Happy Birthday Sonu Nigam: 10 songs from the master that will turn back time
From cassettes to MP3s to streaming apps, Sonu Nigam has kept romance alive. Here's wishing him a very happy birthday!
On the occasion of Sonu Nigam's 46th birthday, we do the unenviable task of picking out ten songs that continue to ring loud, mellifluous, and close to our hearts
Yeh Dil Deewana, Pardes: Everyone went ‘Sim Sim Pola Pola’ over this patriotic romance. But before all else, there was Shah Rukh Khan zooming through Sin City…the wind in his air, whipping up a frenzy
Ab Mujhe Raat Din: The 'Lord of Chords' broke out big with his 1999 album Deewana. At the time, it picked up a nomination for the International Viewer’s Choice Award
Title track, Saathiya: This chartbuster swept all the awards, with Sonu winning his first Filmfare award for Best Male Singer. AR Rahman and Gulzar rounded out the trio. Best. Intro. Ever
As the story goes, Sonu wasn't available at first. Instead of bailing, Karan Johar held out for a month to ensure it was Sonu who sang, “Chaahe jo tumhe poore dil se, milta hai woh mushkil se'
Do Pal Ruki, Veer Zaara: This Lata Mangeshkar-Sonu Nigam colab remains devastatingly good. A truly great song in a great album spun from old Madan Mohan compositions. (also revisit Kyon Hawa…)
Piyu Bole, Parineeta: Emblematic of the film’s old world charm, this melody combined the vocal powers of Sonu Nigam and Shreyas Ghosal to stirring effect. Light, lush wizardry from two gifted masters
Dheere Jalna, Paheli: Restless, frail, ghostly. Basically, all things Paheli. A mysteriously powerful winner from the mid-2000s and a literal slowburn.
Mungaru Maleya: Though he made his Kannada debut in 1996, Sonu became a household name with this 2006 sensation. Even today, a Sonu Nigam concert in the state is without a Mungara Maleya encore
Zoobi Doobi, 3 Idiots: In this signature track, Shantanu Moitra's retro nods were matched by Sonu’s startling vocal range. A lovely homage that, a decade on, deserves homaging.
Soniyo: Forgettable film, unforgettable track. Declaration of love never sounded this Sonu-rous
