EXCLUSIVE: “I had sung ‘Subhanallah’ song and it was not kept in the film” – Sonu Nigam on why he agreed to sing for Pritam in Aamir Khan’s Laal Singh Chaddha after Yeh Jawaani Hai Deewani

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By Bollywood Hungama News Network -

February 4, 2022 - 4:47 PM IST

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. While the singer has been away from the film industry and hasn’t crooned a song in a while, he is marking his return this year with Aamir Khan starrer Laal Singh Chaddha. The music composition for the same has been done by Pritam, for whom Nigam had crooned previously as well.

EXCLUSIVE: “I had sung ‘Subhanallah’ song and it was not kept in the film” – Sonu Nigam on why he agreed to sing for Pritam in Aamir Khan’s Laal Singh Chaddha after Yeh Jawaani Hai Deewani

In an exclusive interview with Bollywood Hungama, Sonu Nigam recalled how he eventually agreed to do the song when his previous song for Pritam wasn’t kept in the film. For unversed, the singer had crooned ‘Subhanallah’ for Yeh Jawaani Hai Deewani which was later given to singer Sreerama Chandra. “So, on a video call, Pritam spoke to me very nicely saying ‘Listen Sonu, you are very special to me. I have very special connection with you since you sang in my debut. You were a part of it. I have a lot of respect for you’,” Sonu Nigam said.

Adding further, he said, “Pritam told me ‘I would only ask you to croon a song when I know no one can sing again it besides you.’ This was Aamir Khan’s decision that this song will be sung by Sonu Nigam. So, when the producer and star has said it already, then it won’t be like ‘We will make Sonu sing and then compare with someone else’. Pritam spoke to me so nicely and I really respect that. He told me that ‘I don’t call or inform you for a song because I know that 8 more singers will croon the song. And what if, your song is not selected?’”

Recalling the incident with Yeh Jawaani Hai Deewani, Sonu Nigam continued, “I had sung ‘Subhanallah’ for Pritam and when it was not kept in the film; I simply told him ‘Do not ask me to sing again’! I think I had sung that song really well. But, that song was in Sreerama Chandra’s destiny, so he got it. It was okay with me.

Sonu Nigam has previously also clarified that he would not like to sing for films where more singers are being also tried for the same song. “I never have had an issue with any singer singing songs,” he said, “I never asked for the song, right? Did I say ‘Please, give me the song?’ Have I asked that ‘Please, call me or try me?’ No, because if people, who are my well-wishers, get to know that ‘Sonu Nigam is a beggar. He acts like a King in front of everyone but actually he is a beggar. He begs [for songs] from people that – please give me a song in this film etc.’ So, how would you feel?”

Adding to that, Nigam said, “You should be proud of me that I do my work and I do my work with dignity. I am not an insecure man. I don’t have an unsafe mind like ‘What will happen now?’ God has given me so much, and god still continues to give me so much till now. I am still doing shows and my songs are being praised. Who gets to have 30 year career? People say sometimes ‘You sing exactly like how you used to sing 25 years ago’. God has given us so much. If I become insecure about it, I don’t think it will be good for my well-wishers also. That is why I say that I will only sing a song, if I am clear that it will be my song. It doesn’t happen. Everyone wants to sing their own songs. If I were to be a composer, I would have wanted to sing my own songs as well. If I sing my own songs, I will get shows. Who wouldn’t want to have shows? Who wouldn’t want that more money comes in their house? I can’t complain. I am not a composer. It is my fault because I should have invested my time in composing. But, I invest my time in practicing songs. Every person can’t do everything. If I compose songs and sell it, who will rehearse? My department is to sing and I have to sharpen it. So, the work that will come my way will be good and accordingly to my work.”

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.