Sonu Nigam (born 30 July 1973) is an Indian singer, one of the most versatile and popular playback voices of the last three decades. He first became known as the young host of the TV show Sa Re Ga Ma. He rose to fame in the late 1990s with songs such as “Sandese Aate Hai” and the album Deewana. He has recorded thousands of songs in more than 30 languages, won a National Film Award and received the Padma Shri.
Quick Facts
| Full name | Sonu Nigam |
| Born | 30 July 1973, Faridabad, Haryana, India |
| Age | 53 |
| Profession | Singer, composer, TV host, actor |
| Father | Agam Kumar Nigam (singer) |
| Spouse | Madhurima Nigam (m. 2002) |
| Child | Nevaan Nigam |
| Honours | Padma Shri (2022); National Film Award for “Kal Ho Naa Ho” |
Early Life
Sonu was born in Faridabad and grew up in Delhi. His father, Agam Kumar Nigam, was a stage singer, and Sonu began performing with him at weddings and parties at the age of four, often singing songs by his idol, Mohammed Rafi. At 19 he moved to Mumbai with his father to try his luck in the film industry.
Career
After a period of struggle, Sonu became the host of the singing show Sa Re Ga Ma in 1995, which made him a familiar face across India. His film break came with “Achcha Sila Diya” and then “Sandese Aate Hai” from Border (1997), a patriotic song that became an anthem.
His 1999 pop album Deewana was a massive hit. Through the 2000s he became one of the leading voices in Bollywood with songs such as “Suraj Hua Maddham”, “Kal Ho Naa Ho”, “Main Hoon Na”, “Abhi Mujh Mein Kahin” and “Tumse Milke Dil Ka”. He won the National Film Award for Best Male Playback Singer for the title song of Kal Ho Naa Ho (2003), which he sang for Shah Rukh Khan.
Sonu has sung in Kannada, Bengali, Odia, Tamil, Telugu, Punjabi, Marathi and many other languages, and he has judged several singing shows including Indian Idol. He also runs his own label and continues to tour worldwide.
Personal Life
Sonu married Madhurima Mishra in 2002, and their son, Nevaan, was born in 2007. Known for speaking his mind, he has at times made headlines for his outspoken views on the music industry.
Awards and Honours
Popular Songs
Frequently Asked Questions
When and where was Sonu Nigam born?
Sonu Nigam was born on 30 July 1973 in Faridabad, Haryana, India.
What honours has Sonu Nigam received?
Padma Shri (2022); National Film Award for “Kal Ho Naa Ho”.
