Kannada row: Sonu Nigam reacts to concert fiasco, says 'I won’t take humiliation at 51'

Singer Sonu Nigam, who landed in a soup for allegedly hurting the sentiments of Kannadigas during a recent musical event in Bengaluru, broke his silence on the ongoing issue via a social media post.

Taking to Instagram, the 51-year-old singer shared a heartfelt and detailed statement in which he defended his "deep respect" for the Kannada language, culture and people, while also expressing his disappointment at being "humiliated by someone as young as his son" during the live concert.

Addressing the incident that led to the uproar, Sonu, describing the moment as a personal humiliation, said, “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.”

The conflict occurred right after Sonu Nigam’s first song at the concert, when a group of individuals tried to disrupt the concert by asking him to sing Kannada songs. According to the veteran singer, despite politely assuring them that Kannada songs were part of his set list, the group continued to threaten him.

“Their own people were embarrassed and were asking them to shut up..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,” wrote Sonu.

Despite all this, Sonu stayed calm and completed the concert, singing Kannada songs for over an hour, something he claimed and said the visuals are available across social media platforms.

Sonu Nigam ended the statement saying he would leave the judgment to the “sensible people of Karnataka” and promised to accept their verdict without any resentment.

Meanwhile, an FIR has been registered against Sonu Nigam at the Avalahalli Police Station in Bengaluru. The Karnataka Film Chamber of Commerce (KFCC) has also decided to ban Sonu Nigam from the Kannada film industry for comparing the Pahalgam attack to the incident of the group demanding him to sing in Kannada.

In a video shared on social media, Sonu was heard saying: “Kannada Kannada...this is why Pahalgam happened.”