Singer Sonu Nigam recently caused a furore after a video clip of his Bengaluru concert went viral. In the video, the award-winning playback singer can be heard lecturing a section of the audience who were insisting that he sing in Kannada. Nigam, clearly annoyed, retaliated by berating the audience, leading to outrage among Kannada-speaking audiences. His words were seen by many as arrogant and contemptuous of the local language and culture.
Singer Issues Clarification
Following the uproar, Sonu Nigam tried to set the record straight by releasing a clarification. He stated that his intention had never been to insult the Kannada language or its population but to make the concert enjoyable for all. Still, in spite of his clarification the backlash has not tapered, and many voices from the Kannada film fraternity are still expressing disappointment.
In a major breakthrough, a fresh report by News18 indicates that the Kannada film industry can now take action in substance against the singer. As per the report, the Karnataka Film Chamber of Commerce (KFCC) is going to have a meeting on Monday, May 5, in Bengaluru. The Music Directors Association, Directors Association, and Producers Association representatives will attend.
Possible Ban On Future Collaborations
One of the most important on the agenda is said to be the future of Sonu Nigam in Kannada films. The report says that the industry is seriously contemplating not approaching the singer for any future work. “The Kannada film industry is preparing to distance itself from Sonu Nigam,” the report stated, suggesting that the fallout from the incident could have long-term implications for the singer’s association with regional cinema.
