On every birthday, I strive to be a better soul, says Sonu Nigam
As Sonu Nigam turns 45 today, he says his only birthday wish is to evolve as a person every year
With hundreds of songs to his credit, singer Sonu Nigam needs no introduction. Besides establishing himself as one of the most prominent singers in Bollywood, Sonu has also churned out chartbusters in the independent music arena. Ahead of his 45th birthday on July 30, we caught up with the singer to talk about his birthday plans, his most cherished birthday memory, his work, and more.
How do you plan to celebrate your birthday this year?
I will celebrate my birthday in Europe; in the Netherlands to be specific. A very famous superstar from Poland called Natalia is coming to Amsterdam to record with me, so probably on my birthday, we will be recording in Amsterdam.
Watch one of Sonu Nigam’s latest songs, ‘Badhiya’ from Sanju
Do you enjoy birthdays?
Yes, I do enjoy birthdays in the sense that more than anything else, its kind of nostalgia for me. I try and spend time with my parents; my mother is no longer alive, but my father is alive of course. So, for me, it is an event, because kitne birthday bache hai ye nahi pata na. So this or any birthday could be the last one. Therefore, I cherish it. Also, I’m very lucky that radio stations go crazy with my songs everywhere. People from across the country visit my house on my birthday. They pamper me, click pictures with me, bring me flowers, gifts, cakes and books. So, I’m a lucky guy.
What is your birthday wish this year?
My birthday wishes are very simple. I just always pray that by the time of my next birthday, I want to be a better soul and a more evolved human being. I think I’ve done a pretty good job with myself; my happiness quotient has been increasing every year. I’ve understood the essence of true happiness and satisfied living. So, that is my only wish.
How do you look back at your journey so far?
My journey has been nothing less than a fairytale, because I’d never even dreamt that my posters would be sold on the footpath. Way back in 1998, if you remember, posters used to be very popular. People used to sit on the footpath selling posters. Today, because of the internet, people don’t need all that. But at that point, people used to buy my posters and I used to see myself being sold alongside the big actors of that time, and it was unbelievable. So, considering where I started and where God has brought me today, it has been very surreal. I sometimes cannot believe my luck.
Any birthday resolutions for this year?
One of my birthday resolutions is to empty my house. My house has become cluttered with so many things that we have accumulated or people have given to us over the past 10 years, and we need to declutter. It’s a simple resolution and I think I can do it. I can probably achieve that in the next two months once I return from my long trip.
What is your best birthday memory?
One of my earliest memories is of the time when my birthday was celebrated for the first and last time. I had turned 10 and my parents chose to celebrate my birthday in Delhi. We had just moved from Bombay at that point. And that’s when, for the first time and last time in my childhood, my birthday was celebrated. So that’s one of my memories.
Has there been a gift that you still remember and hold close to your heart?
I think around 1995, Suresh Wadkar ji had gifted me a tanpura on my birthday. I was so touched, and it was such a beautiful gesture. I can never forget that. Other memories are related to my mother and my father and how my mother used to cook for me; she used to pamper me. I used to go and touch their feet always, and they used to tell me about my childhood, what I used to say, what I used to sing, how I used to do my riyaaz. On my birthdays, they would make it a point to talk about me.
What are you currently busy with, music wise?
Lately, I have sung for a lot of beautiful movies. Another thing that will release next month is a song sung by six singers, including me. The video is smashing and the song is amazing. People have gone crazy after listening to it. Also, there is a song I’ve made on a very beautiful subject, which you will see soon. I cannot say any more about it, but that is something close to my heart.
Also, I’ve just finished shooting for a short film called Spotless. I wasn’t inclined to be in front of the camera as far as non-musical projects are concerned, but this is a cause that is so profound that I could not say no to it. For me, it was more of a tribute rather than featuring in a short film.
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