2021
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