Indian singer Sonu Nigam is a happier man in 2018. His decision to embark on a digital detox around mid-May last year, in which he swore off Twitter and deleted his WhatsApp account, has improved the quality of his life.
Now, the prolific hit maker — who will headline the concert entitled Shukran Dubai 2018: A Musical Journey of Immortal Melodies! in Dubai on January 12 at the Dubai Duty Free Tennis Stadium — claims he now has time for “actual work”. Plus, the singer now finds time to read books, listen to music from around the world and strum his guitar, all of which he side-lined as he tried to keep up with what was happening in the virtual world and responding to inane messages.
Barring posting occasionally on Facebook and Instagram (which he believes is a more controlled environment), Nigam believes that absolute freedom on a virtual platform with no ‘lagaam’ [reins] isn’t a good idea.
“I have decided that in my life I will not burden myself with stuff which is avoidable… People will only follow you for your comments, or to fight or to squabble. The Twitter promotion doesn’t help your music or your film. What has to work will eventually work based on its merit. Don’t try to outsmart God. The universe has a plan for everyone,” says Nigam in an interview with Gulf News tabloid! over the phone from Mumbai.
Music and movies have done well in the past when there was no social media promotion, Nigam points out. Merit is the only constant currency that works in creative fields, believes the singer, who will bring a 50-member entourage for his upcoming four-hour gig in the UAE, his 16th concert in Dubai organised by Oberoi Middle East Events.
But Nigam, who is known for his pitch-perfect stage performances and interactive shows, wasn’t always a paragon of mindfulness.
“I quit Twitter because it became a nuisance more than any assistance. Anybody has the right to say anything to anyone. For instance, I am talking to you now on the phone, but if I start abusing you I can be punished for it. You will write about me being bad-mouthed and question what my parents taught me… I will pay for it. But how do these guys go scot free?” asked Nigam.
He remembers a time when he was going through the legendary actor Amitabh Bachchan’s timeline and someone was swearing at the icon with the choicest of cuss words.
“There has to be some filter… complete freedom, human beings don’t deserve… Everybody doesn’t deserve unlimited freedom of saying or writing anything. People are using it in a wrong way,” he says.
But Nigam, who has hit songs including Kal Ho Na Ho and Suraj Hua Madham, doesn’t dwell on the negatives.
Ask him about how his controversy-addled 2017 and how the year had treated him, and Nigam’s response is measured. He wishes he had dedicated more time towards his spiritual awakening, but promises to make amends this year.
“Every year leaves a different kind of taste... So, work is great and lot of new things are happening. But my definition of success and a good year is no longer realised with just a good professional year. It has to be an overall fulfilling year. My insides have to feel fulfilled. My need for learning has to be fulfilled. 2017 could have been better, but I will make up for it,” Nigam says.
MORE ‘ME’ TIME
His 2017 highlights include going deep-sea scuba diving in Australia, hitting the gym religiously, and his recent performance at the star-studded celebration of Reliance Industries’ 40th anniversary in Mumbai.
“And the year ended on a beautiful note. Last night, I sang one of the best songs of my life for [composers] Salim and Sulaiman… I had goose-bumps,” says Nigam, who spent all night brainstorming with them and improving the track.
The year is also going to start with a bang, as he gears up for his UAE concert. His shows here have almost become an annual event in his life. Every year, he creates a new show, specifically for the UAE, and that concert format is taken forward globally.
“Dubai is like the Gangohtri of the Ganga [the origin of the holy Indian river] when it comes to the concerts. It’s always exciting to prepare for a new show and its production. We sit with a lot of enthusiasm and Nareshji [Oberoi, organiser] and his clan go on war footing for my concerts, so it is my responsibility to perform well and we do it with such enthusiasm. But remember, you can give your best, but the universe has to grant it to you,” he says.
His eagerness wanes when it comes to singing lyrics with sexual innuendos, an occupational hazard in the industry since “item numbers” with hyper-sexual lyrics are very popular. But Nigam isn’t gung-ho about singing them. He remembers a time when he rejected a song proposed by music director Himesh Reshammiya due to its racy lyrics.
“When I heard the words, I remember asking him what the hell is this and he said it’s the demand now. I told him: ‘I am not doing it, you do it if you want’,” Nigam said. A few days later, he got a call from Reshammiya who informed him that they aren’t going ahead with that song.
This singer, who will release a new single this month, claims his life philosophy is simple. He will work with people who aren’t shallow and as long as he has a striking voice, the world will continue to sit up and listen.
“We are relevant as long as we sing well,” he says.
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Don’t miss it!
What: Shukran Dubai 2018 — A Musical Journey Of Immortal Melodies!
When: January 12
Where: Dubai Duty Free Tennis Stadium
Time: 9pm (gates open 7pm)
Tickets: Dh125 to Dh2,000, available from platinumlist.net and Choithram and at the door.
Contact: 055-6360333/050-6984599
