Popular singer Sonu Nigam, who has sung in multiple Indian languages, has landed in a controversy after his "I feel like it would be better if I was from Pakistan" comment at a summit. The "Kal ho naa ho" hitmaker has slammed some journalists for missing "the real content".
"Sometimes in an attempt to make headlines catchy and sensational, some journalists miss the real content. Yesterday's AajTak Summit happened so amazing, and look what have they reduced it to...
"My point about being better off being born in Pakistan was about the music companies in India asking Indian singers to pay 40-50 per cent of their concerts remunerations to them, and only then they'll work with those artistes.. but they don't ask the same from the singers from abroad, namely Pakistan," Sonu posted on Facebook on Tuesday night.
"This was the important point I made... and these guys... changed it to 'I would have been better off born in Pakistan I'd have work come my way.' What do I say. Pathetic."
During the summit, the singer was talking about why so many songs are being remixed these days. "Sometimes, I feel like it would be better if I was from Pakistan. At least I would get offers from India," he joked.
"Nowadays, singers have to pay music companies for shows. If we don't shell out the money, they will play songs sung by other singers and highlight them. Then, they will take money from them," he said.
"They don't do the same with Pakistani singers. But then why single only Indian singers out? Atif Aslam is a very close friend of mine. He is never asked to pay to sing at shows, neither is Rahat Fateh Ali Khan," he added.
Sonu blamed this practice for the current trend of remix songs. "Earlier, the composers, lyr
Sona Mohapatra has slammed her fellow Bollywood singer, Sonu Nigam, over recent comments he made about Pakistani performers and in defence of composer Anu Malik, who was accused of sexual harassment recently.
In a series of tweets on Wednesday, Sona reacted to Sonu’s defence of Anu. “So much sympathy for a millionaire losing work? So much empathy for his privileged family being ‘tortured’?How about the scores of girls & women he tortured? Multiple testimonies not proof enough?” she wrote.
So much sympathy for a millionaire losing work? So much empathy for his privileged family being ‘tortured’?How about the scores of girls & women he tortured?Multiple testimonies not proof enough?
— SONA (@sonamohapatra) December 19, 2018
“Sonu Nigam backs Anu Malik on #MeToo: Where is the proof?” https://t.co/xGajdQQfT8
Sona continued that a ‘hundred’ women could attest to Anu’s ‘deplorable behaviour’ and wondered if Sonu wants every girl to carry recording devices on their person.
In response to his comments about Pakistani singers - Sonu had said that singers from across the border are taking away jobs that should go to local talent - Sona wrote, “Are Arijeet Singh, Badshah,Vishal Dadlani from Pakistan though?”
Are Arijeet Singh, Badshah,Vishal Dadlani from Pakistan though? 🤔
— SONA (@sonamohapatra) December 19, 2018
(U’ve had your moment under the sun dear. India anoints a new ‘Male Super Star’ every 3/4/5 years without fail. Don’t blame the Pakistani artists. Also do not mix up Art & Music with Politics & Idealogy. 🎶🙏🏽🔴) https://t.co/VIUNZVCgjt
She continued, “You’ve had your moment under the sun dear. India anoints a new ‘Male Super Star’ every 3/4/5 years without fail. Don’t blame the Pakistani artists. Also do not mix up Art & Music with Politics & Idealogy.”