Biography
Who is Sonu Nigam?
Early life and background
Sonu Nigam was born on July 30, 1973, in the city of Faridabad in Haryana, India. His father, Agam Kumar Nigam, was a singer who performed at weddings and parties, and his mother was named Shobha Nigam. He grew up alongside his sisters, Meenal and Teesha. His family background deeply influenced his early exposure to music.
At the young age of four, Sonu joined his father on stage to sing a track originally performed by Mohammed Rafi. He accompanied his father to various musical events during his childhood. Eventually, he moved to Mumbai with his father to pursue a professional career in the film industry.
Musical career and rise to fame
Sonu began his playback singing career in the early 1990s. He gained wide recognition after singing tracks for television serials and films such as Talash and Bewafa Sanam. His soulful rendition of the song Sandese Aate Hai from the film Border brought him big mainstream attention. Throughout his career, he has recorded thousands of songs in over thirty different languages.
As his career progressed, Sonu delivered memorable hits for major Bollywood films. His performance of the title track for Kal Ho Naa Ho earned him prestigious accolades, including a National Film Award and a Filmfare Award. He also released several non-film albums and tribute projects dedicated to his musical idol, Mohammed Rafi.
Television and international work
Beyond film studios and concert stages, Sonu established a strong presence on television as a host and judge. He hosted the popular music show Sa Re Ga Ma Pa starting in 1995, which helped make him widely known across India. He later returned to television as a judge and mentor for various other singing reality competitions.
Sonu has also collaborated with several international artists throughout his career. He worked on a remix with Britney Spears and partnered with Jermaine Jackson on a musical tribute to Michael Jackson. His global appeal allowed him to perform major live concerts across North America, Africa, Asia, Australia, and the Middle East.
Personal life and awards
Sonu married Madhurima Mishra on February 15, 2002, and the couple has a son together. He has occasionally altered the spelling of his name for personal numerological reasons before returning to his birth name. He identifies as Hindu and remains deeply connected to his musical roots.
His contributions to the arts have been recognized with numerous honours. The Indian government awarded him the Padma Shri, which is the country's fourth highest civilian honour. He has also received multiple Filmfare Awards, IIFA Awards, and recognition on international music charts.
Birthday and age
Sonu Nigam was born on July 30, 1973, which makes Sonu 53 years old today. That birthday falls under the Leo sign. Sonu shares the date with 49 other famous people.
Explore more
