Sonu Nigam issues an apology for his Kannada remark amid backlash, writes, "My Love for you is bigger than my Ego'

Sonu Nigam issued an apology amid Kannada row

Singer and songwriter Sonu Nigam is currently entangled in controversy following his remark during his recent Bengaluru concert. The singer released an official statement addressing the matter and explaining the situation following the brutal backlash over his comment.

Despite the clarification, the backlash continued, leading to the singer releasing an official apology. Sonu Nigam took to his Instagram and issued an apology. He told his fans that his love for Karnataka is not bigger than his ego.

He shared a photo with a grey background and black text on Instagram that reads, “Sorry Karnataka. My Love for you is bigger than my Ego. Love you always.” He penned the same in his caption.

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Sonu Nigam (@sonunigamofficial)

He also revealed in his statement that he holds Kannada songs in high regard, even more than his Hindi ones. He further noted that he prepares over an hour's worth of Kannada songs for his concerts in Karnataka.

However, the singer claimed that he was humiliated by a fan and threatened by an individual young enough to be his son during a recent concert.

He said, “The best songs I have sung are in Kannada... I didn’t like it when a boy asked me to sing in Kannada. He was so rudely threatening, ‘Kannada, Kannada.’ This is the reason for the Pahalgam attack.”

The controversy sparked during Sonu Nigam’s April 25 concert held at East Point College of Engineering in Avalahalli. A video from the concert has gone viral on social media in which the singer can be seen refusing to perform a Kannada song upon a fan’s request and referencing the Pahalgam terror attack during his response.

Also Read: Karnataka Film Chamber boycotts Sonu Nigam over Pahalgam remark, demands apology

The singer faced some serious consequences as the Bengaluru District Police issued a notice to Sonu Nigam, asking him to appear within a week in connection with an FIR filed against him for allegedly hurting the Kannadiga community.

Additionally, the Karnataka Film Chamber of Commerce has banned Sonu Nigam from working with the Kannada film industry.

During a recent press conference, Dharma Vish, General Secretary of the Karnataka Film Musicians Association, said, "It’s not about his talent. He is one of the best India and Kannada have seen, but comparing people from a state to terrorists is deeply damaging. His so-called apology on Facebook didn’t seem genuine."

He added, "The industry has decided on non-cooperation until a real apology is made." He also stated that while performers may face pressure on stage, Sonu Nigam could have handled the situation more calmly.

Also Read: Sonu Nigam reacts after FIR and backlash over Kannada concert controversy: I am not a young lad to take humiliation...

He further noted, “Kannadigas truly love him. Some express their love softly, others more aggressively. That must have been what happened. But his reaction was unfortunate."

The Karnataka Film Chamber's president said the entire state would not cooperate with Sonu Nigam, effectively banning him, and that Sonu should apologize unconditionally to the people of Karnataka.