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

In response to the uproar, Sonu Nigam has issued an official statement via Instagram, clarifying his position and expressing his longstanding love and respect for Karnataka and its people.

“Namaskara  I have given unprecedented love to the language, the culture, the music, the musicians, the state and the people not just when I am in Karnataka but anywhere else in the world. Infact I have revered my Kannada songs way more than my songs in other languages including Hindi. There are 100s of videos circulating on social media as a testimony. I have more than hour of Kannada songs that I prepare for every concert when in Karnataka.”

The singer, who is 51, shared his disappointment at being threatened publicly at the concert, saying, “However, I am not a young lad to take humiliation from anyone. I am 51 years old, in the second half of my life and am entitled to take offence for someone as young as my son threatening me directly in front of thousands in the name of language that too Kannada which is my second language when it comes to my work.”

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A post shared by Sonu Nigam (@sonunigamofficial)

He added that the disruption occurred just after his first song and noted, “I told them very politely and lovingly the show has just started, it's my first song and that I will not let them down, but they have to let me continue with the concert the way I have planned... But they were hell bent on creating ruckus and threatening me wildly. Tell me who is at fault?”

Addressing the broader implications, he said, “Being a patriot that I am, I loathe anyone trying to create hate in the name of language, caste or religion especially after what transpired in Pahalgam... The matter got over and I sang Kannada for more than an hour. It's all there on social media.”

He concluded by appealing to the people of Karnataka: “I leave it upto the sensible people of Karnataka to decide who is at fault here... I have received divine love from Karnataka and will cherish it always with no malice whatsoever irrespective of your verdict.”

Famed playback singer Sonu Nigam found himself at the centre of a controversy because of his recent performance in Bengaluru, where a video captured him speaking to a group of fans who demanded he sing in Kannada.

According to a recent report, the Kannada film industry is now thinking about severing ties with the singer after the incident, which swiftly went viral, provoked criticism.

According to News18, the Karnataka Film Chamber of Commerce has scheduled a meeting in Bengaluru on Monday, 5 May.

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Representatives from the Music Directors Association, Directors Association, and Producers Association are expected to attend. One of the key discussion points reportedly includes the "possibility of refraining from engaging Sonu Nigam for Kannada movies in future projects." The move follows the recent onstage exchange, which many in the industry found objectionable.

Notably, the controversy also led to an FIR being registered at the Avalahalli Police Station. Nigam later posted a video explaining that he was "threatened" by a small group and urged the public not to judge the whole community based on the actions of a few.