Sonu so far

Singer Sonu Nigam gyms for his voice, practises on flights and believes in re-inventing himself.

Having come a long way since the time he was given the classical label, his repertoire today straddles several genres. In conversation with Geetha Rao.

The door opens and Sonu Nigam walks in apologising for being late and plonks himself on the sofa. He's all dressed for the show - red blazer, red pants and black shirt, and a black bandanna holding back his hair.

In a freewheeling interview, he talks about his career, shows and what keeps him ticking: I don't practise specifically for a show, but I practise throughout. Not the conventional practice session, not with a tampura.

I don't need one, it's all there in the mind. It could be anywhere, in the car, on the flight. When I'm flying, I ask for a seat with no one else sitting beside me so that I don't disturb others. ( he DISTURB others??? Who wouldn't DIE to sit next to him????)

I don't want to be a nuisance (I manage to get such a seat, that's the advantage of being a celebrity!). And I practise all the techniques, all the voice culture exercises that I've devised. I believe in my own strategy: I keep reinventing, updating, upgrading....

Yes, I have to change my voice to suit the actor.

For Shah Rukh Khan, my voice has to convey virility; with Govinda, there must be energy. For Sunny Deol, it must be macho, serious, I can't do anything frivolous. As for Akshay Kumar, it's a mix, it must be macho combined with romance.

I have been gymmimg for the last six-seven years. I sing, so I must keep my lungs clear; I must have good health, I must be fit, otherwise I'll crash. Your work is a reflection of your mind, they say. I believe in thinking positive.

I have not deliberately changed my image. It's just my way, I have always been like that, the Sa Re Ga Ma image was one side of me, there are so many others that people don't know about and so they think I have been experimenting.

It was a struggle to reach where I have, but I don't want to glorify that. A lot of people have overcome hardship to get where they are. And I don't think my struggle was as bad as my dad's. Also, I think it was destined, a phase.

But if his struggle was harsher, mine was emotional. I'd been a topper, much loved and respected. And here I was in the big bad world of Mumbai, with only my father with me. People insult you ... you can't imagine the kind of goonda gardi that goes on. Today's youngsters are lucky, thanks to talent hunts.

I've always wanted to be financially secure. Not rich rich. If it was only money that mattered, I'd have been six times more well off than I am now. It's easy, I can just do so many more shows.

I wasted some time doing TV, movies. What I mean is, with films, everything depends on other people. Movies are a losing proposition: if the movie doesn't do well, you're blamed.

I don't really care about what people say . I believe I must be good in my own way. I've known crappy people who are looked up to by others because they don't know better. And any way, people believe anything the media says. So I believe in being my own judge.

I try and bring in some freshness into every one of my shows. There's the risk that everything can become mechanical after so many shows.

But I remind myself of my early days, when I was paid Rs 175 per show, and tell myself I can't take the audience for granted. So I keep re-inventing, creating change on stage. And I thank God before every show.


That's deep...really deep...it was nice to read this...i really like his philosophy of life...he seems like such a calm, composed person...lol...and he probably does try his best to add variety to every show and all, and I know it is good of him to do so, considering he does do countless shows, but from the few shows I've watched, ( only one live, but a few on TV and all that) I didnt see a lot of difference except for his appearance (duh) and the sngs(duh too, considering there are always newer songs)...oh well...keep it up Sonu! We're with ya!