Sonu Nigam Reacts to Case Against Him, Says He Will Accept Karnataka's Verdict Gracefully

Celebrated singer Sonu Nigam has been at the receiving end of backlash, shortly after a video from his recent concert in Bengaluru went viral. The controversy began when the singer was asked by a fan to sing Kannada songs at the concert. Nigam, allegedly offended by the tone of the fan, compared his behaviour to the recent Pahalgam terror attack in Jammu and Kashmir. His comments have hurt the sentiments of a section of the audience, with a case eventually being booked on Nigam by a pro-Kannada outfit for “inciting language hatred."

The Karnataka Film Chamber of Commerce further said in a press conference that they have decided to cut off all kinds of communication with the singer unless he renders a “public apology,” the publication reported.

“Mr Sonu Nigam will not be invited for any Kannada film-related events. We have written to the police commissioner’s office to not permit any Sonu Nigam concert in Bengaluru,” M Narasimhalu, the chairman of KFCC, said at the conference.

The singer has now responded to the case and the entire controversy in a recent Instagram post. He began the post by stating that he reveres his Kannada songs much more than his songs recorded in any other language. His issue wasn’t with the request, but rather with the “humiliation” he was subjected to, he added.

“I am 51 years old, in the second half of my life and am entitled to take offence for someone as young as my son threatening me directly in front of thousands in the name of language that too Kannada, which is my second language when it comes to my work. That too right after my first song of the concert! He provoked a few more. Their own people were embarrassed and were asking them to shut up.. I told them very politely and lovingly that the show has just started, it's my first song and that I will not let them down, but they have to let me continue with the concert the way I have planned. Every artiste has a song list prepared so the musicians and technicians are in sync. But they were hell bent on creating a ruckus and threatening me wildly. Tell me who is at fault?” his statement read. 

Nigam added that he had to school them, and added that he would accept and respect the verdict of the people of Karnataka.

“The matter got over, and I sang in Kannada for more than an hour. It's all there on social media.. I leave it up to the sensible people of Karnataka to decide who is at fault here. I will accept your verdict gracefully,” he wrote in the note, adding that he has received divine love from Karnataka, and that he would cherish it irrespective of the verdict.