EXCLUSIVE: “Don’t you think it is too late in the day to give me Padma Shri?” – this was Sonu Nigam’s first reaction

One of the finest singers in the industry Sonu Nigam will be conferred with Padma Shri. The announcement for the same was made on January 25, ahead of Republic Day 2022 celebrations. Being one of the finest singers of all time and almost over a three decade career, Nigam is very much self-aware that this accolade has come far too late in his extensive career.

 

EXCLUSIVE: “Don’t you think it is too late in the day to give me Padma Shri?” – this was Sonu Nigam’s first reaction

 

Recalling the same, Sonu Nigam told Bollywood Hungama how exactly he was informed about the Padma Shri honour and how he was hesitant to accept it at this juncture of his career. “When I got a call, I was told that ‘The Government of India has conferred upon the Padma Shri to you. Do you accept it?’ They ask you like this,” he said, adding “I had this in my mind that if I ever get a call, I would say this – ‘Don’t you think it is too late in the day to give me Padma Shri?’ I said that you all have given people who came 15 years after me, Padma Shri, 5 years before me already.”

 

Sonu Nigam said though the person who called from Ministry of Affairs told him that it was too late, they wanted to acknowledge his work and confer this honour. “I said that ‘You guys are giving me Padma Shri now? You guys have been teasing me for a long time. We are also human beings and we also get lured by these temptations. Is there a person who would be felicitated with an award and would not like it? Those who don’t get it, only they say it like that. It’s a good feeling to be given acclamation and recognition at the right time. Justice given late isn’t called justice. So I said, ‘ I won’t be able to accept this award’,” Sonu Nigam said.

 

The ‘Kal Ho Na Ho’ singer said that while it was too late to accept it, he did acknowledge that no amount of lobbying went into this and it came to him naturally. “I said this is too late. You are giving Padma Shri to me now. I am past that stage of expecting and I have stopped looking in that direction already. I spoke to him for like 10 minutes. Then, I said let me call my father and I will give you a call back in 5 minutes. I kept the call and the shot had begun but I wasn’t even attentive. My whole attention was ‘What should I tell him?’ Then suddenly I realized I did not even lobby for this; this came to me. This is something that has come to me from universe. For such awards, a lot of lobbying is done. A few people have done this for me as well previously, two or three times. I kept telling them that if I get Padma Shri this way, I wouldn’t be able to enjoy it,” he said.

 

Furthermore, he said, “I simply said that if it doesn’t come naturally to me, I don’t want it. There were so many well-wishers who often said that ‘You don’t do anything, we will get it done’. But, it never happened at that time. I am glad it didn’t happen before. Now, it has happened and that’s why I am able to enjoy it because it came organically. I am also aware who nominated my name as well. He is a legendary classical singer. I will ask him one day if I can tell his name publicly or not someday. Everything has happened so beautifully because a musical authority nominated by name that ‘You should give it to him because it’s been far too late’.”

 

Being one of the most popular playback singers of all time, Sonu Nigam has received several accolades in his vast career spanning over three decades, including a National Film Award, two Filmfare Awards and two Filmfare Awards – South. This year, he has been conferred by the Government of India with Padma Shri, the country's fourth-highest civilian honour for his contribution in the field of arts.

 

Also Read: Sonu Nigam, Chandraprakash Dwivedi, Victor Banerjee among others awarded at Padma Awards 2022 

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