Kannada filmmaker K Ramnarayan has taken a firm stance against singer Sonu Nigam following controversial remarks made by the singer at a recent Bengaluru concert. Despite Nigam's subsequent apology, Ramnarayan has decided to replace two songs sung by Nigam in his upcoming film, demonstrating that an apology alone is insufficient to address the perceived insult to the Kannada community.
The controversy arose after Nigam's comments during a concert in Bengaluru, where he responded to repeated requests for Kannada songs by allegedly linking the situation to the Pahalgam terror attack. According to reports, Nigam expressed discomfort with the tone of the requests and stated, "I had started singing Kannada songs even before he was born. This is why the Pahalgam attack happened... for such a kind of attitude. At least see who is in front of you before making such demands". These remarks triggered outrage among members of the Kannada-speaking community, leading to accusations of promoting linguistic discord.
In response to the uproar, the Karnataka Film Chamber of Commerce (KFCC) issued a directive to halt all professional engagements with Sonu Nigam. M. Narasimhalu, chairman of KFCC, stated that the chamber had unanimously agreed to enforce a non-cooperation policy against Nigam until he issued an unconditional apology. An FIR was also filed against the singer at Avalahalli Police Station, based on a complaint lodged by the Karnataka Rakshana Vedike (KRV). Following the backlash, Nigam offered an apology, stating, "My love for you, is bigger than my ego (sic)".
Despite the apology, the makers of the Kannada film Kuladalli Keelyavudo, directed by K Ramnarayan, have decided to remove a song sung by Sonu Nigam from the movie. The song, titled "Manasu Haadtade," was composed by Manomurthy and written by Yogaraj Bhat. The filmmakers released a press note explaining their decision, stating, "There is no doubt that Sonu Nigam is a good singer. But, we are very upset by how he spoke about Kannada recently at a concert. We cannot tolerate the insult Sonu Nigam has done to Kannada, so we have removed the song". K Ramnarayan replaced two songs sung by Sonu Nigam in his upcoming film, demanding consequences after the singer's controversial remarks on Kannada pride.
The film's producer, Santosh Kumar, has also declared that he will not be working with Sonu Nigam in the future. Kannada singer Chethan has been brought in to re-record the song, ensuring that the film features local talent. The KFCC had resolved not to cooperate with Sonu Nigam anymore.
This incident highlights the sensitivity surrounding linguistic pride and regional identity, particularly in the context of artistic expression. While Sonu Nigam has a long-standing history with the Kannada music industry, his recent remarks were deemed unacceptable by many, leading to professional repercussions despite his apology. The decision to replace his songs underscores the importance of respecting local sentiments and the potential consequences of perceived disrespect towards a language and its community.
